Playing with Fire 1
by Theresa Ramos-DuVon
Title
Playing with Fire 1
Artist
Theresa Ramos-DuVon
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
FIRE DANCERS IN SANTA CRUZ
Fire dancing is a hot topic these days. From Santa Cruz, California, to Paris, France, playing with fire has become something of a flaming phenomenon.
The term fire dance has come to include dancing with everything from fire fans, elegant twisted metal fans with points of fire along their edges, to fire staffs. Fire hoola hoops, fire juggling balls, fire swords, fire fingers-- the variety is almost endless. The effect is the same though. The sense of awe that fire dance inspires connects the various expressions of the art with a net of mystery and magic.
The most common of the fire arts, at least around Santa Cruz, California, is poi. Poi are two heavy kevlar wicks attached to chains. The artist soaks these wicks in white gas or lamp oil, lights them and swings them in patterns that vary from beautiful to ferocious. Every Sunday evening at the West Cliff Lighthouse Park, fire dancers can be seen flickering their poi and staffs and hoops at the local Fire University.
FUSC, more commonly called FU, is a sister group to FU Davis and FU Seattle. The people who organize FUSC are focused on creating a supportive community in Santa Cruz, where those new to the thrill of fire can learn from those with more experience and those with experience can dance with friends.
What most people notice first is the sound. More than the heat, or the weight, or the sparks, it's the sound that people comment on after their first time dancing with fire. The roar, like dragons wheeling orange around their bodies. After the roar comes the heat, the weight on their fingers, the sparks in their eyes.
Uploaded
January 26th, 2013
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