Contemporary circus is unique to itself in the performing arts world.  Different from the jaded tent shows such as Ringling Brothers & Barnum and Bailey that glorify death defying feats and incredible technical skill, contemporary circus focuses on the artistic aspects of performance.  Although it still provides entertainment, traditional and contemporary circuses are extremely distinguishable from one another.  Circus, of any form, lies in a strange area.  Arguably, at the intersection of theatricality, athletic ability, and quality of movement.  Because all of these puzzle pieces can be observed in circus, there is no doubt that contemporary circus should be considered an art form.
I began feeling the effect of this stigma when I first started practicing circus arts.  A wrinkled nose after hearing the word circus confused me.  I saw what I was doing as artistic expression in it’s purest form.  The idea that a circus involved animals and subsequently, abuse, was so rooted into people's minds.  I cannot speak to the hardship animals in the circus do, or do not, go through; however, I can elaborate on the effect this preconceived notion on something as diverse as circus arts has effected me.  It’s frustrating when something that I consider to be harmless, is seen as a freak show. 

Traditional circus hails to its roots.  Sometimes hundreds of years old, tradition runs strong.  They let the vagabond lifestyle live on.  Acts are generally formed from generational circus families, circus acts are hired as is and brought on the road.  The show often has a lack of connection throughout, performers and acts are announced as having “superhuman abilities.”  These shows have pyrotechnics, and are a spectacle for any small child.  They’re bright, happy and fun.  The idea of an act being a series of tricks is prominent and true.  They do not run much deeper than the surface: what you see is what you get. 

A contemporary circus piece, is most often far different.  These shows, depending on how modern, are not for the whole family.  They test the limits and boundaries the audience has to performers.  I remember going to see a show called “Girls on Trapeze” that chronicled the lives of these women.  There were acts about rape, about losing a loved one, personal issues that these artists offered to share with the audience.  It was intoxicating, powerful, and very well done.  The artists opened themselves up, revealing personal details about themselves, the show was quiet, silent, you could have heard a pin drop at times.  Contemporary circus digs deeper; it often showcases invented apparatuses and more creative technique. 

Contemporary circus isn’t that far off from dance as an art form.  Bodies are moving in passionate and creative ways.  Stories are told without pictures or words, but with music and movement.  As in any painting or drawing, there is expression and movement, the composition of the shape one creates with their body could be compared to that of a Monet painting.  When I perform as a circus artist, I am not only an entertainer, but I am a living breathing piece of art.  Contemporary circus could often be considered different from dance only by its name. 
However the appreciation for this art is obstructed by the remaining options on circuses past.  People still believe that all circus companies are alike.  Although they may have stemmed from the same roots, contemporary and traditional circus are two very different trees, reaching out of the box, out of your comfort zone of bright lights and the man shot out of a cannon.  Instead of entering a huge arena, enter a small black box theater and sit next time somebody you don’t know.  Instead of watching a show, experience a performance.  This is the difference between contemporary and traditional circus.  The difference between art and entertainment. 

At this point it’s silly that contemporary circus isn’t recognized by any major associations as an art form.  It’s ridiculous that the word circus congers up images of midgets and Siamese twins.  I believe that the term circus should be received with an open mind, without preconceived notions.  I believe that contemporary circus is not only an athletic series of tricks, but a living, breathing and moving art form.