I normally don't work on illusion designs this way, but for some reason I'm trying to work backwards. I like the idea of manipulating a large puzzle-box on stage, shifting and turning the pieces, and possibly moving around large sections of it, but can't think of a good effect to build this around. (I'll handle the method myself once I know the effect.)

So- any ideas for effects? (Please, Asian-style puzzle boxes, not Hellraiser-style ) The box should be big enough to fit an assistant inside. Whether it's a vanish, appearance, something involving twisting and stretching her around, or whatever- I'll leave that up to you guys.


(Man, I must be a masochist, since I'm intending on building this kind of thing myself... Don't hold back because of this, though- I've built big illusions before, and can get pretty intricate where the mechanisms are concerned.)

I do a lot of wood working, and I collect japanese puzzle boxes... I have often thought of trying to make my own, but then I think about it and shudder.

Do you have any references for building these sorts of things?

So you basically want a six foot by six foot by six foot Rubic's cube (or maybe slightly smaller). The colors on the cube show that it has been twisted out of shape. You toss out to the audience some identical hand-held Rubic's Cubes and have them verify that their small Rubic's Cubes are identically matched side for side to the giant one. You challenge them to solve their cubes as quickly as you solve yours. Your assistants hold the giant cube up so you can twist and turn it as the audience members are trying to sort out theirs. You should finish ahead of everyone else. Then you open up the center block on each of the four sides and pull out a female assistant. You lower a trapeze from the flies to remove a fifth assistant from the top of the cube. Finally you tilt back the giant cube and release the sixth assistant from the bottom.

Leapinglizards - references are a bunch of google images for the proper "flavor"; the actual shape, look, and functionality would be based on the requirements of the illusion.

jimgerrish - Interesting idea; I could probably do it with a 3'x3' cube (the limiting factor being the size of the center doors.) Two problems, though- Rubik's Cube is trademarked, and I don't have that many assistants. It is getting a few ideas floating through my brain, though.

"Seven Towns Ltd is pleased to entertain any proposals for the use of the overall image of the RUBIK'S CUBE TM, as an object, as a moving image or as a two-dimensional representation, for entertainment, promotional, publicity and advertising purposes." - http://www.rubiks.com

It might be worth getting written permission and getting invitations to perform at Rubik's Cube gatherings, contests and conventions!

Any other ideas floating out there? The mechanics needed for a hollow, yet functional, Rubik's Cube are, in theory, possible to design and build. But they make my brain hurt. I guess I could go another route for this, but it'll reduce the functionality of the prop rather severely. ("Great! You solved it! Personally, I always cheat by breaking it apart and putting it back together properly...")

Asian puzzle boxes have sliding parts, twisting parts, and sometimes movable/removable rods... hmm. Maybe something that is obviously empty during the opening process, or would crush anything contained inside? ... Sorry, rambling here

I was thinking along the lines of just a giant spinning Rubik's Cube that has color changing sides to make it SEEM as if it works along the same lines as the little hand-held cubes. In other words, it's an ILLUSION. I'd hate to be inside a functional Rubik's cube- it would be like Twister Cubed!