Silks
The performer climbs the suspended fabric without the use of safety lines, and rely only on their training and skill to ensure safety. Aerial silk (also known as aerial contortion, aerial ribbons, aerial silks, aerial tissues, fabric, ribbon, or tissu, depending on regional preference) is a type of performance in which one or more artists perform aerial acrobatics while suspended by a special fabric.Another common choice is polyester interlock. Routines are an exciting display of athleticism, coordination and flexibility. The following information is for academic reference only.
Aerial silks may be used to fly through the air, striking poses and figures while flying. When selecting fabric, there are a number of issues one must take into account. .
Any physical activity taking place off the ground carries a high level of risk of injury or death if not practiced with proper training and supervision. As with any kind of technical rigging, it is crucial for reasons of safety and liability that only professionally trained personnel set up and rig any acrobatic apparatus. The fabrics used as silks are incredibly strong with some give and flexibility. The fabric is usually quite long, as it is doubled for rigging, giving the acrobat two strips of fabric to work with as he or she performs. Fabric under the name of tricot chiffon is most commonly used by performers, though fabrics which have this name do vary.
The width varies, depending on the routine and the acrobat. The performer uses the fabric to wrap, suspend, fall, swing, and spiral their body into and out of various positions.
