‘Digital Puppetry System’ Wins Gold Medal and Special Award at iCAN 2024
- 2025
- News
- Department of Cultural and Creative Arts
The ‘Digital Puppetry System: Connecting Generations and Cultural Heritage with Novel Technology’, led by Prof Hung Keung from the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts (CCA), won the Gold Medal and Special Award at the 9th International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada (iCAN 2024). This system technologises puppets by rendering traditional puppetry performance techniques as interactive graphic animations, modernising and reactivating cultural heritage using the latest technology.
Traditional puppetry, first recorded in the 5th century BCE, flourished as a popular form of entertainment from the 18th to the 20th centuries. However, the advent of films and animations has endangered this art form, threatening its techniques and craftsmanship. The Digital Puppetry System enables the young generation to create novel narratives based on traditional tales and customs, fostering a deeper connection to their cultural roots and exploration of cultural storytelling channels. It provides a handy, modern solution to preserve such endangered cultural heritage and sparks a global resurgence in this timeless art.
The Digital Puppetry System gamifies marionettes as shadow puppetry via generative image creation and real-time interaction. It seamlessly synchronises the motions, speeds, and rhythms of both physically controlled and digital puppets, creating a stunning visual experience. By leveraging motion-tracking and sensing technology, along with computer graphics and programming, the system integrates Asian and Western elements into an integrated puppetry performance. Additionally, it leverages 3D printing technology to comprehensively document puppet design, fabrication, and manipulation techniques, facilitating the preservation and exchange of puppetry traditions. This innovative approach offers unprecedented precision and fluidity while revitalising the art form and promoting cross-cultural appreciation within communities.
Digital Puppetry employing 3D printing technology
Prof Hung Keung showcases the Digital Puppetry System
