‘Cupola’ – A circus installation
11 November 2017 – 8th April 2018
Launch party Sunday 26th November 1pm – 3pm
‘Cupola’ – the crown in the roof of the big top. The exhibition ‘Cupola’ marks the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of UK modern circus in 2018. The exhibition showcases the work of local aerial circus company ‘Skinning the Cat’ who toured internationally 1988-2002 and could often be seen performing in Lister park as part of the Bradford Festival.
Skinning the Cat lived in Manningham and many of the artists involved to make their shows were from Bradford. These skills included, set, prop and costume design, performance, photography, graphic design and marketing. As well as practising trapeze above the heads of footballers in Manningham sports centre, Skinning the Cat created their work as members of Bradford arts studios in Thornton.
Becky Truman, artistic director and aerialist for Skinning the Cat has created sculptures that explore audience and artist engagement through the circus experience, past and present in Yorkshire. The exhibition parallels a Skinning the Cat costume displayed at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, which marks the company’s role in the creation of contemporary circus. The exhibition will include, amongst others, the costume which worked as a duo on the trapeze with the one displayed in the V&A.
