When it comes to copyright, clowns find themselves faced with a complex dilemma: There is nothing more important to an artist than protecting his works, and there is nothing more boring and “unfunny” than a boring registration of ownership. In order not to give up the first without falling into the second, a few decades ago the group was equipped with a strange system that protected the greatest asset a person could have. clownthe design of the make-up with which she adorns her face.

Rather than resorting to patents, notary records, or public records, clowns chose to record their characters by painting them directly on eggshells with brushes and a good dose of patience.

The result is so stunning that it even has its own gallery.

weird hobby. That of Stan Bult, chemist, fan of circus clowns and, of course, one of the founders of Clowns International at the time. In his spare time, Bult devoted himself to buying paint, water, and brushes, and creating portraits of the society’s clowns, which he helped create. Nothing strange so far. What is interesting is that Bult did not project his art on canvas, paper or wooden slats. He photographed faces with bulging eyes, full lips and bulging noses in a place as striking as his models: on eggshells.

More than portraits. Over the years, the collection of clown faces grew until there were approximately 200 eggs; That’s how much Bult is estimated to have accumulated when he died in 1966. whimsical portraits with bright colours. As one contemporary publication reported, it became “an archive of faces so clowns could avoid copying each other.”

“It was a hobby, but the eggshells have become a unique record of each artist participating in the event. Each face is different, and the eggs now serve as a copyright record of an artist’s personal makeup design,” he told the newspaper. “Clown,” he explained to the newspaper. in 2013 Finance Times Matthew Faint, professional clown and egg file manager.

An epic story. The Stand’s collection was staggering, but that didn’t stop it from falling apart and half-disappearing. After his death in 1966, at least some of his picturesque oval portraits are believed to have ended up in a London restaurant. There are also those who say that they have been transferred to a private collection and that most of these delicate and handcrafted works have disappeared.

The BBC network assures that in 2017 Clowns International managed to save 40 of the 200 original tracks. Others, such as Smithsonian Magazine, claim that even fewer have been preserved: the gallery at the Clown Gallery-Museum in London will house 24 original portraits, as well as 43 replicas of broken eggs.

The tradition of painting eggs with clown faces did not go over well after Bult’s death. “It almost disappeared, but reappeared in 1979 using ceramic eggs that were much more durable,” Faint notes. Since then, and with new momentum in the late 80s, egg-shaped portraits have emerged as a way to celebrate members of Clowns International and leave an indisputable record of their characters’ unique and unrepeatable design.

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tradition of showing off. That’s what Clowns International, which was founded by Bult in 1946 and has made a name for itself for decades with its distinctive history of portraiture, does. Given the size of the collection, the organization decided to distribute it between the sites known as the Clown Church and the Somerset Museum, both located in the United Kingdom. But egg portraits are much more than an ancient tradition preserved to wow visitors. In the 21st century, the organization still keeps itself alive and offers its members the opportunity to leave that special example of their DNA, their wonderful business card.

“Membership offers the opportunity to order a set of your character’s eggs, one for the Clown International Egg Collection and one for yourself,” explains Clowns International, which insists that each piece is “a record of a character’s unique identity.” Keeping with the unwritten rule that no clown should copy the look of another.” According to the society’s website, each pair costs 60 euros plus shipping. Not bad, considering that one of these portraits can require three days of painstaking and detailed work.

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egg artists. Expert artists also followed in Bult’s footsteps. On its website, Clowns International promotes professional make-up artist and painter Julie Proctor, who often exhibits in London. Over the past few years, the creators devoted to stamping faces with wide eyes and big noses on eggs have had other names; these included Janet Webb, Kate Stone and Debbie Smith. “When a new member joins Clowns International, they send photos of their made-up face, as well as some of the fabric of their wig and costume,” Faint explains, before insisting that the job is demanding.

In 2017 the collection already exceeded 200 seashell portraits; As Smith recalls, not all the clowns who wanted their self-portraits had the billboards of comedy professionals. Clowns International opens its doors only to proven artists. Neophytes fail to pass screening.

An unwritten rule. The egg registry is a more than 70-year-old tradition and a source of pride for the group, but in reality – as legal experts Dave Fagundes and Aaron Perzanowski explain – it is a system that only applies in-house and “operates outside the courts and is not used by lawyers” is applied.

Its purpose is not to keep a makeup design or character untouchable, but to rely on the unwritten rule that clowns don’t copy each other. Both experts explain: “Although there is consensus among clowns about the importance of not copying each other, Faint does not think a formal ownership system is necessary to enforce this rule. Clowns do most of this work themselves within their communities.”

matter of prestige. “Registering your egg is one of the highlights of being a performer. Clowns cannot use the same stage name as another member, and facial makeup is personalized,” says Faint. “It was never the case that two faces were the same. If there was a strong similarity, we would help a member find a unique make-up.”

Pictures | Clowns International and Marc Lewys (Flickr)

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