Juggling is an art. At least it is to Denis Paumier and his performance company, Les Objets Volants. The French troupe has successfully produced juggling events for the stage around the world since 1999. Paumier and crew will bring their mix of juggling, theater, movement and object manipulation to Yokohama for three nights starting Jan. 19.
Les Objets Volants (The Flying Objects) will be performing "Cercles + Transparences + Contrepoint," a performance which uses balls, rings and other props in an attempt at "pure juggling -- to use juggling itself as a means for expression." The show features Paumier and Sylvain Garnavault.
In many countries, including Japan, juggling has yet to establish itself as an art form. "In France, people go to see le nouveau cirque [new circus] as they would avant-garde theater or contemporary dance," says organizer Mamoru Yoshikawa. "Among new circus arts in France, juggling is considered a stage art," he says, adding that this is a rare chance to see a sample of cutting-edge stage juggling in Japan.
The performances take place Jan. 19 (8 p.m.), 20 (6 p.m.) and 21 (3 p.m.) at BankART 1929 Studio NYK/NYK Hall, Yokohama. Tickets are 3,000 yen (call [045] 663-2812).
