Bright lights, glistening costumes, colorful stripes…this is the circus we know and love. Without aesthetics, would the room fill with excitement from the audience as the show begins? Would people still rush to get a front-row seat?
The circus has an unofficial trademark. Going to the circus likely entails coming across a big tent, usually striped, where the performance takes place. A circular set-up is also the customary performance space, so that audiences from all angles will receive a different, yet equally incredible view of the action. Similar clown-like makeup techniques are also quite common in most acts of the circus. Audiences expect a certain set of images to meet their eye if they are attending a circus performance. It is important to keep in mind that the glitz and glamour of the circus is not solely used for beauty, rather its defining visual style allows audiences to recognize the unique look that the circus upholds wherever they may encounter it.
Historical Use of Aesthetics
In the earlier days of the circus, performances were always traveling, also known as caravans. This created an exigence for advertising. According to Richard Flint's "The Circus in America...," the circus mainly utilized spectacle-like images to attract audiences: "One of the historical hallmarks of circus day was a grandiose form of advertising, the circus parade. As early as the 1830s, the circus troupe, led by the band, would march through the city streets in the morning to announce its arrival in town. …the parades were lengthy pageants of great splendor featuring gilded chariots, mounted knights, exotic animals, and, in the rear, a great steam-powered organ or calliope" (19-20) The use of eye-catching objects and vehicles allowed the circus to hone its identity as a unique and visually interesting performance. This was key in attracting the people of these towns to see the shows.
Grandiose advertising was also seen in colorful posters. Posters were usually put up near the center of town, close to where the circus would be performing. These advertisements typically promised an intricate and incredibly daring show (Flint 26-30). This genre of extravagant advertising helped communicate to audiences the high quality and interesting nature of the circus shows.
Advertising for the circus is still necessary today, even if the circus is not a traveling one. The FSU Flying High Circus utilizes the genre of posters all over campus when they have upcoming shows. This particular advertisement, found near the Doak Campbell FSU Football Stadium, advertises the upcoming Halloween-themed shows that the circus will be performing. Strategic use of color and costume are clearly depicted, alongside helpful information for interested audiences. This is a large way the FSU Circus communicates with potential audiences.
Costumes and Makeup
"We thrive and delight in the departure from the everyday. Inconceivable spins and twists are complemented by the glitter and shine of eye-shadow and rhinestones" (Slepoy).
The perfect marriage of the acts of the circus and the glamour that beautifully accompanies these acts makes for the indescribable enchantment that the circus brings to town. In Violet Slepoy’s article, “The Power of Costume,” Slepoy explicates the importance of aesthetics, primarily costumes, in the enthralling effect of the circus performances: “…the delicate dance between performance and costuming creates the aura of other-worldliness we come to the circus in search of. We thrive and delight in the departure from the everyday. Inconceivable spins and twists are complemented by the glitter and shine of eye-shadow and rhinestones. Monumental flexibility is paired with stunning garb to bring us closer to the notion of perfection” (Slepoy). These remarks illustrate the true importance of design, color, and style in terms of the charm of the circus. The genres of costumes and makeup play a large role in ensuring that performances entertain as well as express individuality and uniqueness. Personally, I would have no interest in going to the circus, or even other performances such as the ballet or the movies, if it weren't for the creativity of costume and makeup that brings the characters to life.
Seminoles with Style
The FSU Flying High Circus expansively takes advantage of the use of costume, lights, style, and motion. Watch the video below to see how the FSU circus expertly incorporates lighting, costumes, makeup, sets, and many more skillfully chosen aesthetics to enhance the show.
The different costumes of the performers suggests their roles in the circus, as well as compliments the themes of the show. Costuming is beautifully seamed into the magic of the show. All FSU Flying High Circus members are expected to sew and design their own costumes ("The FSU Flying High Circus"). They seem to be doing a spectacular job.
The clever use of lights and sets also contributes to the FSU Flying High Circus' near professional reputation. The lights create a colorful and misty backdrop for the incredible acts that the circus performs. The circus is married to its aesthetics; without the visual appeal, the circus would lose its reputation as a "spectacle".
I recently attended one of the Halloween shows that the FSU circus performances, and the act shown above demonstrates the importance of costume and makeup. This act was impressive as well as creepy--these performers playing dolls are brought to life. The genres utilized by the circus team were successful, as an unsettling and ghastly feeling was brought over the audience as these performers worked through their act. Spooky music in addition to the costume elements worked to create this creepy mood.
The use of the circus' signature style, as well as extravagant sets, costumes, makeup, and acts demonstrates how the FSU circus values giving the audience the perfect circus experience.
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