“As circus artists, we make the seemingly impossible possible, challenging the limits of our bodies and minds. Right now, we as a society need to do exactly that - overcome seemingly impossible challenges, and dare to dream and envision what our shared sustainable future can look like. ”
The following conversation takes place between ABIGAEL R. WINSVOLD and EMMA S. LANGMOEN, circus artists, co-creators and performers of Acting for Climate, a professional contemporary circus and performing arts company from Norway founded in 2014 inspiring action for a sustainable future through cross-disciplinary works with artists and activists.
Developed by GAHSP MEDIA for CIRCUS TALK
THE PERFORMERS
Somewhere in the Latvian countryside
ABIGAEL R. WINSVOLD My whole artistic life I have had an urge to find ways to express issues related to climate change and sustainability through art. I am working mostly site-specific out in nature or in unconventional spaces as tall ships. I'm interested in finding ways of portraying and provoking the value shift that is necessary to meet the challenges we are facing today, and in general making the performing art sector more sustainable.
EMMA S. LANGMOEN
I am a 25 y/o Norwegian contemporary circus artist, but first and foremost a fellow human being on this planet. Working with Acting for Climate gives me the possibility to combine my background in environmental activism and politics with my profession as an artist.
What are 3 values that you wish to mediate through your work?
ABIGAEL R. WINSVOLD
Equality (between species, humans, cultures)
Engagement on sustainability
Passion - base my work on what I’m passionate about and strive to encourage others to do the same.
EMMA S. LANGMOEN
Sustainability
Justice
And empowering people and myself in the fact that our actions actually matter
What are 3 relevant problems that you wish to solve through your work?
ABIGAEL R. WINSVOLD
My drive to inspire people to take action on the climate and biodiversity crisis comes from a wish to solve the inaction, numbness, ignorance or paralyzation we as individuals are faced with when confronted with these big challenges.
I am interested in working towards a thriving culture where we all understand that we matter - and that what we do matters. I believe that systems can change in the favor of equity, equality, kinship and connection.
The challenge of polarization which enables us to see ourselves as ‘separate from’ instead of ‘a part of’. For me, this includes separation through politics, traditions, worldviews and cultures, as well as our spiritual belief systems.
EMMA S. LANGMOEN
Similar to Abigael, my main drive comes from big concerns rooted in the climate crisis, and from choosing not to accept the dystopian realities we are facing.
In our society, we very seldomly challenge the futures we are projecting. If we were to project 2 or (5!) degrees of global warming, this is what we will get accustomed to, thereby making it a reality. Instead, I am interested in exploring other realities, projecting sustainable futures, and seeing how we can implement that in what we do today - both through our performances and in how we work as Acting for Climate.
I would like to challenge the standards of success in my culture; transitioning from a worldview where success comes at someone else's expense, human or non-human, to a new norm that embraces being regenerative and sustainable essentially.
RIPPLES
"Ripples took place on a 100 year old wooden sailing ship, and reached almost 10 000 people in Northern Europe during the 2-month sailing tour in the summer of 2022, directed by Hanne Trap Friis. The engineless sailing ship functioned as the stage of the show, the mode of transport and the home for the crew and artistic team.”
VOYAGE INTO THE FUTURE
MOURNING RITUAL FOR THE PAST
QUESTION THE PRESENT
BARK
“BARK is a contemporary circus performance, for a forest, an audience and five performers. Played site-specifically in and with local forests, BARK is exploring our interconnection as part of nature. The performance combines a physical expression of group acrobatics, vertical dance, dance and physical theater with contemporary soundscapes and poetic text, all performed up in, between, with and around the trees and the audience.”
THE FOREST
THE SOIL
THE TREES
CURRENTS
“Currents is a 3 years-long worldwide sailing tour combining art and environmental action. With a main team of 5 traveling artists onboard our sailboat, we stop in harbors around the world where we team up with local artists, environmentalists, activists and scientists. Together, we make a site specific performance on the theme of symbiosis, highlighting the reciprocity between species, and how we as humans can play a regenerative role in our surrounding ecosystems.”
HARBOURS
This interview contributes to a new media format, where Creatives are in full control of their narratives. By exploring alternatives to narrative journalism, GAHSP starts unconventional conversations, emphasizing values and problems that shape our lives collectively.
Written and Edited by Julia Horvath
Image Courtesy of Acting for Climate