Explore the euphoric history of fluid arts


Photo credit: Six Degrees Creative


Dive into the meaning of fluid arts, how they came to be and why they have become an indispensable part of the rave and festival scene.


One of the biggest attractions at music festivals and electronic shows isn’t always what’s on stage; instead, it is inside the crowd that a plethora of fluid arts are performed. While the main part of the dance floor can get crowded with attendees, towards the back there are vibrant hoops, glowing glove fingers and poi performers swinging lights like crazy. The scene is lively and impressive, regardless of experience level.

The electronic music scene is full of flow toys – an object or accessory that provokes movement, dance and exploration with the music and oneself. You can make anything into a prop, but the main ones that are usually seen have historical significance to them. These props continue to connect the evolving impact of music and community to our growing civilization, as we can see through history.

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This expansion of our ancestral physical pursuits has skyrocketed into an art form in its own right. The term fluid arts can be described as a blend of object manipulation and dance expression that encourages a flow state. A to flow is determined to be a performer’s mental state as he is completely immersed in a sense of overflowing involvement, energetic focus and an overwhelming sense of confidence.

The separation of what flow is from what the arts of flow are small but important.

This movement-based art form of skill-based prop manipulation, exploratory dance and energized passion for total involvement is true fluid art. Finding your rhythm takes a variety of skills and a lot of focus to rise to the challenge. You could just go through the motions and not really at your own pace; therefore, there is no flow, just a manipulation of props for a performance.

A show within a personal show immerses you in dimensions that your brain has not yet explored as a performer. Each individual performance by an artist is unique because, predominantly, flow is characterized by complete absorption in what the artist is doing. Music is channeled through people differently, so no performance or artist is like another. That’s what makes it so unique is that one flow state is unlike any other, making it a true art form.

2020 SoCal Crush Gloves
Photo credit: Sincerity Photos

But where did the fluid arts come from?

Fluid arts are a combination of to flow from motion-based expressions to dancing and those extra props or -flow toys. This activity has become a major attraction on the music scene, but where does it come from? Different fluid art techniques come from different cultures and backgrounds and have been passed down through the centuries. Accessories such as hoops, poi, Personal, jugglingand others are seen over and over again, even long before any sort of historical record was created.

Digging even deeper, the word poi simply means “ball on a string”. The Maori, a Polynesian tribe, used the poi for storytelling, ceremonial meaning, and exercise techniques. This performance typically included hoops, which transcended both Western dance culture and Hawaiian ceremonies. The hoop means the “endless circle of life » throughout multiple indigenous ceremonies, and each community uses this accessory as a form of self-expression.

In Native American culture, a specific hoop dance is also performed during traditional healing ceremonies. The expressive power of vibrational waves, like music, can make you feel like you exist in another dimension, also called a flow state. The power of dancing to the rhythm of the drums embodies its own meaning in the movements of different animal species that connect. Spinning like an eagle in a takedown or bouncing like a baby deer encompasses this celebration of life.

Another good example of props that have significant experience is staff work. The skilled movement of personnel labor comes from the practice of Kung Fu. In China, this movement practice requires total energy, patience and time to perform. It was originally designed as an exercise to practice centering a performer’s “tai chi” or internal energy. This concentration is beneficial for health and well-being.

The growing interest in this type of healing entertainment comes from the dawn of time..

Throughout history you see ancient rituals and healing ceremonies that are still largely unknown to many patrons. Science has proven that physical activity immediately increases levels of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain, affecting concentration and attention. The healing power of community, music and physical activity are key ingredients for positive mental health, and fluid art is that connecting factor to the festival lifestyle. If you’re new here, it’s important to note the pristine community vibes that electronic music brings to the world.

The flow of props has been passed down through ceremonies and performances in a multitude of different backgrounds and cultures. No matter the accessory, they all carry the same intention; the performer focuses all of her energy on self-expression and celebration. These similarities create a sense of community when brought together, and the electronic scene is synonymous with peace, love, unity and respect. These values ​​created the perfect framework to continue what our ancestors started.

It becomes easier to connect when different backgrounds of people come together through food, music and dance, such as at festivals or performances. It’s human nature to find creative ways to express ourselves, as well as benefit our mental and physical health, which is why it has slowly taken root through evolution.

Fluid Art - 2022
Photo credit: Tiffany Sébastien

Why has flow art become so popular?

With the advancement of how different backgrounds come together, such as dance music festivals, flow art has become a great connection for people to share their culture with each other. The growing popularity of such a small activity is astronomical, and there are professional performers. When the props are manipulated, it creates an encapsulating performance, and that flow becomes contagious to everyone. Fluid art has come a long way to include flashy lights, a multitude of toys, or a more traditional fire in some cases.

We’ve been entertaining and healing since the dawn of time, so these aren’t new traditions. As humans, entertainment and personal healing are natural phenomena and we have found ways to evolve these activities. Other forms of self-expression products extend to other fluid arts such as silk rope, light wandsWhere toys in orbit. It’s simply walking on water in the sea of ​​historic empowerment that is felt through the flow with live music, community and dance.

Now you know what flow toys are, what a flow state is, what type of props are used, and how they have historically impacted the dance music scene. Gracefully handling props and using them as an extension of yourself is already amazing, and the feeling can become euphoric with the addition of music. You have the opportunity to dive into unabashed self-expression through music, dance and community – so go find your groove at the next festival you attend!


Do you practice fluid arts or have you fallen in love with it over the years? Let us know!

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