CIRCUS MAGICUS PASSION, IMAGINATION, SENSATIONS Explore the magic of the circus, immerse yourself in a fabulous universe of wonder and daring, laughter and emotion : this is the highly charged program awaiting visitors of the Circus Magicus exhibition. Produced in cooperation with Cirque du Soleil and sponsored by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited, the exhibition is presented at Québec's Musée de la civilisation from June 10, 1998 to March 12, 2000. Circus Magicus leads us to discover a world in motion, always in search of new challenges to be met and of new frontiers to be crossed. A prodigious gathering of artistic expression as numerous as varied, some deriving from ancient traditions, whether named Circus Maximus, Big Apple Circus, Fingling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus, Cirque Archaos, Cirque Oz, Cirque du Soleil, whether traditional or contemporary, the circus bewilders, the circus captivates...Through the history and the great features of the modern circus, visitors of the exhibition are drawn in to understanding the fascination it exerts, not only on the general public but also on those who have made it a means of expression and, at times, a way of life. Fascinating artefacts Costumes, personal effects, apparatus, devices, masks, trapezes, scale models, engravings, lithographs, musical instruments, posters...the 200 artefacts on display in the exhibition derive directly from the circus; they belong to or once were the property of circus performers from Europe, America, and the world over. They are part of celebrated public and private collections. These magnificent objects, whether ancient or contemporary, embody the spirit of the circus ring. They bare the unique signature of a legendary artist, an outstanding performance, a revolutionary invention or an extraordinary act of bravery. Audiovisual displays also take up a major part of the exhibition. Presented together with different parts of the exhibition are interviews with contemporary circus artists, excerpts from archive films (such as training, risks and dangers inherent to the profession), excerpts from shows, parades under the Big Top, performers' acts (clowns, jugglers, etc.). And, though the circus is above all a visual art, music has always played an important part : the public can experience different types of traditional and contemporary circus music. The circus in three settings A short introduction to the exhibition pays tribute to public entertainers and briefly relates the amazing adventure of the circus. The exhibition then moves on to three of the aspects that connect the leading figures involved (performers, creators and spectators) : passion, imagination and sensations. The passion or dedication...of artists and artisans of the ring From its distant origins - modern circus with its 13-meter diameter ring dates back to the end of the Eighteenth Century - the circus has forever dealt in passion. Whether jugglers, trapezists, riders, tightrope walkers, acrobats, lion tamers or clowns, the discipline and whole way of life of these artists of the road, these great legends of the ring, are strong evidence of their passion. Body and soul, they are dedicated to perfecting their art, to surpassing their limits, and at times, even challenging death. With passing years and wide travels, the circus has been exposed to exterior influences, ensuring its constant renewal. Passion also rules when the people of the circus pass on their trade, from generation to generation, either within the family or in specialised circus schools. The imagination or the power of dream....of its creators Authentic dream-merchants, the creators of the circus put their heart and soul into the show, blending colour, rhythm and magic to stir up the fantasies of a public in search of emotion. Along with the evolution of techniques, of fashions and of the public's taste, circus style has greatly evolved and the somewhat wild imagination of its creators has found new sources of inspiration. Through the magnificence of its costumes, the splendour of its sets, the extravagance or deliberate austerity of productions, the magic of lighting and music, the spectator is carried away in a world of make-believe. In turn, the new generation brilliantly revives the language of modern circus, drawing from the world of painting, theatre and poetry. The emotions...of a public in quest of sensation World of odours and of unusual sounds, where the sublime mingles with the grotesque, perfection with abnormality, where wild animals join forces with mankind, where laughter often turns to tears, the circus meets this human desire to be moved by unusual emotions and bizarre sensations. Here, surprise and anguish, laughter and marvel are the key emotions. The public lights up at the sight of elephants marching into the ring, of the tiger leaping through a hoop of fire, of the acrobat chimpanzee or the juggling sea-lion...At times tension rises giving way to anguish until the clown, -inescapable personage of the modern circus- makes an appearance : suspense is dispelled, danger, dismissed. A circus atmosphere The design of Circus Magicus speaks of passion, imagination and emotion, with each of the three exhibition areas characterized by its own colouring and texture. With velvet curtains, glimmering reddish tones and objects that seem to float in the air, the first area (passion) presents an almost mystical ambience. The second area (imagination) recreates the spectacular atmosphere of a circus ring surrounded by the traditional ringside seats. The last area (emotion) leads to an explosive finale where sound and lighting emphasize the effects of realism and surprise. Circus Magicus, a rendezvous with emotion at Québec's Musée de la civilisation, from June 10, 1998 to March 12, 2000. An exhibition produced in cooperation with Cirque du Soleil and sponsored by Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. Following the Québec presentation, Circus Magicus sets out upon a grand tour of North America. Serge Poulin Issued : June 9, 1998. © Musée de la civilisation