Benjamin Richter

Benjamin Richter is a pioneering contemporary circus artist who has been working at the intersection of juggling, dance and performance art for 34 years. During this time, he has developed a unique artistic voice through his somatic movement and object-oriented methods.  The starting point for Benjamin’s creation processes is his TLO (The Language of Objects) method, he creates performance pieces based on a non-hierarchical physical dialogue between humans and objects. He sees his role as a juggler to reveal and convey aspects of the nature of the objects he works with and he is the originator of the term "jugglicality". He places a strong emphasis on revealing and sharing the situations, pictures and metaphors that arise through empathic manipulation, physical listening, and subtle contemporary clown.

Benjamin has shared, and continues to share his knowledge and experience with countless younger circus artists.  As well as designing, leading and teaching BA, MA and freestanding courses at SKH (DOCH) since 2003, he has worked as an artistic advisor, choreographer, director, and mentor for Andrea Salustri, Kolja Huneck, Luuk Braantjes, Wes Peden, Francesca Hyde, Stefan Sing, Roman Skadra, Hippana Maleta, Saar Rombout, Marie-Andree Robitaille and many others. In parallel, he has continuously created and performed his own object-oriented circus works, both as a soloist and in various collaborations with the Bauhaus Dessau foundation, Atemzug Cologne, Gandini Juggling and the Czech association for Choreographic Development.

Benjamin performs his solo piece "TAKTiL" in museums, galleries and other unusual performance venues.  He is currently collaborating with circus dramaturge Jenny Patschovsky on a new object oriented performance called "Rapt".

Benjamin Richter