Circus


The circus appears today as something extremely old, with an ancient, almost anachronistic flavor. Yet it is so current, being the emblem of a reality that goes beyond any frontier, multiethnic and globalized. The Vassallo are a historical circus family of the Italian panorama that since the 1930s has been carrying on with pride, but also with great difficulties, its history made of bright clothes, exotic animals and itinerant houses throughout Italy and in most parts of Europe. The lives of these artists are made of joys and countless sacrifices: nomads par excellence, they are always looking for something without having a defined goal.

The circus appears today as something extremely old, with an ancient, almost anachronistic flavor. Yet it is so current, being the emblem of a reality that goes beyond any frontier, multiethnic and globalized. The Vassallo are a historical circus family of the Italian panorama that since the 1930s has been carrying on with pride, but also with great difficulties, its history made of bright clothes, exotic animals and itinerant houses throughout Italy and in most parts of Europe. The lives of these artists are made of joys and countless sacrifices: nomads par excellence, they are always looking for something without having a defined goal. Nowadays the life of the Circus is hanging by a thread and its members move like tightrope walkers in precarious balance on an almost imperceptible rope. Today’s circus difficulties, shared by the Vassallo family, are linked in particular to the gradual overcoming of the use of animals in traditional circuses such as their own. “The circus is dying because they are killing us,” said the mother of one of the artists. And this is what the imminent disappearance of the animals will bring, to which the Vassallo are linked by a love that goes far beyond simple utilitarianism, a love born with coexistence and raised day after day, show after show. My interest in the issue is completely unrelated to the intention of expressing an opinion on the matter. My purpose is more a form of attention towards this historic family, their way of life, their past experiences and future expectations. Through photography I wanted to stage a show of mine made of their daily life that repeats itself cyclically, day after day, and that despite this always turns out to be different.