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Archaos, the sensations of the circus world 2010

Thu 9 – Sun 12 September 2010

Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf, Bargehouse St, London, SE1 9PH

Photo: gavinevans.com
Photo: gavinevans.com
Photo: Ian Patrick (Pierrot Bidon, Founder of Archaos)
Photo: gavinevans.com
Photo: Ian Patrick
Photo: gavinevans.com

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A permanent archive of the Archaos Circus from 1988-1991 can now be found by visiting the website: www.archaos.info

Thu 9 & Fri 10 Sept.11am–7pm
Sat 11 & Sun 12 Sept. 11am-8.30pm

Between 1988 and 1991 a radical French circus company called Archaos scandalized the UK with their dangerous chainsaw-juggling, raunchy Gallic attitude and explosive, two-fingers-in-the-face-of Health & Safety performances. The UK circus scene was shaken to its very core and would never be the same again.

Archaos toured the world, but they thrived at their best in the UK - press and audiences loved them and well over 100 Brits attempted to run away and join the maverick troupe. Perhaps predictably, the dream ended with a bang; bankruptcy ensued when The Cathedral tent was destroyed by gale force winds.

This exhibition features photographs by Gavin Evans, Ian Patrick, Philippe Cibille and Dominique Margot and it tells the Archaos story in press clippings, video extracts, personal memories and a history based on original material by Sophie Kennedy Martin.

Confessions of the Archaos Publicist

Sat 11 Sept. 4pm

For the first time in over 20 years, Mark Borkowski, the publicist behind the “mad, bad and dangerous to know” Archaos image, will reveal some of the dark arts employed to launch the infamous circus troupe. He will be telling the true stories behind the iconographic publicity campaigns that saw Archaos's rise to fame in the late 1980s.

What actually happened to the Iraqi strongman who ran away to fight in the Gulf War? How did chainsaw-juggling become a banned art? How do you prevent the police from stopping a car splitting apart on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh?

As part of the Archaos retrospective, Borkowski will show all this and much, much more in his anecdote-laden confessional about the ambush marketing and PR stunts that fuelled the legend that is Archaos.

6 comments

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This looks AMAZING! Can’t wait to visit!

By Charlotte on Thu 12 August 2010

I was a part of Archaos! - The Metal Clown tour - I was approached to gather a gang of Bikers to run through the centre of the cicus - and to make as much noise as possible. We (North-West London MAG) appeared in nearly all of the Wembley performances and most of the Battersea shows, and even followed the circus to Paris where we paraded the Champs Elysees and took part in the final show there.
They were a fine bunch of bohemians - genuinely friendly and a great crowd to be with. Their bizzarre outlook on life was infectious - we all wanted to run away to join the circus - and we did, almost every night!!

SneakyPete

By SneakyPete on Mon 23 August 2010

I would love to go and see them again however previous engagements mean I can’t. They were good time, eh, Pete

By Babs on Tue 24 August 2010

If you go to one Archaos retrospective this decade, start with this one! Awe inspiring

By snakemonkey on Thu 9 September 2010

Still do not swallow the accident victim. This is pure mashup! Highly recommended!

By Imnotalizard on Thu 9 September 2010

Hello Gavin, the great photographer!

I’m the fisher man eating this sticking fish tell. I remember the day we made the photography. The weather was very hot, it was a day off, so I had not buy a fresh fish and I had to use a very old one that I regain, (recover?) in the dustbin… Until today, I remember the taste.

Your photographies are very very good!

I hope your are on form. I am.

The best t wishes.

Margot

By Margot MARGUERITE on Fri 10 September 2010