Aerial silk

Aerial Silk, also known as "tissu","ribbon" or "fabric", is an apparatus used in aerial acrobatics where a performer or performers hang and perform acrobatics while suspended by a special fabric. The performer climbs the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. The performer/acrobat uses the fabric to: wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their body into and out of various positions. Aerial silks may be to fly through the air, striking poses and figures while flying. Routines are an exciting display of athleticism, coordination and flexibility.

About the apparatus

The following information is for academic reference purposes only. Any physical activity taking place off the ground carries a high level of risk of injury or death if not practiced with proper training and supervision.

Rigging

As with any kind of technical rigging, it is crucial for reasons of safety and liability that only professionally trained personnel set up and rig acrobatic apparatus.

electing Fabrics

Fabric under the name of 'tricot chiffon' is most commonly used by performers, though fabrics which have this name do vary. Another common choice is polyester interlock. When selecting fabric, there are a number of issues one must take into account.

* Stretch
** Low stretch fabrics. Low stretch fabrics provide a high degree of control for precision choreography. With the spread of motorized rigging and sophisticated shock absorbing hardware, low stretch fabric is used in most modern professional productions.
** Medium stretch fabrics. Medium stretch fabrics are becoming less common, as they do not have many of the advantages of lower stretch fabrics. Primarily Russian artists and those who trained in the early-mid nineties use low stretch fabrics.

* Width. Fabric width is mostly a personal choice. The thickness of the fabric when gathered is also influenced by the "denier", or technical thickness of the fabrics weave. 40 denier is a common choice. The using 40 denier nylon fabric, the following is true:
** 60" - Narrow when open, thin when gathered. fairly common simply because the fabric is widely available.
** 72-84” - Average for adults. A good place to start.
** 96" - Wide when open, thick when gathered. Best for adults with large hands.
**108” - Very wide and thick. Recommended for adults with very large hands, or specialty acts.

* Length
**Length is a function of the height of the space available.
** For beginners, it is beneficial if the fabric comes down past the ground, allowing them to practice wraps at a lower level where they can be spotted.
** For intermediate users and above, it is sufficient if the fabrics to come down to the ground.
** For all users, the space required is usually between 20 and 30 ft. There are a great many tricks that can be done on a 12 to 15 foot ribbon and a few drops require more than 30 feet but for the most part 20 to 30 feet is best.

Additional Information

*Some silks performers prefer to use dried or spray rosin on their hands and feet to increase the friction and grip on the fabric.

External links

*General Resources
** [http://tutorials.simplycircus.com/aerial/aerial_silks.htm Aerial Silks Resource Page] ( [http://www.simplycircus.com Simply Circus] )
** [http://tutorials.simplycircus.com/aerial/aerial_arts_faq.htm Aerial Arts FAQ] ( [http://www.simplycircus.com Simply Circus] )

* Commercial Retailers of Aerial Silks
** [http://www.aircat.net Aircat Aerial Arts] (sells variety of fabric materials and colors)
** [http://www.cbe-circus.com/aerial.htm Custom Built Equipment] (sells fabrics and related rigging)
** [http://www.nycircusarts.com New York Circus Arts] (sells a wide range of aerial apparatus including silks)
** [http://www.nimblearts.org Nimble Arts] (sells fabrics and related rigging)
** [http://www.unicycle.fr Unicycle Voltige] (sells a fabric bell and related rigging)

* Commercial Performers
** [http://www.angelsintheair.com/ Aerial Angels]
** [http://aerialexperience.com/page12.html Aerial Experience]
** [http://www.aircat.net Aircat Aerial Arts]
** [http://www.fireflyaerial.com FireFly Aerial Acrobatics]
** [http://www.silksisters.com Silk Sisters]
** [http://www.suspendedanimationcircus.com Suspended Animation Circus]
** [http://www.trapezetwins.com Gemini Trapeze]
** [http://www.veronicablaironline.com Veronica Blair]
** [http://aerial.dancing.googlepages.com Rebekah Leach]
** [http://www.circusaerials.com/Events.html Circus Aerials]
** [http://www.gregangelo.com Gregangelo & Velocity Circus]
** [http://zitatheaerialist.com/ Zita the Aerialist]

* Commercial products involving aerial silk
** Aerial Circus Training and Safety Manual (ISBN 0-88100-136-8) [http://www.google.com/search?q=Aerial+Circus+Training+and+Safety+Manual&btnG=Search Google link for this book]
** [http://www.lulu.com/content/630570 Aerial Skills Illustrated 2007] by Shana Kennedy. Photo guide to basic tricks on static trapeze, corde lisse and aerial fabric.
** [http://www.circusaerials.com/Manuals.html Instructor's Aerial Silks Manuals and DVDs] . Introductory Manauls (17 pages each) and DVDs (corresponding to the texts) designed for brand new Aerial Silks Instructors.

* Training / Teaching of aerial silks in the UK
** [http://www.thecircusspace.co.uk The Circus Space - also has a rigging department

* Movies featuring aerial silk
** [http://www.thegymnastfilm.com/ The Gymnast]