Loud music, acrobatic tricks at dizzying heights and fire breathers – everything you would imagine from a classic circus. In contrast, Kolja Huneck, who was born in Munich, breaks with traditional expectations as a contemporary circus artist. The 28-year-old completed his bachelor’s degree in 2019 at the circus school in Rotterdam. His specialty is juggling.
“In Germany in particular, the term circus is coined by family circuses like Cirkus Krone. The spectators have very specific expectations,” says Kolja. The juggler is not only interested in showing high-quality technology, but also in telling stories and experiences. During his studies he discovered records as a juggling object for a semester project in the first year.
Most recently, Kolja combined his style of juggling with colors and visual images. With the colors green, blue, violet, red, orange and yellow he created a dramaturgy. “Because colors are extremely subjective, the circus is so exciting. It can be interpreted and perceived in very different ways.”
Kolja is currently in the conception phase for a duo project with his Dutch colleague Luuk Brantjes. His records are the focus by exploring the raw materials petroleum and plastic of the juggling object. The joy of experimenting with materials and the fascination for objects that the audience can relate to appeal to him the most.
Kolja Huneck deals with politics, society and values in his works and thus meets the audience on an equal footing – unlike the traditional circus. His down-to-earthness is also noticeable during the interview. He sits loosely and relaxed on his exercise mat the whole time. In five years he wants to continue working on the stage.
“For me, circus is a language of its own, consisting of a vocabulary that you first have to acquire,” explains Kolja. For example, he heats the records he has made himself and forms them into juggling balls. There is a different dynamic and a different quality of juggling. He also worked with ice records that melted during the performance.