1. Nella Della

rod puppet
Wiplala (1999)
director Reeda Toots, designers Karmo Mende, Mare Kõrtsini, Martin Nurm

For a rod puppet to be as light as possible in the hand, foam rubber is often used for its body. However, the problem with foam rubber is that it deteriorates quickly over time.

A rectangular display case about 180 cm tall with a slanted top. Two sides of the case are black; one of them carries the white text introducing the exhibit. On the right edge of the same side, about 80 cm from the floor, are the exhibit number, the NFC symbol and a QR code — scanning it lets you experience the exhibition in an accessible way.

The other two sides of the case are glass, and the puppet can be seen through them. Depicted on one glass side is the X-ray image of the puppet inside the case, together with keywords naming the materials the puppet is made of.

Nella Della

rod puppet
Wiplala (1999)
director Reeda Toots, designers Karmo Mende, Mare Kõrtsini, Martin Nurm

For a rod puppet to be as light as possible in the hand, foam rubber is often used for its body. However, the problem with foam rubber is that it deteriorates quickly over time.

Nella Della is a girl about 80 cm tall, sitting on a black case. Her reddish-beige hair, made of tow string, is tied in a ponytail. The puppet has big green plastic eyes, long eyelashes, black eyebrows and red lips, and ears that stick out slightly from her head. Her body is covered with light beige terry cloth.

The girl wears a beige long-sleeved dress with reddish-brown stripes, and heeled boots of the same colour.

Attached to Nella Della's hands are hanging metal control rods with wooden handles at their ends.

In the X-ray image, the brightest and almost only visible parts are the puppet's almond-shaped plastic eyes — you can find the material on the materials table, at number 14 — her downward-curving wire mouth, and her hands. The control rods are attached to the hands with metal plates.

You can find a tactile drawing of the puppet's X-ray image at exhibit 12, the light table.

Nella Della
rod puppet
Wiplala (1999)
director Reeda Toots, designers Karmo Mende, Mare Kõrtsini, Martin Nurm

This puppet must be light,
because the puppeteer holds it in the hand.
Foam rubber is very light,
but it breaks down quickly.