Translucent horses gallop where theater meets the sky. These ethereal creations by the German theater troupe Pantao seem to materialize from a dream, blurring the line between puppetry and moving sculptures, and captivating audiences with their enchanting presence.
Wind Horses, or “Windpferde” in German, are large, puppet-like models that take on cloud- or ghost-like equine forms. These airy apparitions are manipulated on long poles, held high above the audience by skilled operators.
The magic of Wind Horses lies in their graceful movement. Their manes and tails dance in the wind; their dark eyes appear focused and thoughtful, and their heads tilt while their bodies seem to gallop and trot. These intricate puppetry techniques combine to create the mesmerizing illusion of horses gliding gracefully through the air.
During the performance, the sounds of neighing and breathing fill the air, further blurring the line between illusion and reality.
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