P U P P E T M A K I N G!
“It’s so amusing to keep well hidden and make someone come to life; to create that little doll that goes in at the eyes of every spectator to strut and posture in his mind”.
-Paul Claudel
Discover my journey into puppet making and explore my thesis, “Los títeres y las marionetas en el teatro.”
Don Enrique “Quique”
This stop-motion puppet is my personal reinterpretation of a beloved character from La Pobre Viejecita, a poem by Colombian writer Rafael Pombo that holds a special place in my heart. My mom used to recite it to me often when I was a kid, and she’d even reference it jokingly when talking about certain people in real life.
The original viejecita was never given a name, so I reimagined her as an old man—Don Enrique, or “Quique”—as a tribute both to the poem and to my grandfather, whose name was Enrique. This character became a way for me to hold onto a childhood memory and bring it into the present.
Crafted for stop-motion animation, Don Enrique was made using traditional techniques with careful attention to detail. Eventually, I’d love to create short clips of him doing small, everyday actions—like playing the guitar (just like my grandfather) or sweeping the floor—simple moments inspired by ordinary life and the whimsical tone of the poem.
You can read La Pobre Viejecita by Rafael Pombo below.
M E E T T H E
C H A R A C T E R S!
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Don Genio
"Don Eugenio, known as 'Genio,' was my neighbor in Quebrada Camuy, on Hipólito Street — a humble jibarito puertorriqueño in his eighties. He spoke with a rhythm that felt like poetry, weaving stories and anecdotes with every word. Every afternoon, as I returned from school, I’d find him tinkering with two old cars, relics of his time, or sitting down to play dominos with the “vecinos”. His character and presence left a lasting imprint on my childhood memories."
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Ehh Pan!
Inspired by the traveling bakery truck that passed through my childhood neighborhood.
"Ehhh pan, pan..." was the chant he called through a megaphone, echoing through the streets. The vendor, always kind, sold bread, milk, eggs, cheese, and sweets — sometimes gifting little bags of candy and bright school pencils with big erasers on special days. As a child, I would call out to my mother, "Mami, viene ehh pan!" That sound stayed with me, echoing in my mind ever since. -
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David Muñoz
David, my theater teacher, had a huge impact on my life. When I moved to Puerto Rico, I only spoke English, and theater classes helped me with my pronunciation and reading while practicing scripts and acting. What started as a way to learn quickly became the foundation of my self-esteem and confidence. David’s strong personality, kindness, and way of teaching shaped who I am today. He’s not just a teacher — he’s been a mentor, a friend, and someone who’s always left a mark on my life.
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Bruno Horny Hats
Bruno Horny Hats" is a playful self-portrait that explores the idea of identity and transformation. The character of Bruno embodies a part of me, exaggerated and surreal, where elements of humor, exaggeration, and character come together. The hats in the piece represent layers of persona, each one creating a new narrative. Through this work, I invite the viewer to step into a world of whimsy and self-reflection, questioning what shapes us and how we express ourselves.
C R E A T I V E P R O C E S S
C A L L E I P Ó L I T O
A figurative series inspired by the characters who shaped my childhood as I navigated life as a kid migrating from New York City to Puerto Rico.
Brought to life through an interactive puppet installation, this work transforms personal memories into a shared space where viewers are invited to engage, reflect, and play.
BEHIND THE SCENES
