DISCOVER CIRCUS ARTS AT THE HEART OF RESEARCH
Research plays a fundamental role in the development and evolution of circus arts. This forum is a unique opportunity to explore in depth the impact of research on our artistic community. From innovation to safety, through professional development and artistic exploration, we will examine how research shapes our practice and contributes to its excellence.
Who should attend:
This forum is open to all members of the circus arts community: artists, researchers, teachers, students, and enthusiasts. Whether you are interested in innovation, safety, professional development, or artistic exploration, this event is a valuable opportunity to engage in stimulating and enriching discussions.
On the agenda:
10:30 a.m. Presentation by the Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec
11:00 a.m. Daigle/Saire Presentation
11:30 a.m. Member Input
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Research Panel
2:15 p.m. Conference on the CRITAC and "Confidence by Design" project
3:30 p.m. Knowledge Cafe
4:45 p.m. Feedback
The registrations are now open. Stay tuned for more information on our speakers. To stay up to date with the latest updates on the forum, follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter.
Join us on April 9 for our Annual General Meeting and an exciting day of reflection, sharing, and inspiration on the importance of research in circus arts. We look forward to seeing you there!
The En Piste Team
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS ON DATA AND DISSEMINATION
OBSERVATOIRE DE LA CULTURE ET DES COMMUNICATIONS DU QUÉBEC
10:30 a.m.
The importance of strategically using statistics.
The Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec is a sectoral division of the Institut de la statistique du Québec. Its mission is to produce and disseminate official statistical information on the cultural sector. Since 2004, the Observatoire has been conducting the Survey on Attendance at Shows in Quebec. Every two months, it collects data on paid performances in the performing arts offered by all establishments that host shows or own venues. The results are then published in the form of tables on the Institute's website (https://statistique.quebec.ca/) and through annual bulletins.
The strategic use of statistics plays an important role in understanding and developing the performing arts sector, including circus arts. The OCCQ conference, led by Geneviève Béliveau-Paquin, director of the Observatory, along with Lysandre Champagne and Chantal Prud'homme, research professionals, will provide further insights into the Observatoire, data concerning circus arts, and the development of this field in recent years in Quebec. It will also be an opportunity to present the changes made to the Survey on Attendance at Shows in 2024, from which circus arts will benefit.
Survey on show attendance in Québec
STUDY OF AUDIENCE FOR PERFORMING ARTS IN QUEBEC
11:00 a.m. - not broadcast
Presentation of part of the results of the study on audience for performing arts in Quebec
Discover the captivating presentation by Pierre-Olivier Saire, addressing a crucial topic: "The national, disciplinary, and geographical profiles of audiences and non-audiences, as well as the factors influencing attendance." The first edition of this study, conducted in 2018 and commissioned by the GTFAS, was a true benchmark, providing an in-depth and precise analysis of the current situation.
In the unprecedented context of the pandemic, this second edition takes on particular significance. We will have the opportunity to examine the impacts of this health crisis on our audiences and to ascertain whether trends are emerging in terms of attendance.
1pm - PANEL DISCUSSION
Circus arts and research: a reciprocal relationship
A discussion on the research experiences surrounding circus arts from our four panelists, providing insight into the richness and diversity of topics and practices andtheir role in the development and promotion of our discipline. At the heart of the discussions is the reciprocal relationship between circus and research, and the importance of collaboration between researchers and artists.
MATHILDE PERAHIA
Moderator
Mathilde Perahia holds a PhD from Concordia University. Today, as an independent researcher and artist, she focuses on the relationship between the evolution of circus performative forms and social representations. Serving as a social circus instructor in various programs as well as rope artist, she explores practices that place the body at the center of a process of changing one's relationship to the world. In this context, her recent experience of motherhood has led her to embark on a creative project on the theme of becoming a mother.
GENEVIÈVE DUPÉRÉ
Combining circus, science, and ecology, the complexity of ecosystems engages Geneviève Dupéré along the Saint Lawrence River. Holding a PhD in research-creation, she has been developing écH2osystème since 2017, while teaching in the Master's program in environment at UdeM and at the National Theatre School. From circus to opera, 25 years of creative work have led her to projects including Avudo (2017, 375th MTL, Cie Finzi Pasca), Luzia (2016, Cirque du Soleil), and 2 Olympic ceremonies (2014, Cie Finzi Pasca).
SEBASTIAN KANN
Sebastian Kann graduated from the National Circus School and holds a Master's degree in Dramaturgy from Utrecht University. He spent 2 years as a researcher with "The Circus Dialogues", and his open letter to the circus community (the 3rd one) as well as the book "Thinking Through Circus" are his most well-known writings. Bridging circus and contemporary dance, he is currently creating "Topical Dance", a solo performance scheduled to be staged at La Chapelle this November.
NAILA KUHLMANN
Naila Kuhlmann is a postdoctoral fellow at McGill University and a research associate at CRITAC. After completing her PhD in neuroscience, Naila led Piece of Mind, in which she brought together neuroscientists, artists, and individuals with neurodegenerative conditions to co-create performances based on scientific knowledge and personal experiences. Her research continues to explore how to communicate bodily and felt experiences through arts and technologies.
KARINE LAVOIE
Karine Lavoie has over 20 years of experience in social circus, both as a trainer and training advisor at Cirque du Soleil, and currently as the Executive Director of Cirque Hors Piste. After traveling extensively around the world, she is now fully dedicated to the development of social circus in Montreal and Canada, firmly believing that circus is a catalyst for social transformation within communities.
CONFERENCES
EMMANUEL BOCHUD
2:15 p.m.
A look at the Centre for Circus Arts Research, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer (CRITAC)
Presentation of the CRITAC by Emmanuel Bochud. The CRITAC develops applied research projects in collaboration with numerous partners. The work revolves around four spheres of innovation: human performance, environmental and experiential design, social innovation, and digital technologies. In addition to its research activities, the CRITAC provides technical assistance, information, and training to individuals working in the circus, performing arts, and human performance fields.
HAYLEY WARD
2:45 p.m.
Sharing CRITAC's Research Findings and Reflections on Confidence Development and Physical Literacy *
CRITAC presents its "Confidence by Design" project, developed in 2023 following its research on physical literacy and its domains of competence (physical, cognitive, social, and creative). This project aims to intentionally develop artists' confidence to enhance their performances, reduce the risk of injuries, facilitate their return after any performance interruption, and thus optimize artist support.
*Presentation delivered in English by: Hayley Ward, accompanied by Dean Kriellaars
A member of the CRITAC team, Hayley Ward is also a physiotherapist at the University of Manitoba. She is a former student-athlete and captain of the University of Manitoba women's soccer team. She has a particular interest in high-level rehabilitation and has conducted research on anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation, rehabilitation enriched by physical literacy, and gender biases in movement and sport. She has experience as a high-level coach in soccer, baseball, dance, circus, and tennis.
3.30 pm - KNOWLEDGE CAFÉ
A Café of Knowledge is a unique opportunity to meet new people and broaden your understanding through experts in circus research who will share their experiences across 6 different themes.
Here's how it works:
- You can sign up for a maximum of two tables. One table for the first round and one table for the second round.
- There will be between 10 and 12 spots available per table for each round.
- Each round will consist of knowledge sharing from the experts and a discussion period.
- Registration will take place on Tuesday, April 9th, starting at noon until the activity takes place in the presentation room of our AGM.
- Two cafés will be held in online subgroup rooms in English only.
More about our researchers :
AGATHE ET ADRIEN
Research in the artistic process: gender bias at the heart of questions about new practices
Agathe and Adrien form a duo working at the intersection of circus, dance, and theater/performance. They steer their work towards a circus of creation, committed, feminist, and environmental. The acrobatic exploration of gender biases in their duo show "N.Ormes" challenges stereotypes through role reversal and a quest for equity. Their research will be supported by the CRITAC in the next years. They are also co-creators of the works "Banché" and "Piece of Mind."
KAREN FRICKER
Circus And Its Others: a transnational research project fostering dialogue between researchers and artists
Karen Fricker is adjunct professor of Dramatic Arts at Brock University, writes about theatre for the Toronto Star, and is editorial advisor at Intermission magazine. With Charles R. Batson she is co-founder of the Circus and its Others (CaiO) research project. She co-edited a Circus and its Others-themed double issue of Performance Matters (4, 1-2, 2018) with Hayley Malouin, and with Batson co-authored a chapter on circus studies methodologies in The Cambridge Companion to the Circus (2021).
PALOMA LEYTON
Research-creation at university: resonance between theory and practice around suspended body movement
My journey intertwines research, creation, and teaching in visual arts and aerial techniques. My doctoral thesis (Studies and Practices of Arts, UQAM/UNIBO, ongoing) focuses on the possibility of an aerial practice of listening, exploring the connections between the somatic dimension and the imaginaries of movement while suspended on unstable aerial apparatuses. Currently, I am a training coordinator and aerial coach at the École de Cirque de Verdun.
ELIA SÉCLET
Discovering the research and design process for new acrobatic devices
Born into a family of circus performers in Europe and with a degree in mechanical engineering from the Ecole Nationale Supérieur des Arts et Métiers, he puts his design and manufacturing expertise to work for the Circus community at CRITAC.
MARIE TISSOT
The circus as an object of study: living memories and practices
Marie Tissot is a doctoral student in museum studies at the Université du Québec à Montréal and in theatre studies at Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3 (joint supervision). Her doctoral research focuses on the heritage aspects of circus. She is a member of the Collective of Researchers on Circus (CCCirque) and co-founded "Faire corps," a program for meetings between young circus researchers.
KEELY WHITELAW
Research-creation within academia: bridging the divide between concept and embodied expression
Keely is an aerialist and student at Concordia in the Doctorate of Humanities program, with focuses in philosophy and circus/performance studies. Her research involves considerations of embodied imagination and memory in phenomenology in pursuit of justifying creation as research and coming up with pedagogical methods that inspire sustainable, creative movement.
