Crankies are scrolling illustrations moved by hand through a puppet theatre-sized box. They are often made to accompany stories or songs. Crankies date to the 1800s and were originally called “moving panoramas”. In our increasingly digitally-immersed culture, I think they are ever more magical.
Goat in a Boat
My very first crankie, circa 2014, ink drawing on printer paper, housed in a matchbox theatre with two matches for spindles.
“Farewell Trion”, trad., from the playing of James Bryan.
Kelsey Wells – fiddle
Michael Hamilton – guitar
Prettiest Tree on the Mountain
Marker drawing on butcher paper in a 12×16″ wooden crankie theatre.
“Prettiest Tree on the Mountain”, by Ben Sollee.
Kelsey Wells – vocals, mbira