BANDALOOP are re-imagining dance, using the sides of skyscrapers, bridges, billboards and landmarks to stage their spectacular routines.
BANDALOOP are re-imagining dance, using the sides of skyscrapers, bridges, billboards and landmarks to stage their spectacular routines.
Carlos Brava
Vertical dance is certainly perspective-changing, but some spectators go as far as calling it life-changing. "I want to do something that causes a shift in the audience; some sort of transformation," says Amelia Rudolph, BANDALOOP's artistic director.
Vertical dance is certainly perspective-changing, but some spectators go as far as calling it life-changing. "I want to do something that causes a shift in the audience; some sort of transformation," says Amelia Rudolph, BANDALOOP's artistic director.
Thomas Cavanagh
"Hanging from a building that's over 400 feet tall is, first of all, just scary. In addition, one has to deal with wind and pollution -- things no traditional dancer would ever have to deal with," says Amelia Rudolph, BANDALOOP's founder and artistic director.
"Hanging from a building that's over 400 feet tall is, first of all, just scary. In addition, one has to deal with wind and pollution -- things no traditional dancer would ever have to deal with," says Amelia Rudolph, BANDALOOP's founder and artistic director.
Atossa Soltani
It takes effort to make vertical dance look effortless. The dancers use rock-climbing equipment and methods, as well as strong core muscles to defy gravity and keep their bodies perpendicular.
It takes effort to make vertical dance look effortless. The dancers use rock-climbing equipment and methods, as well as strong core muscles to defy gravity and keep their bodies perpendicular.
Krystal Harfert
BANDALOOP is an American company founded in 1991. They've performed in locations around the world -- from a water tower in South Africa to mountains in the Himalayas.
BANDALOOP is an American company founded in 1991. They've performed in locations around the world -- from a water tower in South Africa to mountains in the Himalayas.
Roel Seeber
The troupe has danced suspended from buildings measuring over 400 feet tall and on mountaintops 2,700 feet above the ground. <br />
The troupe has danced suspended from buildings measuring over 400 feet tall and on mountaintops 2,700 feet above the ground.
Atossa Soltani
To reach one of these dance locations -- El Capitan in Yosemite national park -- the dancers first had to perform technical climbing for six days and five nights. <br />
To reach one of these dance locations -- El Capitan in Yosemite national park -- the dancers first had to perform technical climbing for six days and five nights.
Atossa Soltani
Every time they perform on a new structure they need to adjust their choreography depending on its height and architectural features -- in part to match the building's spirit but not the least to avoid landing on windows or ledges.
Every time they perform on a new structure they need to adjust their choreography depending on its height and architectural features -- in part to match the building's spirit but not the least to avoid landing on windows or ledges.
Kelli Marsh
The company looks for opportunities to dance on buildings that in themselves are works of art. For example, they create routines that respond specifically to the architectural lines of buildings.
The company looks for opportunities to dance on buildings that in themselves are works of art. For example, they create routines that respond specifically to the architectural lines of buildings.
Craig Joujon-Roche
"In terms of architecture, there's this enormous interior open space at the TATE Modern in London that I one day want to activate with dance," says Rudolph. <br />
"In terms of architecture, there's this enormous interior open space at the TATE Modern in London that I one day want to activate with dance," says Rudolph.
Greg Bernstein
In BANDALOOP's over two-decade history there's been no serious accidents, just a few broken windows, says Rudolph.<br />
In BANDALOOP's over two-decade history there's been no serious accidents, just a few broken windows, says Rudolph.
Carlos Brava
The artistic director says she loves when "the audience is part of a journey" -- which sometimes happens quite literally. BANDALOOP once put on a performance that stretched over an one and a half mile long area which the audience had to walk along.
The artistic director says she loves when "the audience is part of a journey" -- which sometimes happens quite literally. BANDALOOP once put on a performance that stretched over an one and a half mile long area which the audience had to walk along.
Stephen Texeira
By activating public and natural spaces the troupe is not only re-imaging dance but also make it available to an audience that normally wouldn't visit dance performances.
By activating public and natural spaces the troupe is not only re-imaging dance but also make it available to an audience that normally wouldn't visit dance performances.
Stephen Texeira Photography
BANDALOOP's studio looks different from most other dance studios; featuring a 115 x 100 feet dance wall. Vertical dancers, however, often practice on normal floors. Mastering the art form primarily relies on being a masterful dancer. <br />
BANDALOOP's studio looks different from most other dance studios; featuring a 115 x 100 feet dance wall. Vertical dancers, however, often practice on normal floors. Mastering the art form primarily relies on being a masterful dancer.
Krystal Harfert
BANDALOOP's founder tells CNN that she often sees people in the audience with tears in their eyes.
BANDALOOP's founder tells CNN that she often sees people in the audience with tears in their eyes.
Atossa Soltani
One of her all-time favorite reactions came from an economist who said that their performance had turned his "calculative, reasonable, certain world" upside down.
One of her all-time favorite reactions came from an economist who said that their performance had turned his "calculative, reasonable, certain world" upside down.
Corey Rich