Hair hang

The hair hang is an aerial circus act where performers (usually young women) are suspended by their hair, performing acrobatic poses and/or manipulation. Some believe the act originated in South America; others claim the act hails from China. Performers hang suspended by their hair, which is tied into a hairhang rig; the techniques used to tie the performer's hair and the acrobatic techniques involved in the act are key.

Many people underestimate the tensile strength of hair. A single strand can potentially carry a weight of up to 100 grams (3.5 oz);^[1] in theory, with proper technique, a full head of human hair could eventually hold between 5,600 kg and 8,400 kg (12,345 to 18,518 lbs) without breaking individual hairs or pulling out any follicles.^{[citation needed]} However, the strength of a bundle of strands does not necessarily need to be the same as the sum of the strengths of each strand. Morever, the act still hurts, especially for new performers.

Hair hanging acts are prominently featured in the Cirque du Soleil touring productions Volta^[2] and Bazzar. In 2020, American violinist Lindsey Stirling hung from her hair while playing her signature piece "Crystalize" as part of her Home for the Holidays virtual concert.^[3]

References

^ With a typical diameter of 60 μm and a tensile strength on the order of 200 MPa, one obtains 0.57N, or about 57g. Cranford, Steve (2020). "Rapunzel! Rapunzel! How Strong Is Your Hair?". Matter. 2 (1): 16–18. doi:10.1016/j.matt.2019.12.016.
^ Sassman, Brooke (17 April 2019). "Meet the Cirque du Soleil performer who hangs by her hair". today.com. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
^ Jason Keil (9 December 2020). "Lindsey Stirling Hangs by Her Hair for Her New Holiday Special". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

External links

[1] With a typical diameter of 60 μm and a tensile strength on the order of 200 MPa, one obtains 0.57N, or about 57g. Cranford, Steve (2020). "Rapunzel! Rapunzel! How Strong Is Your Hair?". Matter. 2 (1): 16–18. doi:10.1016/j.matt.2019.12.016.

[2] Sassman, Brooke (17 April 2019). "Meet the Cirque du Soleil performer who hangs by her hair". today.com. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

[3] Jason Keil (9 December 2020). "Lindsey Stirling Hangs by Her Hair for Her New Holiday Special". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

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v t e Circus skills
Acrobatics, balance, and contortion	Acrobalance Adagio Aerial hoop Aerial silk Aerial straps Balance board Chair acrobatics Chinese pole Cloud swing Contortion Corde lisse Cradle Cyr wheel Hair hang Hand to hand Human pyramid Perch Risley Rolling globe Roman ladders Russian bar Russian swing Slacklining Slackwire Spanish web Tightrope Trapeze Flying Static Trick riding
Juggling and object manipulation	Bullwhip Cigar box manipulation Contact juggling Diabolo Hat manipulation Twirling Baton Hoop Plate Fire performance Fire breathing Fire eating Firewalking Toss juggling
Vaulting	Equestrian vaulting Human cannonball Teeterboard Trampoline
Other	Animal trainer Lion taming Clown Circus clown Globe of death Human firecracker Puppeteer Ringmaster Strongman Target girl Wheel of Death
Related	Carny Circus school Roustabout Showman Sideshow Flea circus
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References

External links