Circus Life: Every Night, All Around the World

by Gianluigi Di Napoli, David Larible, Michael Darling

Gianluigi di Napoli gives the famous Medrano family circus a great entrance on the stage of his remarkable black-and- white photography, drawing us into the enchanting spot-lit world of the big top, full of the beauty and movement of the animals and the concentration of the artists. He invites us to take a look behind the scenes, at the hard work of rehearsal and the everyday life of the circus family. He shows us the emotions and human aspects of the life behind the glittering circus show. As the photographer himself says, "I wanted to capture the moment of preparation when the artiste is waiting to make an entrance and triumphally present his skills -- the moment when the body already has a rush of adrenaline, the lights are up, but the artiste is still standing in the dust".

Di Napoli is a photographer of the highest order. Fascinating by the circus, he has managed to combine his formal strength and aesthetic eye with his sense of atmosphere and emotion. Among his images of sensuality and movement and his quiet portraits full of beauty, all the magic of the extraordinary circus world opens up before our eyes. A must for circus-lovers and sure to convert those who aren't yet.

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's weird to me that so many of the photos are blurry but I assume it's an artistic choice.... Either way, the photos really have a mood of their own - similar to Night Circus honestly.