Naïade is a spectacular creation by the company Out of the Blue, a true sensory experience where contemporary circus meets the fascinating world of water. Presented outdoors at the Théâtre du Rond-Point in Paris, this 50-minute show invites the audience to discover an art form as original as it is poetic: a huge transparent aquarium becomes the stage where four acrobats perform completely submerged.
Fully clothed and holding their breath, the artists defy the laws of gravity to deliver a hypnotic choreography. In this liquid space, bodies float, turn, intertwine, and create lifts, balances, and aerial figures impossible to reproduce out of water. The movements seem slowed, amplified by the resistance of the aquatic environment, creating a constant impression of levitation.
The result of several years of research into freediving and circus arts, Naïade continues the artistic exploration undertaken by the Out of the Blue company, which makes water a true partner in performance. Every breath, every pause, and every movement becomes choreographic material. The monumental aquarium transforms the stage into a parallel world where the artists move in a delicate aquatic ballet.
The creation is led by Frédéri Vernier and Sébastien Davis VanGelder, supported by Petra Steindl, Fynn Neb, and Natalia Wilk, with an outside perspective provided by Matthieu Gary. The electronic music of Hans Kunze, the costumes by Emmanuelle Grobet, and the construction of the impressive pool by Franz Clochard – Mécanique Vivante all contribute to this immersive sensory experience.
Beyond the physical feat, Naïade celebrates the evocative power of water. The performance evokes childhood, freedom, reverie, and also our essential connection to this vital element. The artists create floating circles, dynamic flows, and living tableaux where every movement seems suspended in time. Blending contemporary circus, dance, visual performance, and physical theatre, this creation offers a contemplative and profoundly immersive experience.
Presented in a giant outdoor aquarium, Naïade is a rare artistic offering, accessible to both contemporary circus enthusiasts and spectators seeking an extraordinary aesthetic experience. Through this ode to movement and water, the Out of the Blue company delivers a show that is as spectacular as it is sensitive, where acrobatic technique is entirely at the service of poetry.