Well, I don't mean to leture anyone here. I can understand people finding clowns scary, and it would seem natural to comment on it given the weird idea that everyon should feel all warm and fuzzy at the sight or thought of a clown . I have seen my nephew cry. He always had a great fear. It can be very natural. But, having been in a circus years ago, and performed in white face (not exactly clown makeup, but similar based on comedial del arte) I have a few thoughts on the whole thing.
Firstly, white face is scary. the origins and whole design is to create an odd, other worldly, and often disturbing or challenging impression. Seeing a human, but in a white face or blue face or whatever, but fixed expression, while at the same time some make up actually exagerates expressions, takes us out of what we expect in relating to a human and creates a strange feeling inside us. This is the same thing being used bny Kiss or Marilyn manso (although I find his stuff a bit calculated and schticky) goths, blue man group, and mimes.
Now, this feeling is meant to be exploited in two ways, one is on some deep profound levels such as mimes sometimes work dealing with serious subject involving the nature of man, or early (renaissance era european performance or maybe moliere) or comedy. The relationship between this thrilling disorientation and fear and the potential for relief is an esential element of comedy. often brought about when the clown or figure is shown to be harmless, pathetic, or joyous.
To see someone who is at face threatining, but turns out to be sad and beat down by life (just like we might feel) or suddenly full or playfulness or mirth (dumping a bucket of water/confetti on someone) or possessed of fantastic skills to walk a tight rope, balance on three stacked tupes while balancing someting on the head, or just goofy and silly in a skilled physical way (Jim Carey would make a great clown.) it is that very saariness coupled with the actual reality that is waht makes clowns what they are. A person with no make up could not have the same effect.
THe shame of it is that somehow mnay things that are funny or fun eventually come to be thought as only for kids. The idea that some guy with no skills should just be entertaining to kids because he is wearing make up is ridiculous.
Childeren in the past, while maybe sometimes scared, also had a long history of seeing skilled performers work in the genre in a way that would most often give them a great love for clowns. But to think that out of context, a child should just look at a picture of aclown, or encounter a bad party baloon twister is ridiculous.
So, my point is taht it is the very scariness that allows a skilled clown to do what he or she does.
Go see a good show like Cirque Du Soleil, or check out a good traditional show like Carson and Barnes or Ringling Brothers (I recommend a real big top tent if you can find it) or the Moscow Circus or an other European circus to really appreciate the tradition.
I do think the cliche of the evil or scary clown, while they can be funny, are actually cheap shots because it is not as if they have discovered somehing new. Clowns have always had that threat, by design really.
Just read Water For Elephants. Great read about being on a show in the thirties. Fictional but well researched and accurate.
If anyone is wondering, I drove a truck, set up and tear down, animal handler, performer in white face and did a straigh jacket escape hanging by my ankles from the trapeze rigging.
Firstly, white face is scary. the origins and whole design is to create an odd, other worldly, and often disturbing or challenging impression. Seeing a human, but in a white face or blue face or whatever, but fixed expression, while at the same time some make up actually exagerates expressions, takes us out of what we expect in relating to a human and creates a strange feeling inside us. This is the same thing being used bny Kiss or Marilyn manso (although I find his stuff a bit calculated and schticky) goths, blue man group, and mimes.
Now, this feeling is meant to be exploited in two ways, one is on some deep profound levels such as mimes sometimes work dealing with serious subject involving the nature of man, or early (renaissance era european performance or maybe moliere) or comedy. The relationship between this thrilling disorientation and fear and the potential for relief is an esential element of comedy. often brought about when the clown or figure is shown to be harmless, pathetic, or joyous.
To see someone who is at face threatining, but turns out to be sad and beat down by life (just like we might feel) or suddenly full or playfulness or mirth (dumping a bucket of water/confetti on someone) or possessed of fantastic skills to walk a tight rope, balance on three stacked tupes while balancing someting on the head, or just goofy and silly in a skilled physical way (Jim Carey would make a great clown.) it is that very saariness coupled with the actual reality that is waht makes clowns what they are. A person with no make up could not have the same effect.
THe shame of it is that somehow mnay things that are funny or fun eventually come to be thought as only for kids. The idea that some guy with no skills should just be entertaining to kids because he is wearing make up is ridiculous.
Childeren in the past, while maybe sometimes scared, also had a long history of seeing skilled performers work in the genre in a way that would most often give them a great love for clowns. But to think that out of context, a child should just look at a picture of aclown, or encounter a bad party baloon twister is ridiculous.
So, my point is taht it is the very scariness that allows a skilled clown to do what he or she does.
Go see a good show like Cirque Du Soleil, or check out a good traditional show like Carson and Barnes or Ringling Brothers (I recommend a real big top tent if you can find it) or the Moscow Circus or an other European circus to really appreciate the tradition.
I do think the cliche of the evil or scary clown, while they can be funny, are actually cheap shots because it is not as if they have discovered somehing new. Clowns have always had that threat, by design really.
Just read Water For Elephants. Great read about being on a show in the thirties. Fictional but well researched and accurate.
If anyone is wondering, I drove a truck, set up and tear down, animal handler, performer in white face and did a straigh jacket escape hanging by my ankles from the trapeze rigging.
