"Mentir lo Mínimo" [circus show recap]

Thanks to the kind invitation by Riga Circus, on August 14th we had a possibility to see the show "Mentir lo Mínimo" by the Spanish/Argentinian circus group "Alta Gama". It is a show that, through its apparent simplicity, brings us closer to the complexity of self-acceptance. It is simple, poetic, and infused with touches of humor, and brings to the discussion topic of realities of different bodies in circus as well as the world as a whole. Both evenings of the show concluded with standing ovations and moved many of the viewers with its honesty and simplicity.

It is a minimalistic performance that strives to eliminate everything that is not essential. Starring in the show are three bodies: a woman, a man, and a bicycle. This acrobatic bike duo humorously question what is socially considered an “aesthetic defect” - Alejo is fat, but Amanda was born with a hip defect that denied her from walking in the first years of her life. In the circus lights they ponder the meaning of beauty standards and talk about their own bodies, showing them without deception, filters, or artifice. After this show, the our thoughts revolved around primarily two elements - the historic perception of fatness through circus lens, as well as the potential of circus to tackle stigma, increase inclusion and still celebrate the limitatons of a human body.

Historically, circuses have been characterized by narrow beauty standards, favoring thinness and athleticism. This has led to widespread public prejudice that only those with such body types can engage in circus disciplines. It is important to mention that, from the Middle Ages [1], a very popular part of the circus was the so-called "freak shows" where people with deformed or unusual bodies (including those who were fat) were objectified and used for entertainment. Both fat individuals and those with other body types were portrayed as inhumane in these shows, thus contributing to negative stereotypes about fatness in general.

Meanwhile, nowadays, especially in contemporary circus, body diversity (including fatness), is increasingly becoming the central theme of performances. Equally important, circus artists are finding new ways to not only incorporate these diverse bodies into their narratives but also to adapt classic circus disciplines to demonstrate strength, grace, and artistry regardless of body size. Similarly, in the show "Mentir lo Mínimo" where Alejo says:

"I have something to say: I’m fat. I’ve always been fat. In fact, my parents called me “fatty” “el gordo” in Spanish. My sister calls me “el gordo”. All my school mates - “el gordo". My rugby team- “el gordo”. All my exes - “el gordo” and my current girlfriend -“gordito”[..]”."

And so, the performance continues with his narrative about the positive aspects of fatness that are often overlooked. He highlights the coziness of cuddling with them in winter, the pleasantness of their hugs, and other qualities. These verbal emphases on experiences with fat bodies are complemented with audience experiencing the visual proof that a fat body can also perform acrobatic tricks in a circus arena. The audience, through the artists' emotional openness, can introspect and consider all the times they themselves have felt 'inadequate' or 'out of place' in the eyes of society but have nevertheless been able to embrace their true selves and say 'yes' to the possibilities of this world through their unique bodies. Furthermore, simply by using the word 'fat' and presenting a fat, uncovered body on stage, this performance offered a rare opportunity for Latvian audiences to experience the representation of fatness without the stigmatizing connotations that typically accompany it. For this reason, we encourage you to see this performance if you have the chance.

The circus group 'Alta Gama' visited Latvia as part of the 'ReRiga' festival, so their performance is no longer available to see here. For more information about the artists and the possibility of seeing this show elsewhere, you can visit their website and social media pages: Facebook and Instagram.

Atsauces / papildus lasāmviela par tēmu

[1] Drimmer, F. (1973). Very special people: the struggles, loves and triumphs of human oddities.

An article about fat bodies for more inclusive circus arts and the circus as a driver of social change - https://stagelync.com/news/circus-bodies-fat-circus-bodies

Photos by Kristine Madjare / Riga Circus

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