Welcome to Contortion International

Introduction of a new guild in support of international contortion arts. Our modest proposal for our non-profit association is outlined. We also present our first significant event.

What does it mean to be a contortionist? You might have wondered, watching these extraordinarily flexible performers ply their seemingly impossible craft, just how they are able to amaze us so. What isn't seen, are the hours, weeks, even years of training and perfecting routines, actively maintaining their limberness, but more often than not, toiling alone, often in obscurity. Unless you were a devoted enthusiast, how many really well known contortionists could you name?

Earlier this year, a new association was formed, based in Canada, but with the help of the internet community, managed to reach out to those who are pioneering contortionism into a legitimately recognized artform. The group now has members from four continents, some as actual practitioners and trainers of the art, others, very motivated devotees, who enjoy the craft of contortion so much that they have created dozens of websites, archiving photos and biographies so that the history and interest in the art will not soon be forgotten.

The non-profit organization, "Contortion International" ( Website: http://www.contortion.ca ) was created to fill a need for the common goal of assisting the new aspirants (as well as established ones) to be able to network, develop resources, and raise consciousness for this developed skill - even though not everyone is capable of outrageous pliability, those with a bit extra limberness might consider investigating the possibility of being part of a truly unique artistry, one that erases the boundaries between us as we attempt to understand our global village. An imminent goal for the organization is to prepare for the upcoming conference in November, in Koln, Germany ( website: http://www.icc-convention.com/ ) by assisting at least one performer in her journey from Australia to the gala performance in Koln. Eventually, we have mandated that a school of contortion will be built in North America, the first of its kind specifically devoted to such training.

As a show of support, Contortion International is very proud to announce its very first donation, coming from the agency representing the Beijing Acrobatic school ( website: http://www.contort.org/agency/home.shtml ), and will be looking forward to sponsoring more interesting fund raising events beginning in July 2003.

For more information, contact:

Paul Chownyk
Contortion International
http://www.contortion.ca
519-254-2129

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