the most complete world created by any circus i've seen. almost every audience member joins in with the action and comes in fancy dress. it blurs the boundaries between performer and public, it is full of walkabout characters, it's mixing references all over the place, it's burlesque, cabaret, gothic horror, freak-show, fairground, speak-easy, traditional cirus, contemporary circus, big spectacle anything goes so long as it's bigger, wilder, more debauched, shocking than the last and it's all counteracted with moments of stillness and beauty. there is so much DIY/counter culture goodness here, so home-made, so un-slick. I'd say this is where the growing edge of art is found, the bohemian, artist class gave way to the punks and the squatters and the political activists. these guy's are mirroring changes in radical 'youth' (used loosly as were all getting older) culture. maybe this is waht happened to the political youth of the 90's? They climbed trees to stop them being cut down then hung ropes off them. the building itself is a political statement, being as it is, an unused building whihc the circus squatted and negotiated a lease on. it's now art studios and a venue. we are taking over, they say frequently. i like to beleive we are.
the most complete world created by any circus i've seen. almost every audience member joins in with the action and comes in fancy dress. it blurs the boundaries between performer and public, it is full of walkabout characters, it's mixing references all over the place, it's burlesque, cabaret, gothic horror, freak-show, fairground, speak-easy, traditional cirus, contemporary circus, big spectacle anything goes so long as it's bigger, wilder, more debauched, shocking than the last and it's all counteracted with moments of stillness and beauty. there is so much DIY/counter culture goodness here, so home-made, so un-slick. I'd say this is where the growing edge of art is found, the bohemian, artist class gave way to the punks and the squatters and the political activists. these guy's are mirroring changes in radical 'youth' (used loosly as were all getting older) culture. maybe this is waht happened to the political youth of the 90's? They climbed trees to stop them being cut down then hung ropes off them. the building itself is a political statement, being as it is, an unused building whihc the circus squatted and negotiated a lease on. it's now art studios and a venue. we are taking over, they say frequently. i like to beleive we are.
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