Family Theatre / Theatre of the Family. The Relationship to the Puppet as a Key Principle of Rada's Figural Work
Abstract
The chapter by Vendula Fremlová, entitled Family Theatre / Theatre of the Family. The Relationship to the Puppet as a Key Principle of Rada's Figural Work, presents Rada's figural output, both based on his family's influences and on the construction principles of puppets, puppet theatre and the experiments in film, scenography and set design in Rada's portfolio which have only been marginally reflected upon to date, even though they play quite an essential role in his work.
The pivotal principles of Rada's figurative work are to be found in the puppet-like nature of his sculptures and his ability to animate objects. The application of these principles is evident not just in parts of his sculptures, but especially in the installation at Dům kazatelů [the House of Preachers] on Bethlehem Square in Prague (1968), where Rada deliberately worked with the principles of black light theatre and luminescent colours.