Hourglass is a one hour contemporary juggling show performed and created by Luther Bangert. Centered around a suspended, swinging hourglass – open, trailing curtains of sand across the stage – the passage of time and our ways of measuring it are examined and explored.
Hourglass begins with a stage set simply with several piles of sand. As the performer enters the space, an hourglass appears as if from thin air – followed by juggling balls emerging magically from the sand. These moments of impossibility made possible are sprinkled throughout the show – objects hidden within the sand, finding just enough space or time to throw a ball around the fragile timepiece or avoid crashing into it. A visual feast unfolds throughout the hour through constant interaction between the juggling, the falling sand, body movement, and the swinging hourglass.
In modern society, we are constantly asked to ‘find’ more time, to do more with our time. Hourglass asks us – how we can shift this relationship to time within ourselves? What if – rather than constantly looking forward or backward and pushing ourselves to have or do more – we practice having and being enough?
Combining virtuosic technical juggling with fluid and expressive movement, above, below, and around the swinging hourglass – Luther Bangert invites everyone to contemplate different senses of time and enter a calm and ‘timeless’ space beyond that of our standardized clock time.
Hourglass is a meditation on the perception of time – an existential and performative tool kit for a softer relationship to the ticking clock.
SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 5 PM
FringeArts
140 N. Columbus Blvd,
Philadelphia, PA 19106
TICKETS
GA $30
Limited tickets for this show are “Sliding Scale”, or Pay What You Can, which means you are able to pick your price. If you are able to pay the suggested price, that will help to subsidize somebody else’s ticket in need, but seating is General Admission and is not determined by the amount you choose to pay.
Recommended for ages 7+
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Luther Bangert has juggled for twenty years and performed professionally around the world since 2010. From 2012 – 2016 he toured his solo acts extensively, performing in festivals and training/collaborating within contemporary circus communities in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia. In 2016 he settled in New York City, engaging with the circus and dance scene and studying qi gong and dance with Daria Faïn in her COREMOTION program. Since 2022 Luther has been based in Philadelphia and is the Juggling Teacher at the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus, the first government-recognized higher education program for Circus in the United States.
Luther has become known for his distinctive juggling style which blends high technical skill with fluid movement, and a keen sensitivity to the environment within which it is performed. He has been especially influenced by his studies and training with Stefan Sing, Jérôme Thomas, David Zambrano, Fighting Monkey, Peter Jasko, and Anton Lachky. Luther’s background in Philosophy – for which he has a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa – has greatly impacted his work. In his works, Luther is particularly interested in investigating common definitions and representations of skill, expression, and nonhierarchical storytelling. His previous show, Distillations, explored inner and outer states through juggling and live video projection.
He has performed at venues and festivals in more than twenty countries around the world including at the Esalen Institute, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Flying Carpet Children Festival, Linz Pflasterspektakel, New York Botanical Gardens, San Marino International Art Festival, Deltebre Dansa Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Great Bombay Circus and many more.
See More Circus!
The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival (PCCF) runs May 23 - June 1, 2025, featuring artists from Philly's vibrant contemporary circus community as well as ground-breaking artists from across the nation and beyond. These contemporary circus artists defy limitations, reimagine what’s possible, and create breathtaking moments of connection for audiences of all ages. Don't miss thrilling shows that blend acrobatics, dance, theater, and storytelling to push the boundaries of performance.
SUPPORT
The Philadelphia Contemporary Circus Festival is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.
