I’m Gabriele Manca, Italian Artist based in Rotterdam, Nederlands. I decided to change my life ten years ago, dropping my studying Building Construction Engineer in favor of something that could allow me to express myself with more freedom. This is how Circus enter I my Life. Besides my many artistic interests (from painting to sculpting and whatever is relate to Visual Art) I’ve start studying to become a Circus Performer, graduating successfully two years ago in Codarts. And now I’m figuring out a way to combine all these Passions, craving to create a product that might not only describe myself but also open paths of confrontation with the audience.
Just a taste: https://vimeo.com/175103091
What is the best thing that I love about my work? Freedom. I’m free to plan my own schedule according to my need. Is not always nice and easy, specially because it’s still quite hard to find a place where to rig up the pole and develop my creations, But I can always figure out ways to stay fit to be ready to work anytime I can!
What is my idea of perfect happiness? I simply don’t believe in Perfection. And I consider Happiness quite ephemeral. But I guess that standing for and achieving my goals could be close enough to that idea.
What is my greatest fear? I cannot really say. I’m afraid of heights but I’m climbing and perform stunts on a 6mt Pole. You fear only what you don’t know. So if you learn to face your Fears with the right Respect, you might not get rid of it but somehow you can tame them.
What is the trait that I most deplore in myself? My lack of tolerance towards stupidity and closed/squared minds. But I’m working on it.
Which living persons in my profession do i most admire? My teacher, Jesse Huygh. A great Teacher, fantastic Friend and amazing Human Being.
What is my greatest extravagance? Be as more true as I can. Almost without any care. People get quite irritated by Truth. But having no filter it’s also a huge conquerer in terms of freedom.
On what occasion would I lie? I prefer to use half-truths more than lies, if I really have to. The good thing about truth, is that you don’t have to keep in mind the fictional things that you create trough lies.
What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work? Lack of professionalism. I know that the Circus world is exciting and beautiful so it’s understandable that many people wants to join it. But when “amateurs” start to offer underpaid performances because anyway they have their back covered by other incomes, is not nice. Specially if you make a living out of that and you have to re-arrange your fee because those people “ruin” the market.
When and where was I the happiest, in my work? I was pretty happy with my school internship, working in the circus dance piece “Alpha: the new wilderness” from Panama Pictures. But the happiest moment was probably when I sold and performed my throwing knives/pole act with success, even if at my school wasn’t really well supported.
If I could, what would I change about myself? As I said before, I would like to be more tolerant towards closed/squared minds.
What is my greatest achievement in work? I’m facing my Fear. TO push my edge every time a bit further it’s a great achievement and a huge satisfaction!
What do the words ‘The Financial Freedom to Create’ mean to me? Endless possibility. The chance to express my Creativity 120%
Where would I most like to live? Wherever I could get a space to create all my projects.
What is my most treasured possession? My Curiosity and my Creativity
What is my most marked characteristic? I’m Italian.
What is my most inspirational location, in my city? My school, the only place where I can train with the pole. Surrounded by other creative performers.
What is my favourite place to eat and drink, in my city? I really like to hang out at Fenix Food Factory: good food and huge beer choice!
What books influenced my life and how? Many ancient oriental Masters: Musashi Miyamoto with Go Rin No Sho and Yamamoto Tsunetomo with Hagakure. But also the huge production from Albert Camus and Italo Calvino, Miguel Cervantes and his Don Quixote (that inspired my graduation act), George Orwell and Mark Twain with their offbeat vision of the society of their time. But also Herman Hesse with Siddharta and last but not least, Hugo Pratt with his Corto Maltese graphic novels.
You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day? It depends a lot by different things. My mood, in which conditions I’m dying and things like that… But I guess that the Ninth Symphony from Ludwig Van Beethoven could fit more or less every possible scenario.
Who is my hero or heroine in fiction? I grew up reading lots of comics, specifically Spiderman and Batman.
Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? Buster Keaton overall, but also all the people that are fighting to protect all the beings that cannot defend themselves: special mention for all the Rangers that take care and preserve all the Wild Life of the planet.
Which movie would i recommend to see once in a lifetime? Whoa. Good question. I’m a movie addicted so it’s really not easy to answer… They’re too many. Picking some random titles I would say: Blade Runner, Equilibrium, Fight Club, The man how laughs, Bram Staker’s Dracula… No, really: too many.
What role plays art in my life and work? I consider myself an herald of Art. Hope it explains enough.
Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My parents. Without their trust and their support I could never achieve what I’ve done so far.
Whom would I like to work with in 2018? Whoever is up to challenge her/himself with a creative project
What project, in 2018, am I looking forward to work on? Actually two: I’m developing a new project based on dreams, with another five friends of mine. And my personal project, around Circus, theater, Masks and myths from every corner of the World
Where can you see me or my work in 2018? In January I’ll present a rough version of my personal concept In Brussels, right at the end of a Mask workshop. Then we’ll present different work in progress of the group production around Netherlands but eventually also in Barcelona and Norway
What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? I take these words as literally as possible. By time, I might not be able to perform in the same way I do now, but I’m sure that I’ll figure out a way according to the conditions that I will have to face.
Which creative heroes should Peter invite to tell their story? All those people that decide to believe in their dreams and stand for them.
How can you contact me?
• Gabriele Manca, DMQ Productions
+31645910916
Facebook: DMQ Productions
LinkedIn: lnkedin.com/in/gabriele-manca-0a100b54
Passion Never Retires 