#nofitstate

[helloalasdair]

Sabotage, 27th May

No Fit State, Bristol

Contemporary circus

It's going to be difficult to get across just how much this show meant to me for something I've only seen - will only see - one and a half times. Nevertheless, I will try.

Speaking generally, I often see performance-based stuff and want to give it a go. Acting, singing, even dance, obviously comedy, storytelling, spoken word - I've done all these things on stage in front of people because I've seen some people do it and gone "yeah alright, let's have a crack." It's not that I'm good at them, or think I can do better, but there's something about going to an open mic night or equivalent and seeing how people start from scratch that sort of gives me permission to do that.

Circus is not one of those things. I have no inclination to even try and spin a plate, let alone get on a trapeze. I tried to learn to juggle once. My mum put a stop to it eventually because the thud of the balls hitting the floor drove the entire house nuts. I am supremely uncoordinated and physically weak. The jump (or somersault) from nothing to anything is insurmountable for me, and that's fine. That's good, even. It makes every leap and twist something like a magic trick - I don't want to know how they do it. All that matters is that they can and they are.

That's a long preamble before we get to the specifics of Sabotage. As I say, I've seen it one and a half times. This was the full one; the half was when I went to Swansea to MC No Fit State's cabaret show, Village People. A few of the crew recognised me from then, despite me wearing significantly more clothes, which made me feel pretty good but is also just testament to what a welcoming bunch they are.

I don't have a brilliant memory; I'm writing this mostly based on notes made in the interval and directly afterwards. It's not really possible to spoil the show in the traditional sense as there isn't an obvious narrative. My interpretation was that it's a glimpse into a world elsewhere, maybe a village of people somewhere European, and seeing them come together or work alone in alternating scenes.

Every single sequence is some flavour of jaw-dropping. The lighting directs your focus around the tent at performers who enter and leave at varying velocities. It tends to be a solo or duo performance on e.g. aerial silks, a trapeze, something else entirely, followed by frenetic group activity that resets the stage in a way that's entertaining in its own right.

The music is live too, which brings me on to the other observation I had at the time: no one in that tent (I counted roughly 20 people who took to the stage at various points) had just one job. Even the lighting tech played at least two instruments and was acting as a human counterbalance for the aerialists, who also juggled, or rode a unicycle, or sang, or did the balancing for other aerialists.

And this is why this show - circus in general, I think - has carved out a place for itself inside me. It is a fierce celebration of what humans can do, yes, but it also says - loudly - that it is all made possible by the support we give each other. No one can fly forty feet in the air safely without someone at the other end of the rope, staying largely out of focus. No one can use a slackline like a three-inch-wide trampoline without a small army making sure there are crash mats in the right place. We look after each other. We trust each other. We propel each other to do incredible things. In this sense, Sabotage is ironically named.

[sunakimune]

POPなデザインが楽しい 素敵なUKピンバッジ。 イギリス生まれの 「No Fit State Co.」が、 MUSEUMFAN.WORLD https://shop.museumfan.world にて現在販売中です。 当Instagramのプロフィールのリンクツリーサイトからも入れ��す。 https://linktr.ee/activejapan どうぞご覧になってみてくださいね。 #ピンバッジ #ピンズ #pins #nofitstate #activejapanmanagement (Kyoto Prefecture) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAPrIbpAOSe/?igshid=hf34u8qpuvhe

[yousayyesmissalice]

Hard to keep my bag straight but look how pretty! Rearranged and added a couple from @lauratalanti 😍😍 so cuuute! Others from various sources, @punkypins #nofitstate and a few i've forgotten 🙈 #pins #pingame #bagpins #packpack #cats #introvertclub #pokemonpin #unicornpin #magic

[alisepiebalga-performance-blog]

Sundays are fly days at NoFit State circus. Come hang out with me! I'm here for the next 9 hours. #nofitstate #flyingtrapeze #trapeze #circuseverydamnday #circus #trainer #myjobisbetterthanyours (at NoFit State)

[michael-james-talbot]

Precise measurements for my new work... thank you #nofitstatecircusbianco #nofitstate #art #sculpture #beauty #creation (at South Bank London)

[nofitstate-art]

Commission Guide:

The Kinds of Projects I'm Looking For:

Erotic or explicit portraits, pin-ups, or scenes with interesting characters, fashions, environments, and dynamic or atmospheric lighting. Even better if there's room for interesting posing and expressions. I'm open to contemporary, historical, fantasy, sci-fi, or surreal settings. I'm also open to depicting men in my work, as well as varied realistic body types.

Large image series used to kind of be my thing, but I was beginning to experience some serious burnout doing them. These days, I'd like to keep a set in the 3-4 image range, though I can be flexible.

Things I'm Not Interested In:

No inflated, super distorted, or bimbo-fied body proportions

No real people

No trite setups or context. I'd like my work to lean hard away from treating female characters as bubbleheads to be tricked, bested, or used. It doesn't need to be smart, just not stupid. I prefer to depict the women in my work as "in on the fantasy" as well as "in on the pleasure".

No graphic violence or filth, though some rough stuff may be okay.

How I Prefer to Work:

When I begin a new project, I'm usually ready to dive right in. Please have any ideas or reference you have for the project ready, even if they're just partial details you'd like to build off of. I'd be happy to help you put a concept together.

I work best with clear and respectful communicators who allow me the room to inject my style into an image in at least a couple of ways, be it through the posing, expressions, mood, fashion, environment, lighting, etc. If you're coming to me with a highly specific concept that you're unwilling to compromise on, it had better be a fantastic idea and already be in line with my style. I'm unlikely to take on the project otherwise.

I can be a little insistent or overbearing when I become attached to an idea. Once a concept clicks as an image I'd like to pursue, it usually means that it's appealing to my taste and checking off my requirements for an interesting and dynamic image. This is the zone I work best in, and I think it's ideal to let me help you steer the idea in this direction, as opposed to you steering me away from that zone.

Going into a project that both you, the client, and I are enthusiastic about, my energy will start high and stay consistent if we stay on track. I like to iron out the details first, then move to completion. You are welcome to ask about changes or tweaks, and if they add to the image or they don't interfere with the image, I will be happy to oblige. But I will also let you know if I feel they detract from the image. If a client ignores my warnings and insists on these kinds of changes often, it can be quite draining for me. I'll always be aware of the potential the image did not meet in my eyes, if enough of this goes on.

The same goes with moving the goal posts on me without some awareness that you're doing so, and asking permission to do so. Sometimes I wonder if some clients subconsciously seek to optimize their commission experience once it gets underway, either by giving the artist busywork, by trying to pack more into the image, or by remembering an idea they would like better too late in the game. These behaviors in regularity are quite draining for me as well, especially when I feel they detract from the image.

This is my work, but it's also a passion that I must protect as such. I'm not everyone's cup of tea to work with, and that's okay. I'd rather resonate deeply than resonate broadly.

If by chance any of this sounds good to you, please email me at nofitstateart@gmail.com or message me on Discord at NoFitState#2046 with any inquiries not answered here.

[altpress]

Set those clocks! We've got a killer premiere from @nofitstatemusic TODAY at 4 PM EST --> facebook.com/altpress . . #altpress #ap #alternativepress #nofitstate #facebook — view on Instagram https://ift.tt/2KL4nLj

[divertrecords]

May vinyl sale chart -- Link in bio —— Available on - deejay.de —— 01. Roman Rai - Perceptions Of Delusion Ep | LP ID - DWRLP001 | Label - Deepwave Records 02. Chris Wood & Meat - Slip & Slide Ep | LP ID - NFS009 | Label - Nofitstate 03. Gessture - Surface Recognition | LP ID - ER004 | Label - Enclave Records 04. Alex Pervukhin & Kirik - COC002 | LP ID - COC002 | Label - Colors Of Crocus 05. Schime - Bad Dream EP | LP ID - STRV004 | Label - Simple Things Records 06. Weisses Licht - Being | LP ID - HLTD001 | Label - Hypnotic LTD 07. Mrdie - Silverline Ep | LP ID - SYMB030 | Label - Symbiostic 08. Metamann & Coppé - MTVL-001 | LP ID - MTVL-001 | Label - Meitrik 09. Various - Tenth Anniversary EP | LP ID - VLF010 | Label - Lucidflow 10. Jus Nowhere - The End OF Times | LP ID - MHYH016 | Label - MyHouse YourHouse —— #vinyl #onlyvinyl #djchart #deejayde #recordstore #vinylstore #house #minimalhouse #techno #thomasdexter #prague #praha #prag #dj #vinylsale #music #underground #letna #bubenec #cesko #slovakia #vinyldj #sale #bratislava #kosice #poprad #musicchart #onlyvinyl #platne #thomasdexter (at Prague, Czech Republic) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_7OAUfH6R3/?igshid=1mbf44m0toiky

[pontiobangor]

Pontio announce programme for 2019 ‘Circus Feast’

Pontio have announced the full programme for the third ‘Gwledd Syrcas Feast’, a nine-day event dedicated to contemporary circus, which will take place between Thursday 18 and Saturday 27 July this year.

This year’s theme will be ‘The World At Our Feet’ and the nine-day event will showcase work from several different countries as well as providing a flavour of local Welsh musical and circus talent. Headlining the festival this year will be Circus Abyssinia, a contemporary circus company from Ethiopia that has performed all over the world and won over the critics and crowds at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Royal Variety Performance and on Blue Peter.

The Circus Feast will be kicked off on Thursday 18 July at 1pm with a colourful and fun procession through Bangor High Street by local schools Glancegin, Glanadda, Hirael and Faenol. Also performing will be members of Circus Abyssinia, local circus performers and young musicians from Sistema Cymru – Codi’r To and Band Jazz Tryfan, all led by Pontio’s youth participation programme, BLAS.

Headline show Ethiopian Dreams, inspired by the real-life story of brothers Bibi and Bichu Tesfamariam who founded Circus Abyssinia, tells the tale of two little Ethiopian brothers whose dream of joining the circus is made real by the Man in the Moon.  The adventure truly begins when the brothers realise their dream is a shared one, and are joined by a host of high-flying, contorting figures - some enchanting, others menacing, and at least one ridiculous - but all of them circus dreamers, whose feats of acrobatic daring call up a world of adventure that awakens the possibility of a bona fide Ethiopian circus! The show delves into the rhythms and roots of Ethiopia's rich musical and artistic traditions to weave its story through death-defying tricks and feats of juggling, clowning and contortion, all performed to the irresistible beats of Ethiopian song.

​For three of the nights (21, 22 and 23 July), the Circus Feast will also feature a giant colourful projection on the outside of the Pontio building following the main show once dark, bringing together Welsh culture and heritage and the culture of Ethiopia in a specially-commissioned piece, ABYSSINIA. Cimera première their new production Drudwen, a dark modern fairytale with stunning aerial circus, physical comedy and capitvating live music on Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 July, and there will also be plenty of opportunity for the public to have a go at circus skills through a variety of workshops, as well as free performances from Articulture, Cymru:Brasil, Inverted and Joan Català in Pontio’s indoor and outdoor public spaces, lots of live music from Banda Bacana, Elidyr Glyn, Gwilym Bowen Rhys, Gwenan Gibbard and folk music collectives Tant Canol and Avanc and Ethiopia-inspired daily specials and event menus throughout the circus feast.

Elen ap Robert, Pontio’s artistic director said, “We’ve been lucky enough to attract contemporary circus companies of the highest quality to Bangor over the last five years or so, and many will recall the stunning BIANCO by NoFitState, FLOWN by Pirates of the Carabina and the amazing Circolombia and their show ACELERE two years ago. Circus Abyssinia is another great headliner to add to the list, and we hope audiences will flock to Bangor to enjoy what we’ve put together for our Circus Feast this year!”

You can view the Gwledd Syrcas Feast Guide and learn more about individual events at www.pontio.co.uk or phone 01248 38 28 28

[bongobeat]

https://soundcloud.com/kevin-over/schatten-ep-clips-nofitstate-out-310

[sunakimune]

POPなデザインが楽しい 素敵なUKピンバッジ。 イギリス生まれの 「No Fit State Co.」が、 MUSEUMFAN.WORLD https://shop.museumfan.world にて現在販売中です。 当Instagramのプロフィールのリンクツリーサイトからも入れます。 https://linktr.ee/activejapan どうぞご覧になってみてくださいね。 #ピンバッジ #ピンズ #pins #nofitstate #activejapanmanagement (Kyoto Prefecture) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_12aGWgcRz/?igshid=gwrcs60ia0oc

[biridian]

Circus meets Literature: An Interview with Bianco's Firenza Guidi

Circus meets Literature: An Interview with Bianco’s Firenza Guidi

Bianco is the 2013 creation by the UK-based circus company ‘NoFitState’. Created and directed by Firenza Guidi, this captivating show uses The Elephant’s Journey by Portuguese Nobel Prize winner José Saramago as its inspiration. We talk to Guidi, asking her about this fusion of circus and literature. BIANCO. NOFIT STATE CIRCUS. Photo By David Levene At what point in the creation did The…

[yousayyesmissalice]

Aaand another couple of pins from @punkypins including two festive ones!! Running out of space on the front pocket now :P Others from random sources, @lauratalanti and @nofitstate etc. #pins #backpack #pingame #punkypins #nofitstate #pokemonpin #catpin #introvertclub #strangerthings #friendsdontlie #mlp #llama #christmaspins

[alisepiebalga-performance-blog]

BIANCO What an amazing show! Go see it before it finishes. #nofitstate #bianco #stillinlovewithyou (at South Bank London)

[michael-james-talbot]

My latest study- Danilo de Campos Pacheco. Incredible #nofitstatecircus #nofitstate

[circomedianotices-blog]

NoFitState casting call

This is a guest post on behalf of NoFitState. This is not a Circomedia audition.

Circus in Circles [working title]

NoFit State Circus is creating a new production for the Big Top and seated audiences in the round, touring 2018 onwards. We are holding a first round of auditions in Cardiff (UK), 10 – 13 April 2017. This period will be broken down into two 2-day sessions: 10 – 11 April and 12 – 13 April. Applicants will be invited to come to one of the two sessions, and a number of performers will be re-invited for a second round of auditions in early May (Casting Lab).  

NoFit State Circus is one of the UK’s leading contemporary circus companies, creators of award-winning performances such as ImMortal, tabù, Bianco, Barricade, Open House and Block.

We believe the spiritual home of circus is under a Big Top, and its heart and soul comes from the collective, the lifestyle of the travelling community. It is this bond and complicity that gives the work its heart and soul.

In 2017, we begin a new work, directed by long-term collaborator Firenza Guidi (ImMortal, tabù, Labyrinth, Bianco). This brand new creation will be the evolution of the standing shows, taking the style and language that we’ve developed over the years and reinventing it or a seated audience in the round.

It is also a celebration of 250 years of circus and a pilgrimage to our circus roots, a quest to bring new interpretations of circus traditions and a historical perspective to our work. It is an opportunity for us to engage with a broader spectrum of disciplines, particularly ground based ones. We are especially interested in skills such as acrobatics, banquine, teeter board, russian bar, etc as well as magic, illusion, clowning, puppetry, object manipulation and aerial.

We believe the desire to tour in the Big Top and become part of a collective, a family, is as important as the skills and techniques that every performer brings with them.

What we are looking for: Essential qualities

Highly skilled circus artists with at least two main skills

Good stage presence and strong performance skills

Individuals keen to embrace the circus lifestyle

Creating a show together

Putting up the Big Top together

Touring in caravans together

Living, working, traveling, eating together

Desirable qualities:

Strong (floor) acrobatic skills

Good musical ability

Theatre, dance, physical theatre or movement experience

Good singing voice

Ability to drive and tow own caravan

Provisional Schedule (subject to change):

10 - 11 and 12 - 13 April 2017: Auditions in Cardiff, Wales

8 - 13 May 2017: Casting Lab 1

Mid September - End October 2017: Creation Stage 1

February - March 2018: Creation Stage 2

April 2018 onwards: touring

Applications:

Email: casting@nofitstate.org by 17 March 2017

Ideally a short video introducing yourself and telling us why you should be considered

A biography or CV

1 or 2 video (3 minutes max) links to your work

Application deadline: 17 March 2017

Notifications by: 20 March 2017

Find out more