In this album of found photos of contortions and acrobatics, Robert E. Jackson shows us people bending both professionally in circuses and sideshows, and getting bent out of shape for fun.
We meet Les Ocap, a family of acrobats working in 1930s Swtizerland, the suburban Kriel family, and the Three Sondellas. And, as ever, let’s imagine the stories between the pictures…
“[…]the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes “Awww!”
— Jack Kerouac, On the Road
“My own opinion is enough for me, and I claim the right to have it defended against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, any place, any time. And anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.”
— Christopher Hitchens, Toronto 2006
“Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides, you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.”
— Shawn Slovo, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin (film script)
Somewhere in the ancient mystic trinity
You get three as a magic number
The past and the present and the future
The faith and hope and charity
The heart and the brain and the body
Give you three as a magic number– Schoolhouse Rock, Three Is A Magic Number
You put your whole self in
Your whole self out
In, out, in out, shake it all about
You do the Hokey Cokey
And you turn around
That’s what it’s all about– The Hokey Cokey
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine, I walk the line– I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash and The Tennessee Two
“According to Greek mythology, humans were originally created with four arms, four legs and a head with two faces. Fearing their power, Zeus split them into two separate parts, condemning them to spend their lives in search of their other halves.”
— Plato, The Symposium
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I’m sure that my left leg is broke.
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button’s caving in.– Sick by Shel Silverstein
Save your neck or save your brother
Looks like it’s one or the other
Oh, you don’t know the shape I’m in– The Shape I’m In by The Band
We’ve lots more from Robert E. Jackson on the site. And you can follow him here for more great stuff.
Would you like to support Flashbak?
Please consider making a donation to our site. We don't want to rely on ads to bring you the best of visual culture. You can also support us by signing up to our Mailing List. And you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. For great art and culture delivered to your door, visit our shop.
