“There is nothing like this in churches in France,” says Nin Khelifa happily, before she swings on a rope in the heights of Saint Charles Church in Limoilou.
“It is interesting to take a place and repurpose its use, especially when it is a place that carries as much history, rules and dogmas as a church,” claims the French artist, published on Monday by Le Journal was interviewed during a screening of Circus Machine.
In the form of a circus parade entitled “Grand-Mess” directed by Martin Genest, the 14 artists jump, climb and float over the entire Saint-Charles church.
Seesaw artists performing circus machine demonstrations. Alexander Caputo
“I love the irreverence with which we work. “The idea of presenting something so colorful in such an austere space is exciting,” she says.
To put together the Grand Mass, which will be presented beginning Jan. 31, Cirque Machine team members installed booths where some pews would normally be located. They then covered much of the remaining area with a raised stage, accessed via a catwalk, similar to fashion shows, that divides the stands in two.
“Re-creating the Sacred”
The intention behind this concept of the circus machine is to show no respect for the different beliefs of the population. According to the show's playwright Jean-Philippe Lehoux, it's more about creating a new style of spirituality.
“Interest in what is sacred is decreasing in our society. Our goal is to restore something sacred, but in our own way, rather than undoing what is sacred to others,” he says.
“So there is something spiritual about what we see,” he states enthusiastically, pointing to an acrobat who is holding on to one hand, sticking his feet in the air and squeezing his colleague’s head.
The Machine de Cirque show “Grand-Mess” will be performed from January 31st to February 24th at the Saint-Charles church in Limoilou.