AERIAL ACROBATICS AND POLE SPORTS IN THE CONTEXT OF CONTEMPORARY ART AND SPORTS CULTURE IN UKRAINE AND THE WORLD

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of aerial acrobatics and pole sports as the latest forms of synthesis between art, sport, and stage performance. It analyzes the development of these disciplines around the world and in Ukraine particularly their integration into circus arts, the fitness industry, and the sports competition system. It highlights the activities of the international organizations POSA and IPSF, which regulate the development and standards of competitions, and analyzes the artistic aspects of performances that combine technical skill and aesthetic expressiveness.
The article explores relevant aspects of creating a stage image in aerial acrobatics and pole sport, which play an important role alongside the technical training of performers. The author emphasizes a comprehensive approach to performance preparation, which includes choreography, movement plasticity, costume design, hairstyle, music selection, and the alignment of the chosen image with the athlete's individual characteristics (age, gender, and level of physical readiness).
Special attention is given to gender differentiation in creating performance characters. In particular, the article discusses the development of male characters that emphasize the strength, masculinity, and charisma of performers, taking into account their anatomical capabilities and technical skillsets. For boys, characters from cartoons and movies (such as Superman, Spider-Man, or Cossack figures) are selected, as they are relatable and appealing to young athletes.
Meanwhile, for girls, both classic images (like ballerinas, Cinderella, angels) and more complex, dramatic roles (such as Maleficent or Wednesday Addams) are used-roles that require a deeper understanding of character and performance
skills.
The article highlights the educational function of a stage image: by selecting appropriate roles and emotionally rich performances, children develop aesthetic perception, self-expression skills, empathy, and a sense of responsibility.
The author presents examples from actual performances at the Five Stars festival in Lviv and from reporting concerts of
the «Shokolad» School of Dance and Aerial Acrobatics, which illustrate the diversity of creative approaches in staging
performances.
Both individual and group routines using pole and aerial silk apparatuses are analyzed. Among the most notable are The Grinch, Hymn of Love, Back to the Future, The Crane, and others. Each serves as an example of a successful combination of acrobatic elements, dramaturgy, and artistic expression. The article concludes that the success of a performance depends not only on the athlete’s technical level but also on the coherence of the character image, its emotional depth, and the ability to convey meaning to the audience.