The Rise of Physicality in Performance Art: Beyond Traditional Circus
The contemporary circus is undergoing a fascinating evolution, moving beyond the traditional tropes of animal acts and huge tops. Productions like Skrējēji (Runners), created by German company Hippana.Maleta, exemplify this shift. This isn’t simply circus; it’s a compelling blend of physical theatre, dance, and live music, exploring the human condition through movement and skill.
Deconstructing Movement: Running as Metaphor
Skrējēji centers around two jugglers and a musician, using the act of running as a core theme. The performance isn’t about athletic prowess, but rather about what running represents – stress, survival, desire, and fear. This conceptual approach is increasingly common in modern circus, where physicality is used to explore complex emotions and ideas. The interplay between the jugglers, constrained by the rhythm and physics of their movements, and the musician, who responds and provokes, creates a dynamic and engaging experience.
The German Influence: A Hotbed of Innovation
Hippana.Maleta, based in Cologne, Germany, is at the forefront of this movement. The company, founded in 2018 by Alex Allison and Jonas Schiffauer, has garnered critical acclaim, including the ZirkusON award for Skrējēji and the Cologne Dance and Theatre Award for their more recent work, Inside Juggling. Germany has grow a significant hub for contemporary circus, fostering a creative environment that encourages experimentation and pushes boundaries. What we have is evidenced by the success of companies like Hippana.Maleta, who have toured extensively throughout Europe.
From Juggling to Emotional Exploration
The founders of Hippana.Maleta share a passion for juggling, but see it not as an end in itself, but as a “artistic language” to explore human experiences. Their work, including the award-winning Tunnel, demonstrates a commitment to creating emotionally resonant performances. This focus on narrative and emotional depth is a key characteristic of the new wave of circus, distinguishing it from more traditional forms of entertainment.
The Future of Circus: Blurring the Lines
The success of productions like Skrējēji suggests a growing appetite for performance art that challenges conventional categories. We can expect to see more companies blurring the lines between circus, theatre, dance, and music. This trend is driven by a desire to create more meaningful and thought-provoking experiences for audiences. The emphasis will likely remain on skill and physicality, but these elements will be used to tell stories and explore universal themes.
The Role of Sound and Music
The integration of live music is another defining feature of contemporary circus. In Skrējēji, multi-instrumentalist Moises Mas Garcia doesn’t simply provide a soundtrack; he actively participates in the performance, creating a “grotesquely comic tension” that enhances the overall experience. This highlights the importance of sound design and live musical accompaniment in creating immersive and emotionally impactful performances.
The Impact of Awards and Recognition
Awards like the ZirkusON and Emilio Zapatero awards play a crucial role in recognizing and promoting innovative circus productions. These accolades not only provide financial support but also raise the profile of companies like Hippana.Maleta, enabling them to reach wider audiences and continue pushing the boundaries of the art form.
FAQ
What is contemporary circus? Contemporary circus blends traditional circus skills with elements of theatre, dance, and music, often focusing on narrative and emotional depth.
Who are Hippana.Maleta? Hippana.Maleta is a German contemporary circus company founded in 2018, known for their innovative and emotionally resonant performances.
Where has Skrējēji been performed? Skrējēji has been performed in over ten European countries, including Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, and France.
What is the significance of running in Skrējēji? Running is used as a metaphor to explore themes of stress, survival, desire, and fear.
Where can I discover more information about Skrējēji? You can find more information and purchase tickets at https://cirks.lv/biletes/skrejeji/
Pro Tip: Look for smaller, independent circus companies – they are often the most innovative and experimental!
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