The Duke Innovation Co-Lab is place for faculty, students and visiting scholars to use technology in ways that are reshaping research, learning and service at Duke.
In February 2020, the Co-Lab brought renowned puppeteer and creative reuse artist Tarish Pipkins, aka “Jeghetto,” and globe-traveling filmmaker and storyteller Saleem Reshamwala, aka “Kid Ethnic,” in as artists-in-residence.
During their week-long visit at Duke, they hosted story-building and puppet-making workshops, and worked with students to write and fabricate the characters for this short film. After their week-long workshop, with the film nearly complete, the plan was for the two to return after a few weeks to finish up a few more shots and wrap up the project. Unfortunately, March 2020 had different plans, and the project remained on the shelf for nearly two years before the artists were finally able to return and finish things up this semester.
The final result is a delight to watch, and showcases the kind of collaboration at the Co-Lab that brings art and technology together.