Sunday, June 9, 2013

The Performance Art Of Aerial Silk

By Grace Daniels


Aerial silk, which is also commonly called aerial acrobatics or contortion, refers to a type of performance art. During these acts, one more multiple artists do aerial acrobatics. This is all done as they are hanging from special silk fabrics that are suspended from the ceiling. Performers rely solely on training or skill, as they are not harnessed by in safety lines.

The performers start by climbing the suspended fabric. This is then used to swing, wrap, suspend, spiral and fall into an assortment of positions. These artists are known to strike figures and poses on these silk fabrics as they fly through the air. Some professionals will apply rosin on their feet and hands to ensure that they have a better grip of the fabric, and in an effort to increase the friction.

The fabrics that are employed for this process are flexible, strong and have some give. They will differ in size and are often fit to the preference of the performer or the style of the routine. Usually they are a length that allows rigging, the hanging of silks and hammocks. Generally, the fabric known as silks is a two-way polyester lycra that may have low or medium stretch. Beginners are more comfortable using that with low stretch and most professionals prefer medium stretch.

These performances revolve around tricks. There are different categorizations for the tricks done in aerial acrobatics, they include: climbs, drops and wraps. Climbs may be efficient and practical to athletic and elegant. Straddle and French are the two versions of climbs done by such performers.

Wraps are the static poses in which the aerialist wraps the fabric around various parts of the body. Usually, the more complex the wrap is, the stronger the friction and less power that is required to hold oneself in position. When it comes to drops, these performers wrap themselves high up on the silks and then allow fall into a lower position on the silk. This kind of trick demands strength and control, among many other skills. It is also considered very dangerous.

As a whole, these acrobats are flexible, limber and strong beings. They put a lot of time and practice into this art form and it shows in skills they gain. Strength, courage, power and flexibility are essential traits of these performances. They must also have a confidence in routines and their abilities so that they do not injure themselves while performing.

Most of those who participate in this type of performance art have positions in the entertainment industry or are part of a circus. They may even work for companies that are hired for special events, such as festivals, large parties and carnivals. Some acrobats do this as a hobby and are not involved on a professional level. Prices to book such performers will range and are often relative to the type of event, company, acrobats and performance requested.

Aerial silk is a form of performance art that is becoming more popular. This practice involves aerial acrobatics that are done by artists as they are suspended in the air on special strips of fabric. No safety lines are used to protect performers while they do wraps, drops, climbs and other aerial tricks on the silk.




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