The swinging acrobats, tightrope walkers, knife-throwers, and fire-eating dancers — these are the acts that we imagine when we think of a circus. Along with these individual skills, there is no shortage of animal tricks to be witnessed in the circus. As time passes by, the acts seem to go bigger, bolder, and more outrageous.
The problem lies with some cruel practices that guarantee the animals’ tameness and the success of each “magic act.” It is no secret that animal cruelty has always been acquainted in circuses and zoos. Behind the sold-out shows hides malpractice in training the animals and punishment in face of failure. How do we stop animal cruelty without sacrificing the joy that’s associated with the circus industry? The answer may lie in the form of holograms.
Holograms replace live animals
Circus Roncalli, a German professional circus founded in 1976 by Bernhard Paul, has a solution in the form of holograms. The holograms are made possible by 11 laser projectors placed around the stage. Their Instagram page has described the acts as art between nostalgia and modernity. Circus-goers will be treated to the same acts they’ve known since childhood while also enjoying the technological advances that are now available.
Given the vast number of performers, one will never run out of things to feast their eyes on. The twist with the performances in Circus Roncalli comes with the animal tricks. Instead of using live animals, they are using holograms for the performances. Elephants are walking in the room without worrying they might stomp on someone and horses are running free while the audience watches in awe. Where else in the world can one see a giant fish on stage?
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It has been proven that technology can either be our greatest achievement or our ultimate downfall. As such, progress and ethics must always go together. There could never be proper modernity at the expense of any life. Circus Roncalli has taken the step to set an example for other circuses without taking away the joy of creating fun-filled memories.
Let us hope that innovation shall always only be in pursuit of a better way to enjoy life. For those who might want to witness a unique kind of experience, Circus Roncalli will be launching its 2023 tour this March.
Youtube: Circus-Theater Roncalli – All for ART for All – Tournee 2022/2023 – Trailer
Photo credits: The images used are owned by Circus Roncalli and have been provided for press usage.
Source: Hamza Shaban and Davide Bertuccio (Washington Post)
