Circus has had a connection with screen for a while. From the very beginning, cinema has been inspired by the art of the circus to create special effects. Like Frenchman Georges Méliès, who used his experience as a magician – and some illusionism techniques – to create surrealistic scenes in his films, over a century ago.

Since then, the art of video has changed and developed. And now, at a time when the pandemic restrictions took the performing arts to virtual platforms, the circus has strengthened its relationship with the screen.

To discuss these connections, this panel brings together magician Celio Amino, director and circus artist Lu Menin and video artist and researcher Raimo Benedetti, with mediation by the clown Kelly Lima, from Circo di SóLadies, and presentation by Ari Correia, from the Performing Arts Programming sector of Sesc Belenzinho. They talk about the relationship between circus and video and the use of audiovisual tools in the performing arts.

“Technology, magic and circus have always gone hand in hand,” explains Celio, who has been experimenting with video techniques – a theme that guides his course Cinemagic, featured in the festival. The question, he says, is not “to use technology for technology’s sake”, but to seize these tools in order to create the circus enchantment.

Celio Amino has been a professional magician for three decades. With a degree in Physics from the University of São Paulo, he works with new technologies and modern physics in his performances. He is the author of the plays “Além da Mágica” (Beyond Magic), “Dimensões” (Dimensions), “Certas Ilusões” (Certain Illusions), “Wakatta” and “Cinemágica” (Cinemagic).

Lu Menin is a circus artist, graduated at SPASSO – Escola Popular de Circo, in Belo Horizonte. She also studied dance, physical theatre, singing and capoeira. A native of Minas Gerais, now based in São Paulo, she is one of the founding partners of Circo Zanni and, with her collegue Pablo Nordio, founded Cia Barnabô.

Raimo Benedetti is a video artist, film editor and researcher. He has been dedicated to the study of media archaeology since 2010. He is the author of the book “Entre Pássaros e Cavalos: Muybridge, Marey e o Pré-Cinema” (Between Birds and Horses: Muybridge, Marey and the Pre-Cinema) and the live cinema show “Cinema das Atrações” (Cinema of Attractions).

Kelly Lima is a clown and member of Circo di SóLadies, a group formed by women and dedicated to researching the language of clowning and comedy. Among her works are the shows “Choque-Rosa ou com que Armas Lutamos” (Pink Shock or What Weapons We Fight With) and “A Tenda” (The Tent).

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