ROC IN LICHEN PIONEERS VERTICAL DANCE 400 METERS ABOVE GROUND

## The Original Vertical Visionaries Laura de Nercy and Bruno Dizien performed Le Creux Poplite (The Popliteal Cavity) 400 meters above ground in a bathroom precariously hung from the cliffs of calcareous rock structure in the Georges du Verdon. This was not a stunt. It was the birth of an art form. Since 1983, these dancers-interpreters approached work on verticality and its supports by conducting in-depth corporal investigation and developing singular choreographic writing. While today's vertical dance scene generates millions through companies like BANDALOOP and attracts mainstream performers like Pink, Le Creux Poplite was the first piece performed by the Roc in Lichen dance company. The bathroom was created by architect, sculptor and rock climber Jean Marc Blanche. The installation of the stage took place over 10 days by a team of trained rock climbers, such as Bernard Gorgeon, who also belayed the dancers during their performance. ## Before BANDALOOP, Before Pink The timing matters. Amelia Rudolph founded Bandaloop in 1991, bringing together dance, climbing, and varied off-the-ground movement into site-reactive performances on cliffs, urban structures, and in theaters. But Roc in Lichen had been conducting their investigation into verticality since 1983, eight years earlier. The roots of vertical dance go back to France, where several companies experimented with the art of climbing, called Danse Escalade, using climbing as a creative form for video and films in the 1960s and 70s. United by a shared love of mountaineering, de Nercy and Dizien began to enrich their performances with movements inspired by climbing. After 17 years of intensive creations, the company stopped in 2001, then taught and practiced more intimate and personal artistic activities. They disbanded before vertical dance exploded into the mainstream consciousness. ## The Science of Suspension Le Creux Poplite is named after the cavity found behind the knee which aids in the bending of the leg back to the thigh. The anatomical reference was not accidental. Vertical dance explores the art of performing when gravity shifts, developing performance presence and discovering artistic voice in harness movement fundamentals. Amelia Rudolph's work is informed by natural and built spaces, human relationships, and by non-traditional relationships with gravity. But Aeriosa was founded to explore the transformative potential of vertical dance in collaboration with performers, musicians, and visual artists, contributing to the worldwide impact and relevance of the vertical dance art form. ## The Movement Goes Mainstream The 2026 China Extreme Dance Performance Competition was held from January 14 to 15 at Atlantis Sanya, attracting 24 contestants from over 10 provinces and municipalities. Extreme Dance is an innovative sport evolved from street dance, featuring contestants performing on land and underwater stages, showcasing a blend of street dance strength and artistic grace. BANDALOOP, an innovator of vertical dance performing on buildings and cliffs since 1991, celebrates the human spirit through dance that uses climbing technology, with awe-inspiring aerial feats gracing over 300 locations globally. BANDALOOP Studios encompasses 8,000 square feet of dance floors and full-rigged vertical dance space, offering workshops and building partnerships with cultural institutions. ## What Comes Next "We like to say that we love our fear, because our fear keeps us alive," explains the current vertical dance philosophy. With Miami set to host global sporting moments in 2026, including FIFA World Cup matches, immersive experiences explore how physics, biology, and psychology shape the world's most daring sports. The bathroom hanging from the cliff walls of Verdon Gorge was more than performance art. It was proof of concept. Today's vertical dance industry, from BANDALOOP's 8-week performance training series scheduled for March through April 2026 to Pink's stadium spectaculars, owes its existence to two French dancers who decided gravity was just another partner to work with.