Research[Cre]Action

During the summer of 2010, I had the unique opportunity to live and work with a traveling circus in southern Chile, an experience that profoundly influenced my approach to game design, social interaction, and the concept of play. This transformative journey began with a year-long ethnographic research project where I delved into the circus community's way of life. I documented their everyday practices, their relationship with performance, and how they created a living through playful engagement with audiences. My time with the circus evolved from mere observation to full participation as a performer, and I traveled alongside them, playing the role of a clown.

Living within this community taught me the essence of performance as a form of social play, where the boundaries between work and play are fluid, and where improvisation is key. Being a part of their traveling troupe allowed me to observe how ludic structures (games, performances, rituals) govern not only the shows but also social dynamics within the community. It was during this time that I further developed my fascination with how play can be used to challenge societal norms, build resilience, and foster collaboration.

One of the outcomes of this project was my video essay, The Circus: Life in Motion, which was later published in the Chilean Journal of Visual Anthropology in 2011. This video captures the energy and fluidity of circus life, highlighting the emotional and physical dedication of performers. As part of my ongoing work, I plan to release a remastered version of the video with improved resolution, making it accessible through Rio Junto youtube channel.

This circus experience has since influenced much of my research and teaching methodology, particularly in the use of play as a tool for learning, community building, and creativity. Through this, I continue to explore the intersections of performance, play, and social dynamics, which remain at the heart of my academic and creative work.