“Totem” has arrived in Vancouver, held under the blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau at Concord Pacific Place until July 6, 2014.

Somewhere between science and legend, “Totem” explores the ties that bind humankind to other species.

Gael Ouisse and Olli Torkkel, part of the rings trio, review video during rehearsal.

Gael Ouisse and Olli Torkkel rehearse to Bollywood-inspired music, competing against each other on the rings.

Set designer Carl Fillion gave the stage curves and non-linear forms to reflect a natural environment.

An island evoking the shape of a giant turtle, which represents the origins of life on earth, serves both as a decorative set and acrobatic equipment.

Artists, rehearsing here out of costume, launch themselves into the air from a power track and leap from one bar to the next, criss-crossing in mid-air with inches to spare.