THE EMERGENCE OF FIRE SPINNING
This of-the-moment art form has ancient roots in tribal tradition. The Maori people of New Zealand developed poi spinning techniques as part of their ritual celebrations. Poi are dance props consisting of weighted objects attached to hand-held ropes or chains and spun in a series of complex rhythmic patterns accompanied by ceremonial drumming.

Reinterpreted in live flame by a handful of Western artists, fire spinning began to flicker at the obscure edge of the performance art scene in the 1990s. By the early 2000s, fire performance had blazed into popularity.

Widespread awareness was fueled in part by the fire spinners who thronged to the annual Burning Man festival in the deserts of Nevada. There, thousands were captivated for the first time by the dramatic spectacle of this fiery art form. Festival-goers returned home to disseminate fire spinning images via Internet. Hip young advertising creatives enthusiastically embraced the avant-garde Burning Man aesthetic.

As word spread, fire performance evolved from a fringe experiment into an edgy artistic movement. Bohemian fire spinning troupes sprang up in cities around the country, demonstrating their skills at raves, rock concerts, night clubs, beach parties, and festivals. Diverse performance styles developed as performers experimented with innovative equipment and hybrid art concepts. Today, fire spinning is recognized as an exciting evolution in modern performance art.


ABOUT TIM PROKOTT
FireMagick founder Tim Prokott was first introduced to fire spinning during his exploration of the Burning Man phenomena. Captivated by the visceral appeal of live flame and intrigued by the complexity of traditional Maori forms, he determined to study poi. After training in Vancouver under performance artist and avid poi promoter Nick Woolsey, Tim went on to develop his own signature style.

Tim has been performing across the country and internationally since 2004. He founded FireMagick to bring his elegant interpretive style to discerning audiences. FireMagick performances gracefully combine intricate Maori techniques with the drama of live flame and the fluidity of contemporary dance. The juxtaposition of danger and beauty is breathtaking and unforgettable.