Friday, March 27, 2009

Circus Art

Cuff from Boudoir Queen A hundred years ago, the circus was the largest entertainment industry the world had ever seen. The spectacle of death-defying daredevils, strapping superheroes and scantily clad starlets, fearless animal trainers, and startling ‘freaks’ gripped the imagination, outshining theatre and ultimately paved the way for film and television.


Headdress by Sansa 222


Although we may not agree with the practices of the old circuses, it is the spirit of the circus that lives on. It’s a romantic vision of escapism and dark glamour. Today this spirit mingles with that of gothic and steampunk providing a platform for the weirdly wonderful. Some artists imbibe this spirit in their work and even in the text that accompanies this work. Here are a few.


The Ringleader’s Elephant Photo by The Stapelia Company


Vixen Acrobats in spun cotton by Vintage by Crystal



Amazing Eunice and Her Trusty Circus Cat print from Amber Alexander


Victor the Strong Man from Sayraphim



Julia Loopty Art Doll from Loopy Boopy


The past is .... a wonderful container of revelations. It is filled with ingredients that both delight and dismay. In the interests of truth and accuracy, it is best to contemplate them all: the good and the bad, the heroic and the shameful – the moments to celebrate and cherish alongside those to deplore and regret. In the breadth of our understanding of this vast human story lie both an escape from deception and a fighting chance for improvement, restitution and growth. Dr Raymond Evans, Historian, Griffith University



39 comments:

Lisa said...

circus always terrifies me- brings up old, creepy images of such a different world. these pictures for me today are timely, becasue they remind me that there is a shadow aspect of me i still try so hard to avoid........... i am shivering and shuddering abit but it is good too becasue now i can figure out why........thanks Chrisy- as always a wonderful post xx

Michelle said...

Gotta love the strong mans hairy chest!

I remember (vaguely) going to the circus as a child....so amazing!

AlpHa Buttonpusher said...

I absolutely hate circus, but I love these photographs, especially the first few.

Don said...

Beutiful artwork but I find the circus creepy.

ArtSnark said...

Excellent selection! Thanks for sharing such cool images

I wanted to run away with the circus as a kid ... before I read Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. (One of my favorite books growing up)

Splendid Little Stars said...

What a fascinating post! I have loved the circus in the past. It is just amazing the dangers some are willing to endure (high mountain climbing comes to mind). The feats are brilliant to watch, but the potential negative results take away the enjoyment for me.
Have you read the historical novel Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen? It is the story of one man's life in the circus set in the Great Depression of the 30s. After reading this, I did a little research on the history of the circus (mostly in the US).

Michelle said...

This is a bit weird...Ive replied to both your emails with the address???

Anyhoo its

56 Dean Pde
Lemon Tree Passage 2319

:0)

REread said...

love the strongman doll

nuvonova said...

Lovey post, I'm feeling really inspired by circus-esque things at the moment too... I am dieing to make a harlequin print jumpsuit!!

(love the blog banner by the way)

Karen Cole said...

Ever see the circus that Alexander Calder designed? It's wonderful.

Thanks so much for your comment. I am SO not free, though. That is why I am taking this online course.

ArtSparker said...

Brings to mind City of Lost Children...

and for Gothic Showmanship, I always recommend the Tiger Lillies

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhrGspR0yQo

boylerpf said...

Cute little creations. I read a book a while back on the life of a circus performer...can't remember the name...it was quite interesting!

The Stapelia Company said...

Something Wicked this Way Comes... wonderful book (someone mentioned it above). Great pieces. Thank you for posting one of mine. More to come...up next: bearded lady. And I received my wonderful package and if I'm not mistaken, I think I saw a Stapelia flower sketch in there. Thank you thank you! xoxo

willow said...

Wonderful little spun cotton foxes!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

AnastasiaC said...

we had the circus come to our suburb two weeks ago and i was just thinking how wonderful 'old school' circus entertainment was! maybe it was much more exciting when I was a kid!

Andrea said...

What a great post with so many fabulous finds!

Sam said...

Love you collection here! I think my all time favourite circus is the flea circus in "A bug's life" - the two Italian slater's crack me up!

elsiee said...

your entire blog is stunningly gorgeous - I just discovered you on an etsy forum thread and can't help but be your latest follower!! come on over and visit me sometime:

http://namaste-elsiee.blogspot.com/

Sue Furrow said...

Love your blog. Such a strange mind! But I love strange minds that can express themselves. I'm a follower now!

Trish Goodfield said...

I've never liked circus'. When we were kids my Dad made us watch the circus shows on Sunday night telly. I just wanted to watch The Wonderful World of Disney.

Chrisy said...

It's a delight for me to be able to read your comments. I learn so much...three more books recommended...have researched Alexander Calder (had no idea that he created intriguing circus'...only thoought of him as a modernist mobile creator)...and shared in your divergent feelings towards 'the circus'...thank you...

i cant sew said...

never have been a fan of the circus cause i remeber seeing them train elephants with a hook! but i do like your collection, especially eunice and her amazing cat :)
%*_*% rosey

Chrisy said...

Yes they have a dark history...I've never been to one and won't be going...nor would I visit a zoo or an animal park...I know they do some good things but the confinement of any creature seens wrong to me...and don't get me started on birds in cages...

memoriesforlifescrapbooks said...

Great finds! I think the old-style circuses would have been fun to visit :) Something different to do on a weekend.

Hey Harriet said...

Love that Loopty Art Doll. Actually I love all that you've shared here.

sudharm baxi said...

All the pieces were really beautiful. I particularly liked the first photo of the girl - beauty personified.

Good blog..

Renee said...

Of course I like the pictures but I love the little stories even more. Great post.

Good and bad Catholics, good and bad everything. But the Pope is beyond ridiculous, he is dangerous.

Thank you for doing meaningful work.

Renee xoxoxo

disa said...

AV,無碼,a片免費看,自拍貼圖,伊莉,微風論壇,成人聊天室,成人電影,成人文學,成人貼圖區,成人網站,一葉情貼圖片區,色情漫畫,言情小說,情色論壇,臺灣情色網,色情影片,色情,成人影城,080視訊聊天室,a片,A漫,h漫,麗的色遊戲,同志色教館,AV女優,SEX,咆哮小老鼠,85cc免費影片,正妹牆,ut聊天室,豆豆聊天室,聊天室,情色小說,aio,成人,微風成人,做愛,成人貼圖,18成人,嘟嘟成人網,aio交友愛情館,情色文學,色情小說,色情網站,情色,A片下載,嘟嘟情人色網,成人影片,成人圖片,成人文章,成人小說,成人漫畫,視訊聊天室,性愛,a片,AV女優,聊天室,情色

Anonymous said...

Do You interesting how to [b]Buy Viagra per pill[/b]? You can find below...
[size=10]>>>[url=http://listita.info/go.php?sid=1][b]Buy Viagra per pill[/b][/url]<<<[/size]

[URL=http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/link/viagra%2C%20tramadol%2C%20zithromax%2C%20carisoprodol%2C%20buy%20cialis/1_valentine3.html][IMG]http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/img0/viagra%2C%20tramadol%2C%20zithromax%2C%20carisoprodol%2C%20buy%20cialis/1_valentine3.png[/IMG][/URL]
[URL=http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/link/buy%20viagra/3_headsex1.html][IMG]http://imgwebsearch.com/30269/img0/buy%20viagra/3_headsex1.png[/IMG][/URL]
[b]Bonus Policy[/b]
Order 3 or more products and get free Regular Airmail shipping!
Free Regular Airmail shipping for orders starting with $200.00!

Free insurance (guaranteed reshipment if delivery failed) for orders starting with $300.00!
[b]Description[/b]

Generic Viagra (sildenafil citrate; brand names include: Aphrodil / Edegra / Erasmo / Penegra / Revatio / Supra / Zwagra) is an effective treatment for erectile dysfunction regardless of the cause or duration of the problem or the age of the patient.
Sildenafil Citrate is the active ingredient used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men. It can help men who have erectile dysfunction get and sustain an erection when they are sexually excited.
Generic Viagra is manufactured in accordance with World Health Organization standards and guidelines (WHO-GMP). Also you can find on our sites.
Generic [url=http://viagra.deutafilm.ru]buy generic viagra online in canada[/url] is made with thorough reverse engineering for the sildenafil citrate molecule - a totally different process of making sildenafil and its reaction. That is why it takes effect in 15 minutes compared to other drugs which take 30-40 minutes to take effect.
[b]Viagra Vasodilation
coffee laced with viagra
viagra substitute unsecured loan
is generic viagra as good
viagra in the water mp3
buy viagra safeway pharmacy
Viagra Generique En Ligne
[/b]
Even in the most sexually liberated and self-satisfied of nations, many people still yearn to burn more, to feel ready for bedding no matter what the clock says and to desire their partner of 23 years as much as they did when their love was brand new.
The market is saturated with books on how to revive a flagging libido or spice up monotonous sex, and sex therapists say “lack of desire” is one of the most common complaints they hear from patients, particularly women.

buy viagra said...

hi, I really enjoyed this information in this blog about Circus Art , I wonder if there are updates to this post, thanks!

Anonymous said...

torebki skórzane damskie
to torebki skórzane damskie , torebki kazar , torebka kuferek . torebki damskie skórzane , torby damskie ?

Anonymous said...

iphone 4 unlock
to how to unlock iphone 4 , iphone 4 unlock , . iphone 4 unlock , ?

Anonymous said...

how to unlock iphone 3gs
to unlock iphone 3gs , iphone 3gs unlock , . iphone 3gs unlock , ?

Anonymous said...

iphone 3gs unlock
to unlock iphone 3gs , iphone 3gs unlock , . unlock iphone 3gs , ?

Anonymous said...

unlock iphone 4
to iphone 4 unlock , how to unlock iphone 4 , . iphone 4 unlock , ?

Anonymous said...

how to unlock iphone 4
to how to unlock iphone 4 , how to unlock iphone 4 , . unlock iphone 4 , ?

Anonymous said...

projektowanie wnetrz bialystok
to projektowanie wnetrz , projektant wnetrz warszawa , . projektowanie wnetrz warszawa , ?

Anonymous said...

offline marketing
to marketing , offline marketing , . marketing , ?

Anonymous said...

A comprehensive suitableness program tailored to an own wishes unquestionably core on harmonious or more definitive skills, and on age-[3] or health-related needs such as bone health.[4] Many sources[citation needed] also cite mental, social and heated constitution as an substantial ingredient of whole fitness. This is over presented in textbooks as a triangle made up of three points, which show natural, poignant, and psychotic fitness. Incarnate seemliness can also avert or investigate numerous chronic fitness conditions brought on by insalubrious lifestyle or aging.[5] Working unconfined can also serve people snore better. To visit sturdy it is notable to agree in actual activity.
Training

Specific or task-oriented [url=http://www.pella.pl]fitness[/url] is a living soul's talents to fulfil in a identified with vigour with a tolerable know-how: as case, sports or military service. Individual to training prepares athletes to respond fully in their sports.

Examples are:

400 m sprint: in a sprint the athlete necessity be trained to redundant anaerobically throughout the race.
Marathon: in this specimen the athlete ought to be trained to work aerobically and their persistence have to be built-up to a maximum.
Scads run a risk fighters and police officers undergo unvarying good physical condition testing to end if they are masterly of the physically hard tasks required of the job.
Members of the United States Army and Army National Watchman must be able to pass the Army Physical Good shape Check up on (APFT).