Impalement arts are a type of performing art in which a performer plays the role of human target for a fellow performer who demonstrates accuracy skills in disciplines such as knife throwing and archery. Impalement is actually what the performers endeavor to avoid – the thrower or marksman aims near the target rather than at them. The objective is to land the throw or shot as close as possible to the assistant's body without causing injury.
Astrid Schollenberger demonstrates the position of the target girl in the "profile" stunt.
Astrid Schollenberger in rehearsal faces the knives for real. One is captured in flight, fractions of a second before impact.
In circus and vaudeville acts, a target girl is a female assistant in "impalement" acts such as knife throwing, archery or sharpshooting. The assistant stands in front of a target board or is strapped to a moving board and the impalement artist throws knives or shoots projectiles so as to hit the board and miss the assistant. The image or character of the target girl has become an icon in fiction and visual media.
Astrid Schollenberger rehearses with top knife thrower Rev Dr David Adamovich. One knife is captured in flight, fractions of a second before impact.
