Clowning in modern/new circus is much more related to physical comedy than to "traditional" clown as we expect. There are still some of the traditional roles like the whiteclown, the auguste, the character but they are reinvented/remixed with more outlandish comedy and acts like acrobatics and body tricks (one of the best clowns I've seen has some amazing ping-pong balls juggling with very physical acrobatics in them).
The people I know who worked in CWB have very different styles of clowning, they all work to adapt their acts to the local culture, it's really important for CWB volunteers to understand and cater to the local culture, they do research to avoid anything that could be remotely offensive, etc.
Just to source this a bit: my girlfriend is a circus artist here in Sweden so I have some insider view into it, it's actually a very fascinating part of the performing arts.
A friend of mine is a professional clown (https://www.clintbolster.com/) and honestly it's such a respectable profession and form of art. So much goes into a ten minute show - years of work and planning and practice. More work than software, I'd say.
Interestingly enough (although not surprising) he is friends with a close friend of my girlfriend, an Australian aerial straps, swinging pole, and Chinese pole artist :)
> More work than software, I'd say.
Living around many of these performers really put that into perspective to me. Working in the arts is such a completely different game than whatever white-collar job we might have, more akin to scientists in STEM (in the sense of how much passion they have while not being well paid).
There's so much that goes into what looks like a simple show that really made me appreciate much more any form of entertainment or art the past years.
> Interestingly enough (although not surprising) he is friends with a close friend of my girlfriend, an Australian aerial straps, swinging pole, and Chinese pole artist :)
It's a surprisingly small community!
> There's so much that goes into what looks like a simple show that really made me appreciate much more any form of entertainment or art the past years.
I also grew an appreciation for much I was willing to pay to see good art being performed when I learned of the effort going into it. Sometimes if a musical or play doesn't quite hold my interest, I still find it highly enjoyable due to the sheer skill and work involved in just DELIVERING the content, regardless of the content itself.
Looking at some of the videos and pictures, it seems they aren't always wearing what I'd call "stereotypical" clown outfits - just maybe some light makeup and clothes that clearly stand out, while they do "funny things". Juggling bowling pins and dropping them is probably universally understood, even if you have no idea what bowling is.
The people I know who worked in CWB have very different styles of clowning, they all work to adapt their acts to the local culture, it's really important for CWB volunteers to understand and cater to the local culture, they do research to avoid anything that could be remotely offensive, etc.
Just to source this a bit: my girlfriend is a circus artist here in Sweden so I have some insider view into it, it's actually a very fascinating part of the performing arts.