Puppet Show Crafted from Mississippi River Trash Debuts

The show, titled 'Riperion,' is entirely comprised of puppets made from scraps and debris from the Mississippi River, along with bits and pieces found on the streets of New Orleans.

The performance is a meditation on life along the Mississippi, addressing hardship, resilience, and the inherent beauty of the region.

From Playdoh's website, the work draws on over 150 years of river-dwelling history, reimagining the lives and resilience of those who have lived alongside the Mississippi.

These fragments, once part of the city's musical life, are now given new life in sculptural forms.

The performance takes place on a stage of barge wood and water basins, exploring a landscape constantly reshaped by water, where the boundaries between land and river dissolve.

The puppet festival comes at an opportune time, considering New Orleans' water and flooding issues, as well as water main breaks and saltwater intrusion.

The show focuses on the idea of learning how to live with water instead of against it, exploring what can be built from what has been discarded, both materially, culturally, and environmentally.

The work is an invitation to reflect on resilience and the ability to adapt in the face of environmental challenges.

The New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival offers a variety of shows and workshops, including a puppet parade.

The festival, taking place this weekend, offers a wide range of activities for attendees.

Detailed descriptions of each show and ticket information can be found on the Giant Puppet Festival website.

'Riperion' showtimes will be at Den of Muses, located at 51 Architect St, New Orleans: April 9 at 9pm, April 10 at 9pm, April 11 at 7pm, and April 12 at 9pm.

The event showcases how everyday objects and waste can be transformed into surprising artistic expressions.

The use of recycled materials and the theme of resilience in the face of environmental adversity are central themes in Playdoh Kolo's work.

The festival is a celebration of the art of puppetry and a call for reflection on the relationship between humans and the environment.