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Gene Mendez (1937-1993) is a legendary figure among high wire artists, a talented and fearless performer who helped popularize the style of the solo “daredevil” high-wire artist—as opposed to the often slow-moving high wire troupes that were the norm until the early 1970s. Energetic, nimble, with a wonderful “Latino” temperament, he worked without a balancing pole and without a net, in the manner of low wire artists such as Con Colleano.
 
Gene Mendez (1937-1993) is a legendary figure among high wire artists, a talented and fearless performer who helped popularize the style of the solo “daredevil” high-wire artist—as opposed to the often slow-moving high wire troupes that were the norm until the early 1970s. Energetic, nimble, with a wonderful “Latino” temperament, he worked without a balancing pole and without a net, in the manner of low wire artists such as Con Colleano.
  
He was born Giner E. Mendez in 1937 in Moca, in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. His family moved to Brooklyn, New York, when Gene was still a child. He wanted to be a circus artist; it was not just a vague childhood dream: As a teenager, he began to train seriously in gymnastics (notably on the horizontal bars) and did some bodybuilding. In 1951, after seeing Harold Alzana in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Gene began self-training in wire walking… in his mother’s apartment! He quickly developed a talent for the craft, and eventually participated in a televised talent show in Philadelphia, where Karl Wallenda noticed him.... ([[Gene Mendez|more...]])
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He was born Giner E. Mendez in 1937 in Moca, in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. His family moved to Brooklyn, New York, when Gene was still a child. He wanted to be a circus artist; it was not just a vague childhood dream: As a teenager, he began to train seriously in gymnastics (notably on the horizontal bars) and did some bodybuilding. In 1951, after seeing Harold Alzana in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Gene began self-training in wire walking… in his mother’s apartment! He quickly developed a talent for the craft, and eventually participated in a televised talent show in Philadelphia, where Karl Wallenda noticed him.
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The famous high wire artist contacted Gene and offered him to become a member of his troupe. Mendez trained with the Master, who had a special method for teaching confidence on the wire (which was close to the ground during rehearsals): He shook it violently to test his students’ balance. One day, the exercise led Gene to lose his balance pole and violently sway the cable as he fought to stay on it; Karl Wallenda had to jump down, but Gene quickly resumed his composure and remained on the wire, walking without his balance pole "à la Alzana." In fact, he always found it difficult to keep the pole in balance—even though the pole was meant to help him keep his balance!... ([[Gene Mendez|more...]])
  
 
==New Biographies==
 
==New Biographies==

Revision as of 23:08, 31 October 2016

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In The Spotlight

Gene Mendez jumping.jpeg

GENE MENDEZ

Gene Mendez (1937-1993) is a legendary figure among high wireA tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wire. artists, a talented and fearless performer who helped popularize the style of the solo “daredevil” high-wire artist—as opposed to the often slow-moving high wireA tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wire. troupes that were the norm until the early 1970s. Energetic, nimble, with a wonderful “Latino” temperament, he worked without a balancing pole and without a net, in the manner of low wireA tight, light metallic cable, placed between two platforms not very far from the ground, on which a wire dancer perform dance steps, and acrobatic exercises such as somersaults. (Also: Tight Wire) artists such as Con Colleano.

He was born Giner E. Mendez in 1937 in Moca, in the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico. His family moved to Brooklyn, New York, when Gene was still a child. He wanted to be a circus artist; it was not just a vague childhood dream: As a teenager, he began to train seriously in gymnastics (notably on the horizontal bars) and did some bodybuilding. In 1951, after seeing Harold Alzana in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily show at Madison Square Garden in New York, Gene began self-training in wire walking… in his mother’s apartment! He quickly developed a talent for the craft, and eventually participated in a televised talent show in Philadelphia, where Karl Wallenda noticed him.

The famous high wireA tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wire. artist contacted Gene and offered him to become a member of his troupe. Mendez trained with the Master, who had a special method for teaching confidence on the wire (which was close to the ground during rehearsals): He shook it violently to test his students’ balance. One day, the exercise led Gene to lose his balance pole and violently sway the cable as he fought to stay on it; Karl Wallenda had to jump down, but Gene quickly resumed his composure and remained on the wire, walking without his balance pole "à la Alzana." In fact, he always found it difficult to keep the pole in balance—even though the pole was meant to help him keep his balance!... (more...)

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CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding encyclopedia of the international circus. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. So keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to contact us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.

Dominique Jando
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