한국 현대 곡예/서커스의 시대적 변화 양상 -1960년대～2000년대의 레퍼토리를 중심으로-

Abstract

Korean modern circus is bifurcated between pre-liberation periodand post liberation period. In a narrow sense, modern circus refersto the post liberation period. The modern circus within Korea isfurther divided between North Korean and South Korean circus. South Korean circus can be further divided into three stages basedon the character of its repertoire - early period(1945-1960s),transition period(1970s to 1990s) and recent period(2000s～ ). First, early period repertoire consists of components such asmagic shows, body tricks, stage acts and stage shows such assinging and dancing. During this period, it inherited traditionalKorean circus from pre-liberation period and started to showtransformation by way of modernization and re-creation. Duringthis period, South Korean circus achieved modernization oftraditional repertoire. Second, during the transition period, South Korean circusreflected technical transformation of its time. Introduction oftelevision as a new venue to Korean circus caused rapid transitionof Korean circus repertoire. During the 1980s, stage actsdisappeared from the circus repertoire and it was replaced byanimal acts although it was temporary. The transformationcontinued and caused stage shows to disappear also from the circusrepertoire. During this period, circus from socialist states becamepopular and Korean circus played important role in culturaldiplomacy with such states. Third, in the recent period, Koran circus has lost its conventionalforum and forced to seek alternative repertoire by integrating otherart forms (fusion process). It has lost its traditional forum andbecame part of special performances as part of other culturalevents.