In his video works of the »CHINA SERIES«, Swiss artist Julian Vogel explores different forms of the diabolo, an essentially simple juggling object consisting of two cups connected by an axle.
The cups – usually made of rubber – are replaced in the artist's works by ceramic and porcelain objects. They roll, they turn, they fly and they break. The focus is thus on the constant change and movement of things. The fragility of objects – but also of the human body – reminds us of the temporality of existence. As an interdisciplinary art project, »CHINA SERIES« combines contemporary circus, dance, performance, video art and installation.
From September 15 to 26, 2021, the sixth edition of the international ATOLL Festival for contemporary circus will take place in Karlsruhe with around 80 artists from Canada, Spain, France, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Within a very short time, the ATOLL Festival has established itself as a German pioneer in the European circus scene. This year, the festival, organised by the Karlsruhe cultural centre TOLLHAUS, will present 16 productions, including two world premieres as well as numerous German premieres. More than three dozen performances in halls, tents and outdoors will be complemented by an exhibition project by Swiss artist and CircusNext award winner Julian Vogel in the Fleischmarkthalle at Alter Schlachthof and at ZKM | Karlsruhe.
Julian Vogel (*1990) studies psychology and art history at the University of Bern (CH) and subsequently obtains a BA at the Academy for Circus and Performance Art (ACaPA), Tilburg (NL, 2019). He founds »KLUB GIRKO« together with Josef Stiller (2017), collaborates with other artists and produces electronic music for circus and dance companies. In 2017 he starts his research around the diabolo and »CHINA SERIES«. Since 2020 Julian is »associated artist« at Panama Pictures (NL). Julian Vogel lives and works in Lucerne (CH).
