Vyacheslav Polunin Clown-mime (Asisyai from 'Litsedeev') Date of Birth: 12.06.1950 Country: Russia

1. Vyacheslav Polunin: A Biography
2. Early Life and Education
3. The Path to Mime and Clowning
4. The Birth of Asisyai and International Recognition
5. The Academy of Fools and International Success

Vyacheslav Polunin: A Biography

Vyacheslav Polunin is a Soviet and Russian actor, director, clown, and mime. He has been hailed by the Western press as the "best clown in the world" and the "best clown of the era." Polunin has received prestigious theater awards in various countries, including the Edinburgh "Golden Angel," the Spanish "Golden Nose," and the Laurence Olivier Award. In his homeland of Russia, he was honored with the "Triumph" prize in 2000.

Early Life and Education

Vyacheslav Polunin was born on June 12, 1950. His father, Ivan Pavlovich Polunin, and mother, Maria Nikolaevna Polunina, worked in the trade industry. His wife, Elena Dmitrievna Ushakova, is an actress who also works alongside him. They have three children: Dmitry Ushakov, Pavel Polunin, who is studying at a music school in St. Petersburg, and Ivan Polunin, who performs on stage with his parents.

Polunin's journey towards becoming a renowned artist began in his childhood, in the small town of Novosil in the Oryol region. Even in school, he often daydreamed about his own thoughts and rarely listened to his teachers. This tendency persists to this day; he is always thinking about his own ideas, although he has learned to listen over the years, especially to the audience. He can hear the breathing of each audience member, and his performances change depending on their reactions.

The Path to Mime and Clowning

Polunin's passion for mime originated as a rebellion against the strict censorship prevalent during his time. Mime's fluid movements provided an alternative to the often stifled and meaningless words of that era. Despite being frequently expelled from school for distracting his classmates with his hilarious antics, Polunin's interest in the arts continued to grow. His fascination with Charlie Chaplin and the film "The Kid" sparked his desire to pursue a career in the theatrical arts.

Although he initially failed the entrance exam for a theater institute due to speech difficulties, Polunin eventually enrolled at the Leningrad Institute of Culture, where he later became a teacher. During his time in Leningrad, he formed the group "Licedei" in 1968 and explored the art of pantomime. The group gained recognition and performed successfully, even appearing on television. Polunin dedicated his free time to self-education, spending hours in libraries and studying various art forms.

The Birth of Asisyai and International Recognition

In 1981, Polunin created a new character called Asisyai for the New Year celebration. Asisyai was a small, naive, and trembling character dressed in a yellow jumpsuit, a red scarf, and red shaggy slippers. This character marked a turning point in Polunin's career as his miniatures gained recognition and he received numerous awards, including second place in the All-Union Contest of Variety Artists.

In 1982, Polunin organized the legendary "Mime Parade" in Leningrad, which brought together around 800 mime artists from all over the country. In 1985, he invited clowns from the then-inaccessible Western countries to Moscow for a festival of mime and clowning. Polunin's efforts continued as he organized the All-Union Festival of Street Theaters in Leningrad in 1987, where participants were stranded on an uninhabited island for artistic development.

The Academy of Fools and International Success

Polunin later established the "Academy of Fools," which aimed to revive carnival culture in Russia. The project faced financial challenges, but Polunin's international tours provided the necessary support. He has been touring for over seven years, and currently resides in London where he owns a large house. However, his true home is his mobile theater, which travels with him and houses his library, video collection, props, and workshop.

Polunin's contributions to the world of theater and his dedication to his craft have earned him the title of the "best clown in the world" by the Western press. He continues to work tirelessly, constantly generating new ideas and plans. His dream of establishing a cultural center under the "Academy of Fools" in Moscow is drawing closer to reality, with the Moscow government allocating funds for the project. Polunin's ultimate goal is to create a vibrant and unconventional artistic community that fosters creativity and improvisation.

Today, Vyacheslav Polunin is a living embodiment of celebration, both on and off stage. He is capable of being tough, calculating, and invulnerable, but it is because at his core, like any true artist, he is vulnerable, adaptable, and sensitive. He is a man who creates joy and revels in the pleasure of life.