Aerial silks
(also known as aerial contortion, aerial ribbons, aerial tissues, fabric,
ribbon, or tissu) is a type of performance in which one or more artists
perform aerial acrobatics while hanging from a specialist fabric. The
fabric may be hung as two pieces, or a single piece, folded to make a
loop, classified as hammock silks.
Performers climb the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines and
rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. They use the
fabric to wrap, suspend, drop, swing, and spiral their bodies into and out
of various positions. The fabric may also be used to fly through the air,
striking poses and figures. Some performers use rosin (dried or mixed with
rubbing alcohol) on their hands and feet to increase the friction and grip
on the fabric.
Aerial silks is a demanding art and requires a high degree of strength,
power, flexibility, courage, stamina, and grace to practice.
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