Wael Shawky

Over the weekend I visited the MoMA PS1 exhibition from Wael Shawky entitled Cabaret Crusades. The majority of the exhibit featured 50+ marionettes showcased in glass cabinets. The puppets are the players in three hour long pieces retelling the history of the Middle East starting from the Crusades. It sounds undeniably over the top but the results are oddly compelling. The notion that you're watching puppets slips away once you're immersed in the dramatically lit sets and landscapes they traverse. Watch this video review (or this NY Times review) to get some history on the creations and plenty of great up close looks. It's every bit as unique as it is engaging.