Organised by Anna-Sophie Jürgens (Australian National University in Canberra) and Lena Hintze (Research Area 4: "Literary Currencies").

Join us for a lively book launch of "Circus and the Avant-Gardes", an artist talk with actor and performance artist Le Pustra and a roundtable discussion! 

"Circus and the Avant-Gardes" (Routledge, 2022) elucidates how the realm of the circus as a model – or, rather, a blueprint for modernist experiment, innovation and (re)negotiation of bodies – has become fully integrated in our ways of perceiving avant-gardes today. This brand-new book examines to what extent circus and avant-garde connections contribute to a better understanding of early twentieth-century artistic movements and their enduring legacy, of the history of popular entertainment, and the cultural relevance of circus arts. 

Le Pustra is an actor and queer "kunstfigur" best known for his provocative Weimar Republic Cabaret inspired Le Pustra's Kabarett der Namenlosen and playing mysterious nightclub owner, "Edwina Morell" in the award-winning TV series Babylon Berlin (Season 3 and 4). The artist's dazzling and inspirational unique style has been featured in numerous theatrical events, photo art books, international fashion publications, art exhibitions, music videos, short films and paintings. Called an avant-garde artist, his work is inspired by both the historical avant-gardes and circus/vaudeville aesthetics. In the artist talk with Le Pustra, participants will explore his interpretation of an extravagant Dada costume and his understanding of 'avant-garde' and 'circus'. 

The event will culminate in a dialogue between the EXC 2020 research community and the authors of the presented book on avant-garde and neo-avant-garde movements and the interweaving of various performance cultures.