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Wesker New user 79 Posts |
I started magic learning the basics from my local magic shop. I learned how to do the sleights and I learned more traditional card tricks. It wasn't until much later in my training did I see these ellusionist things. I never saw an entire TV special of David Blaine or Criss Angel, or really any other magician now that I think about it.
I never liked stage magic, to me it was deffinately entertaining but could never really deliver the idea that actualy magic is taking place, no matter how real it looked. Why? Because it was on a stage and it could not be examined or played around with or messed with or even bothered by anyone who was REAL in the audience. "Street Magic" or "Close-up" magic always appealed to me because you could do things with a normal ungimmicked deck or a borrowed deck or a signature, right in front of someone and surrounded and it always seemed like a much stronger form of magic. But that's just me. Now on to making money and trying to "look cool". In my case this is simply not true. I don't care what people think of me and I don't try to use magic to feel cooler because I already have friends of my own that think I am cool before I even started learning magic so that puts an end to that and as for money. I worked a very high paying office job which I quit recently because I realized that money doesn't mean anything (to me at least). Why do I like to do Street Magic? Because I love entertaining people. I genuinely love to see people having a good time or enjoying themselves. I always wanted to do magic and to get the reaction of people having fun as well is a big bonus. Normally I don't "attack random strangers" as most of you would put it. I'll do a majority of tricks for friends, family and fellow magicians. However I have had strangers ask me if I could do a magic trick (Someone or somewhere during conversation it was let known that I was a magician) and I would go ahead and perform. Have I performed for strangers on the street? Yes, and I will continue to do so, however I don't see this as "attacking random strangers" as every time (Lost count but deffinately more than 40 strangers by now) I have ever asked a stranger if they wanted to see some magic I have never been turned away or had made them feel uncomfortable and on some occasions, yes they do tip me, but I do turn it down unless they won't hear of it in which case I thank them and go on my way. I don't know why there is such a hatred or stereotypical misunderstanding of the term "Street Magic", as if it even matters. |
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johnnymystic Inner circle North Adams Ma. 1576 Posts |
The whole thing with teenagers doing magic to be cool, get attention, etc. has been around for a long time, way before Blaine or Angel and most of us were like this while teens oursleves...*sigh*... why some of the older generation can't accept it in more understandable ways is beyond me, but there will always be an older generation that lacks this ability. It has been proven throughout the ages.
What is normal though is a lot of the older more mature people are "bashing" the kids instead of the fad that is being sold to them by many well reputed magic dealers. Hmmmmm....
I drink cheap tequila and vomit
<BR>I cannot eat hot wings...acid reflux <BR>I never inhale <BR>I can put a field dress on a deer |
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MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
I was so incredibly impressive as a teen magic would have detracted from the whole picture.
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johnnymystic Inner circle North Adams Ma. 1576 Posts |
Santa...you are incredibly impressive now!
;)
I drink cheap tequila and vomit
<BR>I cannot eat hot wings...acid reflux <BR>I never inhale <BR>I can put a field dress on a deer |
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ed rhodes Inner circle Rhode Island 2885 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-20 10:50, Brady wrote: Well, I certainly don't think I'm "cool" like Angel or Blaine, but I <have> done magic in the streets for total strangers. Once at the library because I had a routine that kept working in practice but fell apart the two times I tried it on an audience, so I had to assume it had to be done in <front> of someone to find out what worked. (That last time went down as a 95% as one of the two people forgot what card he'd seen! There's no way around that because it's vitally important that neither of the two show any sign that they've seen their card until the end of the trick!) The other time was in Disneyworld where I would show people stuff while waiting on lines! There was no money involved either time, it was just fun! Quote:
Regards, Thanks Siggy!
"...and if you're too afraid of goin' astray, you won't go anywhere." - Granny Weatherwax
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Brady Loyal user Los Angeles, CA 235 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-22 00:23, mandrake01 wrote: Once again, you seem to think that street magic has something to do with doing magic on a street, it does not. It's about the grunge clothes, the tats, the messed up hair and lastly, being able to do at least a few tricks. Take a look at dealers who cater to "street magic." Watch the video trailers of their "street magic" effects. The image of "street magicians" are all the same. You won't find one tie and coat among them. Why, because if you wore a tie and coat, you wouldn't be a street magician! I have a annual pass to DL, I do magic in lines all the time. That alone would exclude me from being a street magician, especially since I am over 50 and wear a hawaiian shirt! The motive is also different. You and I do magic for strangers to test our material, practice effects and have a little fun. The street magicians do magic for strangers so they call themselves "street magicians." Well, that's my take. Regards, Brady |
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Wesker New user 79 Posts |
Quote:
You won't find one tie and coat among them. Why, because if you wore a tie and coat, you wouldn't be a street magician! That's right because it's perfectly natural for people to wear tie's and coats as everyday attire when they aren't going anywhere specifically or to work. |
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Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
Then call it grunge magic and be done with it.
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Jamie D. Grant V.I.P. as seen in Ripley's Believe It or Not! Twice! 2413 Posts |
I'm afraid grunge doesn't exist...
TRICK OF THE YEAR: Industrial Revelation, BOOK OF THE YEAR: The Approach, The AIP Bottle, and my new book Scenic 52, can all be found over here: SendWonder.com
Kindness takes practice. My TEDx talk |
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Wesker New user 79 Posts |
The whole grunge clothes and young kid stuff doesn't fit, it's just a bad stereotype like every magician wears a tophat.
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-04-30 14:06, jclark wrote: Well, there are automated drummers. Sideman sets have been around a long time and almost every hip-hop recording out there uses at least one. Self working drummers exist - and most drummers, myself included, hate the blasted things. But they exist. Secondly, with respect to magic and personality, that same claim can be made for music as well. I remember many ads in the back of comic books for learning to play the piano, guitar, etc. to "become the life of the party." One famous one read: "They all laughed when I sat down to play the piano..." People who need personality transfusions have, for decades (centuries?), sought the quick way to popularity. Whether it was through music, the arts, riches or the "fad du jour," they sought it and, almost uniformly, failed. Look at the popularity of web sites like myspace.com, match.com, facebook.com and all of the social networking and dating sites out there and the proof that people seek popularity is as plain as a regular deck of Bicycles! And magicians are no different that any other segment of society in that respect. We seek instant gratification of our desires, long for popularity, respect from our peers and look for a way to make points with those we find attractive, regardless of our gender, or theirs (how's that for PC?). Some do it with self working card tricks, some do it with X-treme Card handling, some do it by typing a lot. And a few, a very few of us do it be actually having a personality, by actually performing for a living, by having married Miss Chicago and working for resorts in exotic locations, major corporations and still doing the occasional sweet-16, post prom and even a street gig, just to stay sharp. Because busking - real street magic, where one pulls a crowd and does a show, as opposed to doing ambsuh magic on unsuspecting strangers - is a time-honored tradition in many parts of the world (some cities, including my own, Chicago, actually license street performers) and a good way to pick up some good cash during an economic downturn. Or to cover the rising costs of a tank of gas... Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
Since I broke my Café silence, I figured I might as well do it in spades. When I read these threads, I see at least three issues:
1) People are concerned that a specific term of art, i.e. Street Magic, has become reapplied to a performance style which is apart from its traditional definition. 2) Street Magic, as per the new meaning, has yet to be defined in a manner which accurately and completely embodies that which it is. As to the first, as someone who values words, I tend to be in the camp of the traditionalists. Unfortunately many people do not value words, and as such, we have these continuing arguments where in a simple "No, Jamy wasn't walking about "busking" should have sufficed to quell the objections." But this occurs because "Street Magic", as typified in the modern vernacular and perhaps by that represented in SM magazine, has yet to be defined. In that regard, I tend to also side with the traditionalists. What is now called "street magic", to me, is little more than closeup or impromptu magic in an informal setting. To me, it is nothing new. Which brings us to the third issue: 3) The new concept of Street Magic is being marketed as something unique, resonant, and different. It is something that is being actively sold both in concept and in manifestation. We see it in dealer products and in the SM magazine. This, to me, is the crux of the issue. If street magic is nothing more than that which has already been done, then this notion of "Street Magic" as something hip, new, or that which is a commodity to buy is essentially a lie. Now, we can argue that we see this lie foisted on Americans constantly in the form of every advertising campaign in print and on TV. And you're right. However, I feels just as outraged when I see the same wine in the same bottles being sold with just a new label. Or worse...water that people are promising to be wine. So when we consider the issues, I think we need to break them down and consider them in smaller chunks. Then, perhaps, a meaningful discourse can occur from all sides, and perhaps we may come to feel that Street Magic is a good thing for our art, or we may realize that it is something that hinders true progress for the sake of commercialism. Brad |
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
Commercialism and art are not necessarily diametrically opposed, and it is unfortunate that, in recent times, people have become particularly focused on the idea that an artist must starve to be considered "authentic".
What poppycock, nonsense, and other words which I can't use on the Café! Artists, throughout history, have worked for patrons - a patron is someone who PAYS the artist for BEING an artist. Although many of the great artists, like Da Vinci, also made their primary incomes from being engineers, designers, and the like, they also had patrons who paid for their art. The starving artist who becomes recognized only after his or her death is a stereotype and, frankly, unnecessary in today's society. My father was a successful artist, both creatively AND as a commercial artist in the fields of cartooning and commercial photography. But he also won awards and sold pieces in the fine arts areas as well, including pieces that became crossover works - fine art pieces that were bought and then used for advertising pieces by corporations. Magic can go the same route, depending on the magician, especially as magic is a PERFORMING art and, as a performing art, magic requires an audience and, as a general rule, audiences PAY to see a show. So, getting paid to DO a show isn't "selling out" nearly as much as it might be considered in other areas of art, such as painting or sculpture, for example. With street magic, however, especially the non-traditional, non-busking, no-hat style that the ambush performers seem to favor, we are actually seeing a reverse trend - a move AWAY from the traditional "magic as a paid performing art form" and a move to magic as unpaid street-side experiences that nobody WILL pay for. This is not to say that it is not a good idea to pack a few things in your pockets for those times when someone, especially a potential paying client, says, "Show me something," but it does, or at least MAY well, damage magicians as a group and their ability to get paid work when there are more and more guys on the street who are working for nothing and who won't even pass the hat! Those guys, in my estimation, are the ones who are actually starting to damage magic. They're the ones who are actually giving away the store by devaluing magic to a worthless (from a monetary standpoint) commodity that can be found on almost any downtown district in any major metropolitan area in the world. Other people's mileage may vary, but I just lost a high-paying corporate hospitality gig to one of these guys - they picked him up after he "ambushed" some of their people outside a hotel in Chicago. They asked him how much it would cost for him to work their company picnic next month in the suburbs, and he said he'd do it for the "publicity"! He's not going to get a lot of publicity out of working for a major law firm - a TAX law firm - that represents only corporate clients. BIG corporate clients. And NONE of those clients will BE at this picnic, either. Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
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truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
Lee,
Just to clarify, I have no wrong with performers making money. As a performer, I'm all for it! The commercialism I am referring to is in the marketing of magic as a commodity to sell. It seems to me that Street Magic, as it is called today, is little more than a marketing campaign - old wine in ripped jeans bottles. I find that intellectually dishonest. But maybe, I'm the only one. |
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Alex Linian Inner circle Peru 1277 Posts |
Personally, I realized that "Street" is not a kind of magic by realizing how the kinds of magic were characterized:
-The terms "Close-up Magic" is given that name not because it IS performed at a close distance to the spectator, but because it NEEDS to be performed at that distance in order for the misdirection to work, the angles to be managed, etc., as well as for the spectator to appreciate the trick. -A more accurate term for what we know as "Stage Magic" would probably be "Distanced Magic" because, again, it refers to the fact that it NEEDS to be performed from a distance. Of course, the most common way to logically create that space between the audience and the performer, and to control it, is by performing on a stage, so the term is accurate enough. -"Table Magic" requires a table. -Etc. The types of "magic" are (or should be) labeled by its requirements for the deception, direction, etc., to work and NOT by the venue that they are performed in. The term "Street Magic" does not refer to these requirements. It refers to the venue that it IS performed in, the time it takes to perform each trick, the reactions that it gets, etc... Therefore, it is not a kind of magic. What it could be, however (and probably is), is a STYLE OF PERFORMANCE. Specifically, it is David Blaine's style of performance. So, for me, when I see an ad saying "DO STREET MAGIC!" it actually means "PERFORM TRICKS THAT DAVID BLAINE WOULD DO, THE WAY DAVID BLAINE WOULD DO THEM!" A very smart way to advertise, indeed. Does "street magic" exist? As I stated before, yes, it does: As a very marketable style of performance. Alex Linian Arguments, anyone?
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Jared Brandon Kopf, Magic Magazine PUNCTURE 2.0 - "Jaw-dropping amazing... You also get the absolute best teaching DVD I have ever seen" - Genii Magazine SLEIGHT OF HAND that looks like Magic. --- Alex Linian | Instagram |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
So "Stage Magic" is a similar thing, right, Alex? Now, I get it.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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e-man Special user HILTON HEAD,SC 880 Posts |
I think of Jeff Sheridan or Chris Capehart 30 years ago.
Now, that was street magic!
我被烹调
ERIC HELVENSTON |
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truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
Hi Alex,
I think your definition is as as good as anyone's. After all, it was Blaine that rechristened this word to its new meaning. It is unfortunate, though, that a perfectly good word has become clouded. I would have preferred "Blaine Magic" (or something actually clever) to the co-opting of an existing magical term. So, according to your definition, would you consider all of those who call themselves Street Magicians (by the new standard) or tricks advertised as "street magic" to essentially be Blaine knock-offs/wannabees/copyists? (And this isn't a leading question. I would have no problem if you said yes. If you said no, then I would be interested in how your performance style definition would need to be altered to preclude that.) Brad |
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Steven Leung Inner circle found the Magic Rainbow after 1614 Posts |
Dear all,
I am quite agreeing with Jamy Ian Swiss' article, as I am a skeptical person towards the future of magic. My standpoint is clear: I would like to say the phenomenon of Street Magic existed way back in 1997 where Blaine's TV special aired. It became hot as, in recent years, Criss Angel and Cyril share the west and east TV program time, not to mention the great YouTube distribution that lets every person on Earth with a computer can enjoy their shows. Street Magic phenomenon does harm magic tremendously, especially my journey in learning the art of magic. In a way, I quit magic and my magic shop business sometime early this year due to the fact that BTs, downloads flooded all over the world of Internet. Hard to find books, videos, and instructions can all be found in one web site ABSOLUTELY FREE. I do not want to get involved in something that I love is dying and watching it die. Kids nowadays do not even have to bother to shop at magic shop anymore. All you need to do is right click, save as, and you are done. Time in pursuit of perfect skill, sweat, presentation, showmanship...they are long gone in the new generation. They all care about what is the next effect Cyril and Angel perform can be downloaded for FREE. Like someone said earlier, some kids take business from professional ones simply say that they can do the show FREE, TOTALLY FREE. Where the value of magic towards spectators is gone completely in the past several years. This not only happens in the States or Europe, this happen in Asia as well. I even have a kid ask me every single time when he stop by the shop, "Do you perform Street Magic?" I wonder what is the definition of "Street Magic" in his mind. Maybe the scene of Cyril's TV special? How about card tricks and gimmicks performed on the street? I am speechless. Well, the phenomenon does exist, and it will not stop. I just hope that my experience in learn magic as an art will be part of the solution, not problem if I have chance in future when beginners ask my advice. Like many others said, the definition of "cool" changes to grouchy clothes, trance music, girls in empty lot. For me, well, I prefer hanging in a nice magic shop, discussing moves and theories with magicians, and having a dinner in a restaurant where magicians do "sessions" at the corner without laymen interfere. My 2 cents.
Most memorable moment - with Maestro Juan Tamariz & Consuelo Lorgia in FISM Busan 2018.
"Being fooled by a trick doesn't always mean they are having a good time" - Homer Liwag https://hhpresents.com/ https://www.glitchstudiohk.com/ |
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Brady Loyal user Los Angeles, CA 235 Posts |
Steven,
Although, I share some of your concern about the so-called "street magician," I do not share your concern about magic in general. Let me explain. A magician friend and I were at Disneyland one day, and happened along a guy fumbling with a deck of cards and an instruction sheet. We inquired if he had been to the magic store and what he had bought. He replied that it was a Svengali Deck, and he couldn't figure out how it worked. We identified ourselves as magicians and gave him a brief explanation and demonstration of how it worked. He was so pleased to have figured out how it worked. I then asked him if he and his girlfriend would like to see a card trick? They said, yes, and I pulled out my Svengali Deck and floored them with an effect. They were so impressed, and the guy asked where he could buy that trick. I told him it wasn't for sale. I was being straight with the guy. You can't buy years of experience, practice, and training. It was those things that made the effect successful, not the Svengali Deck. It is that way with any art. I am sure there are dozens of guys here who could give you similar stories. I know this is not unique to me. It is because of these people and others who take our art seriously that magic will never die. Regards, Brady |
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