Dancing tubes of toothpaste, bantering bobby pins, and a crooning cell phone are a few of the enchanting characters in The Seven Wonders of the Modern World, artist Pablo Cano’s new multi-media marionette production that premieres at the Museum of Contemporary Art on May 7. With a nod to the Theater of the Absurd, The Seven Wonders of the Modern World takes a uniquely entertaining look at discoveries and ideas that have shaped contemporary life. Featuring marionettes created by Cano from found objects, a lively script by playwright Carmen Peláez, choreography by Katherine Kramer, and melodies from 16th century overtures to 20th Century show tunes, the production takes audiences on a rollicking ride through some of the remarkable advances of our time. When not in performance, the marionettes and set will be on view at MOCA as an exhibition. For tickets and information, please call 305.893.6211 or visit www.mocanomi.org.
The Seven Wonders of the Modern World, Pablo Cano’s 12th annual marionette production commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art, is made possible in part with a grant from The Jim Henson Foundation and The Peacock Foundation. In addition to the six public performances on the weekend, there will be special performances for 2,000 schoolchildren during the week.
The inspiration for The Seven Wonders of the Modern World came from the historic election of Barack Obama. With his cast of 12 marionettes, Pablo Cano explores the themes of change and hope by highlighting seven phenomena that he believes have improved the way we live in this world. The master of ceremonies, a marionette with Obama’s likeness constructed with a grandfather clock, engage various “wonders” from rockets composed of coffee cans to “Amazonia” “Googleina” and “Facebooka” with ukulele bodies and basket heads.
Tickets are $10 for MOCA members, North Miami residents and City of North Miami employees; $15 for non-members; $3 for children under 12. Advance reservations and payment are required as seating is limited. For tickets, please call 305.893.6211.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is located at 770 NE 125th Street, North Miami, FL, 33161. For information, call 305.893.6211 or visit www.mocanomi.org.
Museum hours:
Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm; Wednesday, 1 pm to 9 pm; Sunday, noon to 5 pm.
Museum admission: Free for MOCA members, North Miami residents and City of North Miami employees and children under 12; $5 adults; $3 for seniors and students with ID. Please note, there is a separate ticket fee for performances of Pablo Cano: Cavaletti’s Dream. Tickets are $10 for adults for MOCA members, North Miami residents and City of North Miami employees, $15 for non-members; $3 for children under 12. For tickets, call 305.893.6211.
Pablo Cano was born in Havana, Cuba in 1961, Cano’s influences include traditional marionette theater and performance art by the Dadaists of the 1920s. Materials for his marionettes come from Miami thrift stores and streets of his Little Havana neighborhood. Cano’s first mediums included painting, drawing, and ceramics. At the age of 18, he began his study of Cuban art and identified with the work of artists such as Enrique Riberon, Amelia Palaez, Wifredo Lam, and others. During his 20’s, he became fascinated with the work of Russian Constructivist artist Alexandra Exter. Inspired by Exter’s work and the use of found objects in Dada art, Cano began his own adventure in creating marionettes, taking advantage of the wide range of materials discarded on city streets. As a performance artist, he continually explores the challenges of space, movement, color, light and sound. In addition to MOCA, North Miami, Cano’s work has been exhibited at museums and other venues around the country, and he has performed and exhibited in New York at Lincoln Center Out of Doors and Lincoln Center Gallery. He holds a B.A. degree from Maryland Institute College of Art and an M.F.A. degree from Queens College in New York.
Katherine Kramer, Choreographer has collaborated with Pablo Cano on seven MOCA projects. Her broad experience as a performer, choreographer and teacher ranges from appearances in concert with tap masters Honi Coles, Brenda Bufalino, and Gregory Hines, to serving as movement coach and choreographer for Robert Redford in his film, The Horse Whisperer. She directed her own company for many years and has toured two one-woman shows. In Miami she has created a number of events featuring live jazz music, poetry, tap and movement improvisation. Kramer produces an international summer dance and music festival, Rhythm Explosion, in Montana. She is the recipient of a Fulbright Award and Creation Fund Grant from the National Performance Network.
Carmen Peláez, Playwright
Carmen Peláez, a dynamic writer and performer, has performed her solo play RUM & COKE to raves in LA, Chicago and Miami, and off Broadway at New York’s Abingdon Theater. Currently, she’s developing her television pilot, JULIA, THINK, a new play FAKE and a series of one act plays LOTERIA. This is Carmen Peláez second marionette theatrical collaboration with Pablo Cano,