[Podcast] Folk Art in the 4.0 Era: Automatic Water Puppetry Based on a Robot Platform

23 November, 2024

Keywords: Water puppetry; Automation; Puppets, Remote control, Traditional art; Puppetry 4.0

In the era of Industrial 4.0, the preservation and the development of traditional artistic values likewater puppetry is becoming more urgent than ever. In this context, the author of University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) carried out the project “Research, design, and manufacture of an automatic water puppetry system based on a robot platform”. The study focuses on applying remote control technology to automate the water puppetry system, helping this folk art to reach closer to the modern public. The combination of tradition and technology not only preserves but also enhances the value of water puppetry in the digital age.

Water puppetry often uses traditional instruments like zither, monochord and pipa to create music that fits the story. The water puppets, usually made from pine wood and covered in cotton, are uniquely designed, each representing a character in the story. They are attached to an intricate system of strings, and the puppeteer uses his hands, fingers, arms and legs to control their movements. Manipulating multiple strings simultaneously requires great skill and concentration. Water puppetry requires the coordination of music, lighting and puppet movements, with the puppeteer having to calculate the timing and the control to create a harmonious and captivating performance for the audience. In short, water puppetry is a complex and unique art, in which the puppeteer meticulously manipulates the puppets and combines them with music and lighting to create vivid and impressive works for the audience. The water puppetry performance stage is specifically designed with important elements listed as lake, screen, lighting, music and scenery. The center is a large lake creating conditions for the natural and smooth movement of the puppets. The water in the lake is pumped to create the effect of water like gentle waves. The screen, in the middle of the lake, hides the artisans and technical structures to make the performance mysterious and magical. The lighting plays an important role in creating a magical space and highlighting the puppets. In addition, using simple background and scenery forms complements the story and increases the aesthetic effect. The performance stage is not only a space where art, technique and acting blend but also a place to convey and preserve the traditional culture of the homeland through the art of water puppetry. This art is a cultural symbol that reflects the life, thoughts and feelings of the Vietnamese people since ancient times. However, in the context of modern society, when life is increasingly busy and information technology is developing rapidly, the preservation and development of traditional arts listed as water puppetry is facing many challenges.

One of the biggest difficulties is how to make water puppetry accessible to a wider audience, especially young people who have little access to traditional folk cultural forms. Concurrently, maintaining and performing water puppetry requires not only high skills but also a team of talented artisans, which limits its widespread dissemination.

Facingthese challenges, the application of technology to water puppetry, specifically the remote control system, has become a potential solution. The research of the UEH author aims to preserve the art of water puppetry to contribute to enhancing the value of this art in the new era. Through remote control, artists can perform without being physically present on stage, expanding access to more audiences and creating new experiences in the art of water puppetry.

The remote control system uses modern cybernetics technology that integrate servo motors and sensors to control the movements of water puppets precisely and flexibly. The control interface is designed to be user-friendly to allow artists to perform easily remotely through devices listed as computers or smartphones. This not only helps artists perform without being physically present on stage but also expands the accessibility of water puppetry to a wider audience.

Integrating robotic technology into water puppetry brings many important benefits. The automatic system helps save puppeteers’ time and effort, increasing stability and reliability in performance. In addition, the preservation and the sharing of performance techniques are improved, helping to preserve and to develop the art of water puppetry. Using recycled materials in robots not only reduces costs but also demonstrates creativity and environmental protection. The research results demonstrate the stable performance of the system and the ability to successfully perform water puppetry tasks and attract a large number of young people interested in traditional cultures.

Experimental results in actual performances have demonstrated the effectiveness of this solution. The artisans highly appreciated the convenience and efficiency of the system as they could control the water puppets remotely while still ensuring the quality of the movements and performances. The audience also responded positively to the novel experience of watching remote-controlled water puppetry, presenting the potential of the system to bring different and interesting artistic experiences.

This research has solved the current problems that water puppetry is facing and opens up new opportunities for the development of this art form. The application of the remote control system can help water puppetry reach more audiences while creating new artistic experiences in the digital age. This contributes significantly to the preservation and development of the traditional cultural values of Vietnam in the present era.

The full-text article Research, design, and manufacture of an automatic water puppetry system based on a robot platform can be found HERE.

Authors: Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Truong Thinh, Mr. Nguyen Minh Trieu, Dr. Dang Tri Dung – University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH).

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News, photos: Authors, UEH Communications and Partnership