Many a sideshow fanatics have likely seen the above portrait of Melvin Burkart, perhaps even noted its unusual grittiness and eerie beauty, but many less know about the man behind the lens, Joel-Peter Witkin. Today is a tribute to that man. Born in Brooklyn in 1939, Witkin has been pursuing his love of photography for [...]
It seems everywhere I turn these days, circus fever is rampant. (Not that I am complaining…) Cirque aesthetics are permeating everything from music festivals to aerobic classes and most recently, Vogue Russia‘s couture fashion displays. Enjoy the eye candy: *Photo Source: Jezebel
Owner and stylist of Classic Cherry Productions, Orley Anderson recently teamed up with Simply TC out of Minneapolis to produce a photography series inspired by the classic sideshow strongman. Orely has been kind enough to share some of her images with us today, and answer a few questions about her process. “Sideshow or not, I’m [...]
Now through October 30, Vermont’s Shelburne Museum is exhibiting Behind the Lens, Under the Big Top: The Circus Photography of Elliot Fenander. This collection is born of the “1,500 mostly black and white negatives recently donated to Shelburne Museum by photographer Elliot Fenander. Taken in the late 1960s, Fenander’s photographs document the circus during a [...]
Lacey Terrell has been photographing the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus for over a decade, capturing life behind the scenes on the lot. Today, Terrell shares some of her work, discusses her journey into this career path and illuminates the culmination of her time with the C & M Circus, The Passing Ring: In April of [...]
Michelle Wang was recently sent out on an assignment that would make most photographers drool. She was allowed to go backstage, onto the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus train and capture the performer’s lives. Wang certainly rose to the occasion, and below is some of her incredible shots: To view more of Michelle’s [...]
The Onondaga County Public Library (OCPL) of Syracuse, NY are encouraging locals to read, and to promote reading this holiday season, they’re highlighting the circus books in their collection. I wish my school teachers would have taken the same approach! Below are three of the OCPL’s featured books according to Syracuse News (which is also [...]
The Dorothy Circus Gallery has been rocking the Italian art scene since October, 2007. Based in Rome, this gallery is “dedicated to ‘Lowbrow’ and ‘Pop Surrealism’, two of the most controversial, vital and exciting movements of contemporary art” (Dorothy Circus Gallery). Today, gallery owner and director Alexandra Mazzanti indulges HeyRubeCircus readers with a short interview [...]
LA-based photographer Mila Reynaud has a knack for catching the dramatic moment. She specializes in portrait, concert, still and band photography. She also has a penchant for romantic, circus aesthetics. Today we celebrate some of her work: Check out her website to see more.
After all of the content-rich, textually dense posts this past week, I thought we could all use some gratuitous visual art. Below, I’ve posted a sampling of the art photography of Paris-based artist, Alyz. Click here to visit her site.