MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
A few days ago, I received an email informing me of the upcoming “Festival of Scrolling Panoramic Art” in Confluence, Pennsylvania on February 15, 2020. Although, I now live on the other side of the world from Pennsylvania, I was reminded of my magical experience last year as I traveled to the “World of Crankie.”
I invite you to journey with me . . .
In the hush of the jam-packed room, full of wide-eyed children and adults, we could hear it. We could hear it if we listened—if we paid close attention.
We could hear the distant crackling of wrinkled parchment and tyvec paper as it slowly rolled out before our eyes—displaying its unique images of crayon, torn paper, watercolor, ink, and acrylic paint. Storytellers had long-ago created the unique images in their hearts, souls, and minds.
We had just traveled to the magical “World of Crankie.”
Where Are We Going?
Traveling to get there, through the dark, country roads of southwestern Pennsylvania, I wasn’t exactly sure where I was venturing. Accompanied by a friend from the area, she knew the way to the small town of Confluence. No need for a GPS. It would be easy to find on this
Upon arrival, our eyes scanned the town square for the old church building that had been renovated into the Creative Arts Center of Confluence.
Tonight, it was hosting the “Festival of Scrolled Panoramic Art.”
We spotted a large building, lit up, with an overflowing parking lot and crowds of people coming and going through the door. We quickly determined that we had found our place.
After finally locating a spot in the overcrowded parking lot, we ventured through the building’s door, passing a number of jovial youth on our path. As we entered in, the crowd standing near the door—beer cans in hand—greeted us with surprised looks. We did not feel welcomed. It was a strange feeling. Where were we?
Surprise!
My friend and I quickly observed the scene and identified two jumbo, bright gold balloons floating in the air at the far end of the room—a “1” and “6”. Was it “61”? Was it “16”?
We turned to the men at the door—feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable. Clearly, we had crashed a birthday party, and we were uninvited guests.
“It’s my daughter’s 16th birthday party,” one of the gentlemen explained.
We had entered the wrong country—the wrong culture, the wrong world. Before exiting the door, we exchanged laughs and well wishes for an enjoyable evening.
Still not knowing where the Creative Arts Center was located, we finally resorted to using a GPS. It would guide us safely to the “World of Crankie.”
Front Row Seats
The quaint church off the beaten path of the town square was illuminated with red and green lights. It was warm and inviting.
Late from our little escapade in town, the silent and expectant crowd was already seated. The much-anticipated show was about to begin.
A delightful woman, with an artistic flare, greeted us and kindly escorted us to the front of the room—to the only empty seats in the house.
What a view! We had front-row seats on the magic carpet ride into this mysterious land.
Beginning with the sung story of “Cuckoo” and ending with the entire room joining in the familiar tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” the magical story experience flowed for nearly two hours. Time seemed suspended in this place called Confluence, Pennsylvania.
The descriptive words of song and narration of the skilled storytellers—some with accompanied instruments of banjo, piano, and ukulele—captivated listeners of all ages. We hung on every word.
Can You Hear It?
Yet, in between each word and held note of the storyteller, one could hear it. Oh yes, if one listened carefully and closely, one could hear it. It was the distant crackling of the wrinkled parchment and tyvec paper as it unrolled from it’s wooden stick—unrolling the “crankie” story.
In the darkened room, a light behind the scrolled paper illuminated the images—giving life to the characters and scenes.
Invited In
Viewers were invited to enter into the visual panorama, as the carefully crafted images scrolled before our eyes—some accompanied by animated shadowing puppets—causing our hearts and minds to dance with imagination.
Some stories led us into dark and scary places of pain and sadness—causing us to hold our breath. Other stories took us by the hand and escorted us into fields of flowers and lands of love and unity—evoking peace and joy.
They invited us into the story—to experience the magic, to feel the goosebumps. We were no longer mere listeners, observers, or bystanders on the sidelines. The storytellers beckoned us to journey with them.
It’s the “power of the ‘told’ story,” as I often describe. With each word, with each image, with each musical note, travelers entered further and deeper into the “World of Crankie.”
What is a “Crankie”?
“What is a ‘crankie’?” you may be asking yourself.
“Crankie” is a new term being used for a very old form of storytelling art, dating back to the 19th century. Back then, they were called “moving panoramas.” Although very much preserving it’s original form, modern-day artists are innovating and creating new ways of making crankies and new ways of telling stories.
The term “crankie” comes from the “cranking” mechanism that is turned to unroll the 30-100 feet of paper on which the story is portrayed through various forms of artwork. “Crankies” come in all sizes—from matchbox-size, using toothpicks for the crank, to extra-large full projector size “crankies” for an entire theater to view.
Although the size may vary, the rectangular, wooden box shape of the “crankie” typically remains the same—although there are new and unusual “crankies” coming on the scene.
“Crankie workshops” are now held around the world, as storytellers and carpenters (of all ages!) join hands to bring travelers into the “World of Crankie.” (See “How to Make a Crankie.”)
My words cannot fully express this magical experience.
I invite you to journey with me into the “World of Crankie.”
If you live near Confluence, Pennsylvania, don’t miss the upcoming “Festival of Scrolling Panoramic Art” on February 15, 2020!
If you live on the other side of the world, enjoy this “Online Crankie Fest.”
—The Cultural Story-Weaver
MY GIFT TO YOU—GET YOUR FREE EBOOK—“THE 5-DAY JOURNEY TO CULTURAL AWARENESS”!
—Let’s Weave Cultures!
Have you ever heard of a “crankie”? Have you ever seen a “crankie”? Watch some of the “crankie fest” videos and let us know what you think. If you live near Confluence, Pennsylvania, don’t miss the upcoming show on February 15, 2020!
We invite you to tell us your own cultural stories and global adventures . . . as you engage with the world, breaking down barriers, building bridges, and “weaving cultures”! Write about them in the comment box below.
