The term "acrobatics" was born in Ancient Greece. "Akrobates" in Greek means "he who walks on his toes" ("akros" - the one who is at the end, "bitis" - to walk). The ancient Hellenes gave great importance harmonious development of a person; they paid special attention to his physical perfection. Acrobatics is based on mastery of the body, high development of muscles.
Many years before our era, acrobatics was known in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, Byzantium. Moreover, acrobats were then called not only the actual acrobats, but also itinerant artists, tightrope walkers, dancers.
In one of the songs of Homer's "Odyssey" the author told how the feasters were entertained by two "jumpers" who "according with the ringing lyre jumped ... galloped nimbly". On about. Crete in 1500 BC acrobatic games with bulls were widespread (imprinted on the frescoes and reliefs of the Palace of Knossos) carvings on stone from Egypt (1150 BC) indicate that Egyptian acrobats were able to stand on their heads, on their hands, jump from foot to hand and with hands to feet through sharp swords, roll over back over the back together, perform the bridge. Grech, the historian Xenophon (430-354 BC) spoke of a Syracusan dancer who showed "inversion of the body and imitation of the wheel." She also jumped through a hoop studded with sharp swords.
Interest in acrobatics did not die out in the Middle Ages. On the images that have come down to us (the church of Saint-Denis in Amboise, the church of La Chaise le Vicomte, marginal drawings of the book Roman about Alexander "), acrobats of the 14th centuries were recorded, performing handstands and headstands, backflips, pole vaults" .
Books on acrobatics written in the 16th century are known. These are the "Textbook of somersaults" (in essence, the first manual on acrobatics) and "Three dialogues on exercises in jumping and vaulting in the air" (1599), written by the prominent French acrobat Tucarro, who systematized the acrobatic elements known at that time.
An engraving from the 16th century. Unknown artist depicted acrobats jumping from a springboard with a front somersault through 10 hoops. In the letter of the Russian Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich (1648), who condemned the "blasphemous" buffoon games, the custom of "jumping on boards" was also mentioned.
During the Renaissance, competitions of "living architecture" were held in Venice. Acrobats competed in the ability to build pyramids, the height of which reached 9 m, and the number of acrobats in one pyramid was up to 30. Art cf. age-old acrobats did not yet know the division into different roles.
In the circus, professional acrobatics appeared in late XVIII V. and began to develop successfully independent genre. Thanks to the extraordinary variety of species, the greatest variety of exercises and various forms acrobatic performances occupy a dominant position in the circus compared to other genres. Possession of acrobatic techniques is necessary for every circus performer - a clown, a gymnast, a jockey, and a juggler. Acrobatics gives excellent development of all muscles.
It is known that about 45 percent of the weight of an adult is in the muscles. If we take into account that a person has up to six hundred muscles, then it is not difficult to imagine what a powerful motor apparatus an acrobat has, since all muscle groups participate in the exercises he performs. Comprehensive physical development, which gives acrobatics, allows the performer to successfully master other genres, such as gymnastics, balancing act.
Some varieties of acrobatics - power, jumping - are widely used in sports. This, to a certain extent, was once facilitated by circus performers who left different reasons work in the arena and settled in gyms as trainers. Many circus performers participated in sports competitions in acrobatics. Demonstrating a high class, they won prizes, which, of course, served to popularize and develop acrobatics in Soviet sports.
Despite some commonality of many exercises, performance techniques and muscle efforts, circus and sports acrobatics are largely different. Sports acrobatics is a means of physical development and education of a person. results sports achievements revealed during the competition. And circus acrobatics, in addition, serves to create artwork(numbers), in which each acrobatic element is not an end in itself, but a means of expressing artistic intent.
There are many techniques for performing acrobatic elements. They can be demonstrated on the arena and above the arena, using props or projectiles, as well as without using them. Acrobatic exercises are performed by a group and solo, dynamically and statically - and depending on the nature of the Pomor and creative task. However, with the dog-stunt variety of acrobatics, it is based on two elements - somersaults in a handstand. Almost all stunt combinations of all varieties of acrobatics are held on them. Stunt combinations are very limited without somersaults, you can’t do without it when working with a springboard, trampoline, throwing boards, in Icarian games, in shoulder acrobatics. Moreover, a back somersault is used much more often than a front one (with the exception of jumping from a springboard and on a trampoline). Some technical features performing a front somersault limit its use - it is more difficult for the orientation of an acrobat, who sees the landing point a little later than when performing a back somersault, and most importantly, it is difficult for the lower one to catch an acrobat performing a front somersault on his shoulders.
And power and vaulting acrobatics cannot be without a handstand. It is widely used not only in acrobatics, but also in balancing act; it is also used by ring gymnasts and even clowns.
In terms of their importance and scope of application, somersaults and handstands are dominant expressive means circus art.
Literature:
Z.B. Gurevich "About the genres of the Soviet circus".
Encyclopedia "Circus Art of Russia"
Acrobatics is a consistent system of various acrobatic elements and their direct performance by athletes. Acrobatics is one of the most popular species gymnastics. This is a complex-coordinating sport that requires dexterity, good physical form, special attention and concentration.
History of acrobatics
For many years before our era, acrobatics was known in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, Byzantium. Moreover, acrobats were then called not only acrobats themselves, but also itinerant artists, tightrope walkers, dancers. Interest in acrobatics did not die out even in the Middle Ages. On the images that have come down to us (the church of Saint-Denis in Amboise, the church of La Chaise le Vicomte, marginal drawings of the book Roman about Alexander "), acrobats of the 14th centuries were recorded, performing handstands and headstands, backflips, pole vaults" .During the Renaissance, competitions of "living architecture" were held in Venice. Acrobats competed in the ability to build pyramids, the height of which reached 9 m, and the number of acrobats in one pyramid was up to 30. Art cf. age-old acrobats did not yet know the division into different roles.
Acrobatics and circus
Professional acrobatics appeared in the circus at the end of the 18th century. and began to develop successfully as an independent genre. Thanks to the extraordinary variety of species, the greatest variety of exercises and various forms of performance, acrobatics occupies a dominant position in the circus compared to other genres. Possession of acrobatic techniques is necessary for every circus performer - a clown, a gymnast, a jockey, and a juggler. Acrobatics gives excellent development of all muscles.
Varieties of acrobatics
Some varieties of acrobatics - power, jumping - are widely used in sports. To a certain extent, this was once facilitated by circus performers who, for various reasons, left work in the arena and settled in gyms as trainers. Many circus performers participated in sports competitions in acrobatics. Demonstrating a high class, they won prizes, which, of course, served to popularize and develop acrobatics in Soviet sports.
Despite some commonality of many exercises, performance techniques and muscle efforts, circus and sports acrobatics are largely different. Sports acrobatics is a means of physical development and education of a person. The results of sports achievements are revealed during the competition. And circus acrobatics, in addition, serves to create a work of art (number), in which each acrobatic element is not an end in itself, but a means of expressing an artistic intention.
Acrobatic elements
There are many techniques for performing acrobatic elements. They can be demonstrated on the arena and above the arena, using props or projectiles, as well as without using them. Acrobatic exercises are performed by a group and solo, dynamically and statically - and depending on the nature of the Pomor and the creative task. However, with all the stunt variety of acrobatics, it is based on two elements - somersaults and a handstand. Almost all stunt combinations of all varieties of acrobatics are held on them. Stunt combinations are very limited without somersaults, you can’t do without it when working with a springboard, trampoline, throwing boards, in Icarian games, in shoulder acrobatics.
Moreover, a back somersault is used much more often than a front one (with the exception of jumping from a springboard and on a trampoline). Some technical features of performing a front somersault limit its use - it is more difficult to orient an acrobat, who sees the landing point a little later than when performing a back somersault, and most importantly, it is difficult for the lower one to catch an acrobat performing a front somersault on his shoulders.
Circus acrobatics is a kind of gymnastics, the elements of which are performed without any sports equipment. Like other forms of gymnastics, circus acrobatics requires an enormous physical strength, flexibility and endurance. As a rule, circus acrobats undergo grueling training to bring themselves into the desired shape. Some forms of circus acrobatics are part of Olympic Games and it is quite popular among viewers.
Circus acrobatics has been known since antiquity. It is known for certain that the ancient Greeks, as well as the Romans, performed elements of circus acrobatics to demonstrate their physical training and sports skills. With the spread of Christianity and a change in attitudes towards human body The popularity of circus acrobatics began to fade quickly, but did not completely disappear.
In the Middle Ages, during various circus performances circus acrobats performed separately, as independent artists, and also, they were popular at the courts of many royalty. Along with clowns and other entertainers, acrobats brightened the royal courts, and some even became court favorites, and in their free time from performances they dressed luxuriously and wore expensive jewelry. Thanks to the movement for healthy lifestyle life, in the 1800s, circus acrobatics, along with other sports, experienced a renaissance. By this time, circus acrobatics had become an Olympic sport and was widely loved by the community.
During their performances, acrobats perform a lot of difficult elements: back flips, all kinds of somersaults with jumps, somersaults and walk with a wheel. The performances of most acrobats are very dynamic and include inertial rotation on the floor to the beat. musical accompaniment, which makes their performance more artistic, and the demonstration of physical data a more colorful spectacle. Today, performances of circus acrobats are held on special gymnastic mats, which provide the athlete with greater comfort.
As a rule, people who want to become circus acrobats start with early years, because the perfection of physical skill in gymnastics is laid down in early age. Those wishing to do acrobatics in more adulthood may also achieve some success, but they are unlikely to ever achieve the same flexibility and suppleness of their body as athletes who have been training since childhood. The performance of circus acrobats can be observed during the Olympic Games, as well as at various sports events. For example, members of a professional support group sports clubs quite often they demonstrate elements of circus acrobatics in their performances in between matches.
Often, circus acrobats, along with other circus performers, are invited to perform various social events. Many entertainment show organizers like to include their performances in their program to attract the attention of the public.
One of the favorite and spectacular circus genres is acrobatics, known since the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Rome, Byzantium and Greece. Information about acrobatic competitions is also found in Homer's Odyssey. The Moscow circuses offer you a variety of acrobatic attractions, many of which are unique and awarded the highest awards international circus festivals:
- Acrobat on a motorcycle, in addition to the impressive balancing act, which he performs flawlessly, in his performance the artist uses a hat, which not only becomes his partner, but is also a beautiful tool in the hands of an extreme acrobat.
- Acrobat rollerbladers- this group of young artists already has more than one award for their skills, they are laureates International Competition in Korea and have a Gold Medal at the International Competition for Young Performers in Moscow. Roller circus performers can easily do things that others cannot do without roller skates. They jump over each other, perform complex pirouettes, somersaults, handstands and all this at a fast pace, with enthusiasm and courage..
- Acrobats with flip boards- a number unique in complexity, in which acrobats not only perform record tricks, including double and triple somersaults, but do it on giant stilts, this is extremely rare in the arena. The unique circus acrobatic number was enthusiastically received in many countries, including Norway, Sweden, Mongolia, France, Austria, Japan.
- Acrobats-eccentrics on the original bike- an incredible giant bike becomes a playground for inventive and hilarious acrobats, doing the most incredible stunts They use the wheel of a bicycle as a trampoline.
- Acrobat Voltigeurs- this unique group of acrobats has many different prizes including Grand Prize International Festival circus art in Monte Carlo - "Golden Clown" - in the circus world, this award is like an "Oscar" in the film industry. The work of these twelve acrobats is so unique that documentary, telling about the original solutions found and the innovation of athletes.
- Aerial acrobats-voltigeurs on a swing platform- this is a unique circus genre and in the whole world there are only two aerial acrobatic numbers on a swinging platform, in the circus on Vernadsky you can see one of them. At a great height under the dome of the circus on a swinging platform, acrobats perform record-breaking triple back somersaults, blunges, graceful long jumps from a height of 14 meters.
- Acrobats on a Russian stick- these circus artists came to the arena from professional sports, they are Masters of Sports, champions of Russia among juniors, this training helps them perform record tricks - triple somersault, double somersault with pirouette, double somersault arching. And although the number is only two years old, the artists have already managed to conquer the audience of New Zealand, Europe, Latin America and Japan.
- Acrobats on poles- the artists are not just demonstrating a number, they are playing a whole performance, and you can’t refuse them acting skills. With enviable ease and without insurance, they perform somersaults, somersaults with pirouettes, somersault blanche, three somersaults and mortales with an exact arrival on a narrow crossbar, the artists perform all these tricks of record complexity with humor, amusing the audience and delighting with their acting finds. Behind the highest level complexity and acting skills Acrobats on poles received awards: bronze of the 6th International Festival in China, bronze All-Russian festival circus art in Yaroslavl, a silver medal of the International Festival in Budapest.
And you can get to know the circus art better in the following sections of the site.
Like many other types of circus genre, acrobatics came to us from antiquity. IN great attention devoted to harmonious and equilateral physical development person. This led to the creation separate species art - acrobatics.
Her admirers constantly improved their bodies, strengthened their muscles, and did stretching. Thanks to this, the muscles of the arms, neck, and back became as strong as the legs. That is why they do somersaults with ease and land smoothly, walk freely on their hands. The word "acrobat" itself is translated from Greek as "one who walks on toes."
In Crete, bull games were held during the harvest. "Playing" with the bulls, the acrobat twisted somersaults around him, jumped, that is, gracefully dodged his horns. This can be judged by studying the frescoes of Knossos (Knossos Palace) and Agia Triada.
On golden goblets found in Sparta, acrobats deftly make flips, and then grab the bull by the horns and “saddle” it. In Homer's poems "Iliad" and "Odyssey" there are also references to acrobatics. In ancient Rome, all itinerant artists - acrobats - were called circulators. By the way, very often they combined all the skills.
"Dark" Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages, the church, as was customary, ranked most of the art forms as intrigues. evil spirits. Therefore, acrobatics was more nomadic. However, already in the Renaissance in Italy, a competition was held specifically for acrobats. In front of the crowd, each team builds a tall living pyramid. The one that consisted of 30 people and had a height of more than 9 meters won.
In the 16th century, the first Tuccaro acrobatics manual was written. It was supplemented and republished by Streli. In his book "Acrobatics and Acrobats" he described many exercises, mistakes and how to avoid them. I devoted a separate chapter to partner support and insurance.
Buffoons are jacks of all trades
Acrobatics, as a genre of circus art, appeared in the 18th century. In Rus' - and even later. At the same time, they were acrobats, gymnasts, clowns, satirists at the same time. Their performances and moving from city to city became the prototype of nomadic circuses.
Acrobatics in the modern circus
On the stage you can see power (sports) acrobatics, shoulder (voltage), equestrian, jumping. In our time, artists are not limited in shells either. They use a trampoline, flip board, trampolines. But the main exercises they perform are back flips and walking on their hands.
And, if the artist has mastered acrobatics well, he can easily master the rest circus genres requiring flexibility and muscle strength: gymnastics and balancing act.
