Wires Crossed - Head, Heart, Balance

Small-scale European cultural cooperation project between 4 organisations from 3 countries, which supports artistic and participatory excellence in funambulism (wirewalking with a balancing pole). It focuses on the creation of a new professional funambulism company called 'BassAlto', the creation of a new funambulism performance by BassAlto, and scientific research into the neurological effects of funambulism practice on the brain.
The project dwells on the ideas that funambulism as a circus art is accessible and enjoyable to all and that this unique activity, which requires both body and brain to be fully engaged, provokes a sense of wellbeing which can be proven by neuroscience. It supports a sense of belonging in a safe and accepting environment to a developing and growing transnational community of funambulists and it is relevant for the discussion about the benefits of arts for health and well-being.
The project aims to collaborate with universities and to publish scientific data on the wellness benefits of funambulism. This project is part of a broader programmed called ”Wires Crossed” started in 2017, gathering partners from 13 countries since then, with thousands of participants, instructors, artists and performers interested in funambulism, the art of walking across a wire using a balancing pole.
”Wires Crossed” programme had been developped with funding from 2 EU programmes since 2017: Erasmus+ and Creative Europe. The project was developed during the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture bidding process. At that time the city was faced with a tragic situation as a number of young people took their own lives drowning in the River Corrib. Wires Crossed envisioned a community effort that would bring people from all around Europe together to take part in a crossing of the River Corrib and Claddagh Basin to highlight the importance of positive mental health within our communities with a public display of hope, solidarity, and strength.