“50 Years of Catalan Contemporary Circus”: La Mercè hosts a photographic exhibition in collaboration with the Circus Archive

Circ d’Hivern 1996

In collaboration with MAC – Mercè Arts de Carrer and Queralt Suau Studio, the Circus Archive presents a photographic exhibition celebrating the memory and history of Catalan circus. The exhibition features a selection of images of artists whose work adorns the different circus stages at the Fòrum, as well as a journey through 50 years of Catalan circus, highlighting some of the most significant milestones of this half-century of history.

The Circus Archive project, led by La Central del Circ, was created as a strategic initiative to strengthen research, the preservation of memory, and the development of the circus sector. It is one of the 14 measures included in the Catalonia Circus Development Plan (Pla d’Impuls del Circ de Catalunya) (2023–2026), promoted by the Department of Culture and the Association of Circus Professionals of Catalonia.

Below is a list of the artists featured in the photographs, as well as the photographers who took part in the exhibition:

Artists/companies: 19è Circ d’hivern de l’Ateneu Popular de 9 Barris, Animal Religion, Amer i Àfrica Circ Cia, Cia Bragacadavra, Cia. Hotel iocandi, Cia. Marilén Ribot, Cia. Nom Provisional, Cia. Sifó, Cia. Vaques, Circ Pistolet, Circ Vermut, Circo Imperfecto, Col.lectiu la Persiana, Desastrosus Cirkus, Jessica Arpin, Julie Bergez, Ingrid Esperanza, La Corcoles, La Côte Folle, La Fem Fatal, Manolo Alcàntara, Maria Villate, Moll de l’Os, Mortelo & Manzani, Mumusic Circus, Pep Callau, Professor Karoli, Solfasirc, Tortell Poltrona, Toti Toronell.

Photography: Joan Ramirez Vallhonrat, Manel Sala, Marc Butxaca, Marta Garcia Cardellach, Mingo Vallès López, Tjerk van der Meulen.

In addition to the exhibition, contemporary circus will have a prominent place in La Mercè’s programme, with performances including Tenet, by Eunoia Kolektiva; Espai Vital, by Duo Laos; Desorientat, by Guga; Banaba Flup, by Streetfools; and Repte Gaudí, by Circ de les Mussaranyes, among many others.