Circo Aereo
Encyclopedia
Circo Aereo is a circus group based in Finland
and France
, under the direction of Maksim Komaro, the artistic director, and Jani Nuutinen, the artistic consultant. This group was established in 1996 as part of the “new circus” movement and travels frequently around the world. Current members include Ilona Jäntti, Antoni Klemm, Maksim Komaro and Denis Paumier.
The circus is one of the most active Finnish group touring abroad, having appeared in theaters and in cultural festivals in about thirty countries. Circo Aereo has been called “a sparkling tribute to the circus” (Le Figaro
, France), “half circus, half cabaret” (Le Monde
, France) and “a treasure chest full of the things of which circus is made, filled with beautiful sights, meticulous joint efforts and inventive surprises” (Helsingin Sanomat
, Finland) . Circo Aereo also has held workshops for schools and circus performers, along with other educational projects.
In order to develop the concept of the traditional circus, Circo Aereo incorporates other art forms into its shows, such as elements of theatre and dance, with audience interaction playing an important part. Super 8 was created in 2004, which combined traditional magic tricks, super 8 films and elements of video games. Trippo was also created in 2004 and geared for children, playing mostly in Scandinavia
n countries and France.
In 2005, Circo Aereo created two musically dominant shows. The first was called the Louisiana Circus, co produced with the UMO Jazz Orchestra and in collaboration with Fritt Fall Rinne Radio, a Finnish electro-jazz band. This production consisted of six artists and twenty musicians, combining circus with a cabaret atmosphere.
In 2007, an air show called “Piece for Two Ropes” opened, choreographed by Sanna Silvernnoinen and another show called FUR! by Maksim Komaro, both with the aim of combining contemporary circus and contemporary dance. In the latter production, artists from various countries, traditions and specialties created their own variations of traditional movements. Circo Aereo has worked with Sirque, pole circus Nexon in Limousin
since 2007.
Circo Aereo’s most recent production is called “Espresso,” which is performed along with French juggling group Les Objets Volants
. The show features four artists who create scenes and stories, on the ground and in the air, with juggling, dance and aerials, but no words. According to director Maksim Komaro, Espresso is a journey through the history of circus, following Komaros own circus experience from the traditional to cabaret
and the contemporary circus of Europe. Espresso is one of Circo Aereo's biggest successes. Helsingin Sanomat called the work “a treasure chest filled with beautiful sights, meticulous efforts and inventive surprises,” while Le Monde said, “intelligence and virtuosity are embedded in the magical vignettes.”
The show was created in 2006, touring for three years in and around Europe especially in the Parc de la Villette
in Paris, at the Théâtre de Vidy-Lausanne in Switzerland
and the Damascus Opera House
, Syria
. In 2009, the show and the circus itself made its North American debut, performing eight eastern U.S. states. This tour was considered important to opening up the North American circus market to less-traditional shows. In 2011, Espresso and Circo Aereo returned to the continent to perform at Wabash College
in Indiana
, Brigham Young University
in Utah
and the Festival Internacional Cervantino
in Guanajuato
, Mexico
.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, under the direction of Maksim Komaro, the artistic director, and Jani Nuutinen, the artistic consultant. This group was established in 1996 as part of the “new circus” movement and travels frequently around the world. Current members include Ilona Jäntti, Antoni Klemm, Maksim Komaro and Denis Paumier.
The circus is one of the most active Finnish group touring abroad, having appeared in theaters and in cultural festivals in about thirty countries. Circo Aereo has been called “a sparkling tribute to the circus” (Le Figaro
Le Figaro
Le Figaro is a French daily newspaper founded in 1826 and published in Paris. It is one of three French newspapers of record, with Le Monde and Libération, and is the oldest newspaper in France. It is also the second-largest national newspaper in France after Le Parisien and before Le Monde, but...
, France), “half circus, half cabaret” (Le Monde
Le Monde
Le Monde is a French daily evening newspaper owned by La Vie-Le Monde Group and edited in Paris. It is one of two French newspapers of record, and has generally been well respected since its first edition under founder Hubert Beuve-Méry on 19 December 1944...
, France) and “a treasure chest full of the things of which circus is made, filled with beautiful sights, meticulous joint efforts and inventive surprises” (Helsingin Sanomat
Helsingin Sanomat
Helsingin Sanomat is the largest subscription newspaper in Finland and the Nordic countries, owned by Sanoma. Except after certain holidays, it is published daily. In 2008, its daily circulation was 412,421 on weekdays and 468,505 on Sundays...
, Finland) . Circo Aereo also has held workshops for schools and circus performers, along with other educational projects.
In order to develop the concept of the traditional circus, Circo Aereo incorporates other art forms into its shows, such as elements of theatre and dance, with audience interaction playing an important part. Super 8 was created in 2004, which combined traditional magic tricks, super 8 films and elements of video games. Trippo was also created in 2004 and geared for children, playing mostly in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
n countries and France.
In 2005, Circo Aereo created two musically dominant shows. The first was called the Louisiana Circus, co produced with the UMO Jazz Orchestra and in collaboration with Fritt Fall Rinne Radio, a Finnish electro-jazz band. This production consisted of six artists and twenty musicians, combining circus with a cabaret atmosphere.
In 2007, an air show called “Piece for Two Ropes” opened, choreographed by Sanna Silvernnoinen and another show called FUR! by Maksim Komaro, both with the aim of combining contemporary circus and contemporary dance. In the latter production, artists from various countries, traditions and specialties created their own variations of traditional movements. Circo Aereo has worked with Sirque, pole circus Nexon in Limousin
Limousin (province)
Limousin is one of the traditional provinces of France around the city of Limoges. Limousin lies in the foothills of the western edge of the Massif Central, with cold weather in the winter...
since 2007.
Circo Aereo’s most recent production is called “Espresso,” which is performed along with French juggling group Les Objets Volants
Les Objets Volants
Les Objets Volants is a juggling group from France that mixes juggling with humor, movement and theatre. The group has been producing shows in France and around the world since 1999, including elements of circus, theater, visual arts and even mathematics...
. The show features four artists who create scenes and stories, on the ground and in the air, with juggling, dance and aerials, but no words. According to director Maksim Komaro, Espresso is a journey through the history of circus, following Komaros own circus experience from the traditional to cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
and the contemporary circus of Europe. Espresso is one of Circo Aereo's biggest successes. Helsingin Sanomat called the work “a treasure chest filled with beautiful sights, meticulous efforts and inventive surprises,” while Le Monde said, “intelligence and virtuosity are embedded in the magical vignettes.”
The show was created in 2006, touring for three years in and around Europe especially in the Parc de la Villette
Parc de la Villette
The Parc de la Villette is a park in Paris at the outer edge of the 19th arrondissement, bordering the Boulevard Périphérique, which is a ring road around Paris, and the suburban department of Seine-Saint-Denis.-History:...
in Paris, at the Théâtre de Vidy-Lausanne in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and the Damascus Opera House
Damascus Opera House
Damascus Opera House is the national opera house of Syria. It is located in central Damascus, on the Umayyad Square. It was inaugurated on May 7, 2004.-History:...
, Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
. In 2009, the show and the circus itself made its North American debut, performing eight eastern U.S. states. This tour was considered important to opening up the North American circus market to less-traditional shows. In 2011, Espresso and Circo Aereo returned to the continent to perform at Wabash College
Wabash College
Wabash College is a small, private, liberal arts college for men, located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Morehouse College, Wabash is one of only three remaining traditional all-men's liberal arts colleges in the United States.-History:Wabash College was founded...
in Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and the Festival Internacional Cervantino
Festival Internacional Cervantino
The Festival Internacional Cervantino takes place each fall in the city of Guanajuato, located in central Mexico. This is a small colonial-era city with history of having a large cultural scene. The origins of the festival are from the mid 20th century, when short plays by Miguel de Cervantes...
in Guanajuato
Guanajuato, Guanajuato
Guanajuato is a city and municipality in central Mexico and the capital of the state of the same name. It is located in a narrow valley, which makes the streets of the city narrow and winding. Most are alleys that cars cannot pass through, and some are long sets of stairs up the mountainsides....
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.