By and large I feel like people in the Flow Arts community fit into one of two categories: those that want to pick up all the props and those that want to get really good at just a few or even one.

For the past three months we’ve explored the Flow Arts in a myriad of different ways, from its history to the culture surrounding it and the different ways people participate in it. I hope you’ve learned something in this series--it’s been a lot of fun to write and produce. There’s a lot of open and unanswered questions, but the biggest one I’m interested in is this: if we know where we’re at and where we’ve come from, where are we ultimately going?

I get asked on a not infrequent basis to create videos teaching prop spinners how to add more dance into their work. It’s really flattering, not the least of which because from where I’m sitting I’m a pretty mediocre dancer, but it’s also a really massive challenge. Learning how to dance is without a doubt the single hardest thing I’ve learned in my adult life and part of what makes it so hard is that it really can’t be taught as a step-by-step process unlike many other things I’ve learned in my life.

Last week we talked a bit about the concept of “flow” as it pertains to the Flow Arts. This week we’re going to talk about a concept that is sometimes considered to be the flip side of that coin: tech spinning. This is the place where the geeks and obsessives hang out, so if you’re into math, science, or even just deep rabbit holes, this is the place for you!

Last time we talked about spin jams and why they’re so great at nurturing community. But what if you don’t live in a place that has a regular spin jam? This week, we’ll talk about how you can host one of these wonderful events to your area.

For the past 8 years I’ve been a poi spinner and Flow Artist and the experience has absolutely changed my life. I created my YouTube channel to share my love of this art with the world and hopefully introduce new people to it. So, with your indulgence, I’m going to take the next several weeks to talk about this wonderful artform and its place in our modern world.

First, let’s start out by defining the Flow Arts:

Zan Moore is one of the most talented and prolific spinners leading into the social media era of the Flow Arts. He has been a performer, teacher, festival organizer, and driver of ideas and information. In this interview, he shares the stories of his career milestones, how his outlook has changed over the years, and why the flow arts needs dedicated hobbyists.

Update 5/30/2022: So my thinking on this has changed dramatically in the past couple years and I now realize many of the conclusions I arrived at in this article were a result of sampling bias. For my current thoughts on this issue, check out this video.