Artist Statement
These creations are made with upcycled cases like suitcases, computer cases, aquariums and more.
When I have an idea for a story I will try to compress that story to its most important story elements and then I will create the draft sound track for that story. After that, I would create all the materials like the puppets, the environment and shape the suitcase or case to work as a performance stage. If there is any changes to the sound that are required I get those done as I work on the materials.
Once the sound and materials are assembled and arranged, I rehearse and practice telling the story that gets baked into the suitcase with all the upcycled puppets and props.
Through the constant repetition of presentation and rehearsal, I discover new moments or new elements that can be presented and I try to add in those changes immediately. I've found that even though I could share the same 2-3 minute story dozens of times, each time will still be different depending on the audience and circumstances.
The Suitcase Theatre Arcade is a performance art installation where miniature puppet show creators share their work in a pop-up arcade type of space. Audience who experience The Suitcase Theatre Arcade get invited to zone in on the different miniature worlds built into upcycled spaces and puppeteers present the stories contained inside.
I'm inspired by so many things like storytelling, technology, philosophy and theatre. I'm inspired by how humanity relates to materialism and how materials can be deconstructed to find new meaning and to even tell stories.
I also love the ways people zone in on imaginary worlds whether it is through puppetry and theatre or through video games and sound or through some sort of transmedia/multimedia experience to tell different parts of a story across mediums.
Artist Biography
My name is Kyle Hinton aka Simulations, and I'm a multi-disciplined artist dedicated to creating and exploring at the intersection of art and technology - working across app development, puppetry, sound, performance and writing. I love to create interactive experiences, exploring philosophy and bringing the imaginary worlds to life.
The Suitcase Theatre Arcade transforms suitcases, computer cases, aquariums, and other compact containers into miniature puppet stages. Audiences are invited to zone in on miniature worlds or even help conjure them into existence. We love bringing together miniature puppet shows from all over to collectively create an experience like going to the Arcade and serving something playful.
Through The Simulacrum, I develop and produce projects that explore how emerging technologies — including blockchain, NFTs, and decentralized networks — can reshape the ways artists present, distribute, and sustain their work. These experiments contribute to a growing culture of digital ownership, art collection, creative autonomy, and networked storytelling.
Whether analogue or digital, my work is a call to reimagine what’s possible — in how we tell stories, build systems, and make meaning, while exploring this stellar existence.
suitcasetheatrearcade.com
kylehintonprojects.com
Instagram: @kyle.simulations
Profile illustration by SiLo