Wednesday 5 September 2012

CIRCUS


I LOVED this week’s theme.  I recently went to see Cirque Du Ciel ShangHi. A Chinese circus with traditional and modern elements.  It was absolutely amazing!  The 2-hour show featured acrobatics, ballet, balancing, tumbling, spinning, death defying aerial displays, all set to a heart pounding score of live music.  With amazing costumes, lighting and music it was a Colourful, Sparkling, feast for the senses.  On my tags this week I have tried to convey the experience of being there, ENJOY!  Most are made using hand-painted silk, backed onto craft vylene.

The first tag features the Diablo spinners.  I used large silver and pink sequins and tiny beads for the Diablo’s, and white thread for the rope they are thrown up and caught on.  Sorry I don’t know the technical terms! It is photographed against the front cover of the programme. Note how the  thread 'rope' on the tag carries on from the rope in the girl's hand!


This tag features the Hoop Diving routine. It is painted with purple and red silk paints and decorated with turquoise sequins to represent lights.  For the hoops I have used four brass curtain rings, stitched to the tag. 
The swirly black and gold design on the left is taken from the costumes of the acrobats;  I used silk gutta for this.  The tag is finished with a tie of red cord and black ribbon and gold beads.  I love the vibrancy and  colour contrast of this tag.



This tag features the Aerial Silk Routine, where a performer does an amazing gymnastics routine whilst dangling from the ceiling on a length of red silk !  For this I painted the vylene tag black and stitched  tiny crystal beads for lights all over. I used a piece of painted silk (red/purple) cut on the bias and folded it into place on the tag. It is stitched in place with a few more beads.  Finished with red and black ribbons for a tie.

The music and drumming was an important feature of the show so my last tag is about the drumming.  The tag shows a wall of Chinese Gongs.  I made a golden grid on the tag with gold thread and used various gold buttons from my stash for the gongs.  It is finished with black ribbon and gold thread for a tie.




Here they are altogether.  I’m sorry this post is so long, I got a bit carried away!  I would love to have made more, there were so many inspiring shapes and colours to use; but I thought four was maybe enough (for now!).  If the Cirque Du Ciel comes to a theatre near you, go and see it! It’s amazing beyond words!
Thank you as always for your lovely comments, they make my day!
I’m off now to see all your Circus Acts, have a fantastic creative week.
Bye for now, Jane xx

14 comments:

  1. Wow! These are stunning pieces of interpretive art. Blessings!

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  2. Wow-- how busy were you?? Great take on the theme!

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  3. Goodness me what a wonderful way to remember your visit! fabulous take on the theme. x

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  4. WOW WOW WOW! These are truly fantastic - I just love what you have done here! What an original idea, very inspirational! Carolyn x

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  5. Absolutely stunning and a really wonderful way to preserve the memory of such a great spectacle.

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  6. a massive WOW Jane this is a great write up and wonderful tags. I saw the Cirque Du Soleil a few years ago and we were mesmorised by it. As you were by your show
    Lynn x

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  7. Wow, one lovelier than the other - beautiful tags! Valerie

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  8. OMGoodness these are just FABulous Jane!! I can't type **WOW** big enough to show how I feel about them. I'm blown away! Totally Fantastic!! :0)
    Think I like them?
    OH YEAH! lol x

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  9. Gorgeous tags... you have been busy... Love them all... Hugs May x x x

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  10. It's so great when something really captures your imagination and inspires you. These tags really show that.

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  11. Four brilliant textile tags for the Circus theme I love them all but I think the rings one is my favourite :)

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  12. I love Cirque du Ciel. They are all about interpretation and seeing things in new and exiting way and I think your work captures that perfectly.

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  13. Oh these are just gorgeous Jane...very clever too!

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  14. oh these are so beautifully creative, inspirational! Annie :)

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