Wow – what a contrast. I don’t think I’ve have ever been so unimpressed, and above all bored, with a circus performance before this evening! Sorry guys but this really was a piss take. Naïf Productions with « Des gens qui dansent » (People who dance) There is a huge variation in the quality and content of the work we see here – I understand this, but this performance was simply the most contrived and « intellectualized » that I think I’ve ever seen. It lasted an hour – which I estimate is about 55 minutes too long… (and discussions with another photographer after the performance made me realize that I wasn’t alone)
I have to follow certain rules when I take photographs of the circus companies – this evenings were fairly simple, no photographs during the monologue (which started the performance) which lasted a little more than 10 minutes… and then be careful in the quiet periods. Essentially this meant sitting for 50 minutes with the camera on my lap. I’ll look at the other 40 images I made later on…this is one that worked…for now…
Quick drive from CiRCa to the Centre Cuzin (the other side of town) and I met a couple of old friends (well, acquaintances really). I’ve photographed Serge and Colline a number of times over the past few years – and always with different companies – this time Les Mains Sales (Dirty Hands) is their own company.
The lighting was very difficult for this performance, and coupled with the fact that there were very few periods of ‘noise’ or music, almost impossible to photograph without having camera noises.
With a bit of luck Thursday (Day 7) should be more productive…