About Flying Circus Project 2013

Maija Hirvanen – Our Social Democratic Bodies, 2011 (Image by Aada Niilola)

2013 marks the 8th edition of the Flying Circus Project or FCP. Established in 1996, the FCP is a long-term programme exploring creative expression in Asia. This inter-disciplinary, research & development programme consists of performances, screenings, conversations, laboratories, workshops, talks and engagement by visiting artists in localized sites. The focal points are individual creative action, difference, encountering and the art practice. In 2004, the FCP began to intensely include artists from beyond Asia, including the Arab world, Europe, the USA and Africa.

Since 2007, Flying Circus artists have been travelling together to two different sites, interacting with the cities.  The emphasis is to introduce the tenacity of local sites with their artists, activists and public intellectuals.  Hence the Flying Circus artists are linked with the notion of world creating.  How do we form micro-worlds which are responsible, articulated and ethically engaged?  At the same time, the FCP rejects the instrumentalization of art.  Instead it activates other methodologies allowing for participation and reflection in highly individualized ways.  This includes the Alter U programme, a shared micro-space/time made by artists for world-citizens to contemplate action.  In 2007, the FCP visited Ho Chi Minh City/Singapore and in 2010, the FCP explored Phnom Penh/Singapore.