Opinion: Magic Exposure Vs. Education
Tuesday July 18, 2006
I admit that I’m late on the Criss Angel/ashes controversy that arose last month. But after reviewing the Scorpion UV system, which made me recall work that I had done with the ash trick, I got to thinking again about Angel’s “lesson” and magic exposure versus education. Angel recently taught “ashes on the palm” on his well-watched television show. Was this blatant exposure of magic? Or was it education-teaching an effect to those who are interested in learning magic? A few thoughts on a touchy and volatile topic.
Comments
Hello. Interesting subject.
I had the chance to see my 12 year old nephew demonstrate the ashes-on-the-palm effect over the weekend at a family gathering. It was well done. He ruined it, though, by announcing how it was done following the demonstration.
See, he thought it was ok to tell everyone because Criss Angel told him how to do it. He then went on to perform other magic effects with the same concluding routine (the “how’s it done” part).
Mass exposure, in my opinion, is not good for the industry. It leaves the impression on too many that it’s alright to reveal our treasured secrets.
I know…Blackstone and Devant revealed secrets, too. But on this kind of scale?
Best regards,
Magic Utopia
I believe that to teach magic on tv is no different than exposing it. At the very least those wanting to learn magic should be directed to a web page where they first check a box that they understand that exposing the trick to be taught hurts all in magic. After all why woud they want to do a trick if everyone knew how it was done. People should have to put forth some effort to learn magic. Buy a book, take lesson, buy a trick, use the web etc. If they can’t do this they are unlikely to practice and thus expose the trick. Just my thoughts. Jim Wells
Educating magic necessitates knowing that the people watching want to be true students of magic who will respect the secret of the effect. It’s an error on Angel’s part to assume that all of his television audience wants or needs to know how magic works. There are many people watching who enjoy NOT knowing how magic works and relish the momentary amazement magic gives them. Why take that away? Worst yet, many people who catch the exposure may simply be channel surfers who have no interest in ever performing the explained trick but will be happy to re-expose the trick if someone else (who probably watched the same Chris Angel episode) attempts the effect in public.
If someone is truly interested in learning magic, they will jump through some sort of hoop such as visiting a library or magic shop, or joining a local magic club. If all they can do is sit and channel surf to learn magic, they probably don’t have the gumption it takes to truely be a student of magic.
It’s likely that Angel’s producers thought that people will keep tuning into the show if they think something cool will be revealed. If they really thinks he needs to do this for ratings, Angel should be responsible and teach a simple trick that is in the skill range of children such as the vanishing salt shaker, the jumping rubber band or the pencil that adheres to your hand. If the viewer is truly interested in learning magic, he will take the next step himself.
Even lay people know that the number one rule of magic is that the magician never reveals the secret. Angel’s audience will respect him more if he follows one of the first things he learned in magic. Kudos to Chris for being a great magic performer and celebrity. Let’s hope he uses better judgement when he exposes/educates in the future.
Respectfully,
Magic Rob
The concept of never revealing a trick’s modus operandi contains many levels of seriousness. The further back to its origin you look, the more crucial it becomes. The village Shamans passed down secrets to the new generation in an effort to maintain a continuity of life-style and survival to the community. Secrets of the Temple were in viable. Links to the deities were nothing with which to trifle. Great names in performance magic guarded their signature effects strenuously. Only the magician’s apprentice was trusted with the workings. Today, anyone, anywhere can gain knowledge of magic, but only through investment. This could be a monetary one, an investment of time and energy or an investment of true desire. To blatantly offer the masses substantial secrets is, in my opinion, unbridled arrogance, selfishness and a lack of respect.
To appreciate my irritation at Criss Angel is to understand my reaction to his very first episode of Mindfreak. This form of reality magic rubs me the wrong way. Not only because I am of a generation who cannot relate to the life-style of the age group he represents, but because of all the little things that seem to upset most long-time magicians. His incessant use of video editing, the multitude of stooges in Angel’s employ, the lack of sophistication in his demeanor and now this; tipping the masses to some gems, appealing to their need for instant gratification is upsetting. This is not Penn and Teller’s Cups and Balls with clear plastic cups. There is no magnificent payoff by merely revealing a trick. Penn and Teller’s appreciation for the art is evident in the way they continue to confound the viewer with superb application of the methods involved. No, what Criss Angel is doing is professional hubris and laziness.
Nick Maggio
I enjoy good magic. I do not enjoy edited magic.
As a magician in Canada where the art form is not deeply appreciated. Angel has lowered himself to the Blaine plane. People look upon him as a phony and this is transferred to legitimate magi.
Myself and many of my friends in magic do not watch the show anymore.
I wish I earned Angel’s salary but I am glad that I don’t have to ’sell-out’ other magicians.
Magico
For me this is elementary. I had been doing my version of ashes on palm for the past 5 years or so (I can’t say how many shows I’ve booked because of this effect but I know people enjoyed it)
I guess I’ll have to put this gem to sleep for a few years. Maybe someone will expose the quater through soda can trick before all the sales of the dvd.
Showing the method to an interested spectator who seems magically inclined in private is “teaching.” Showing the methos infront to several million viewers is “exposure.” Period.
I don’t feel that retaliatory exposure of the quarter in soda can trick is the way to go, since it isn’t his invention, and the inventor has it marketed legitimately. But…. certainly a parody of Angel-style, but very very obvious camera tricks as a comedy on the street might be considered. Just so everyone watching could see the editing for themselves.
How many magicians will now need to retire this great trick from their act?
My 2 cents,
MindMyst
Using the mass media to expose tricks/illusions for popular gain(like the Masked Magician)is definately wrong,sad and violates the sacred magicians code of not revealing how a trick/illusion is done. Also, it does spoil the pageantry and mystery for all who don’t want to know how we do it. People love to leave after watching a magician amazed and the belief that what they saw actually happened.
The only exception to the code is when someone is very very serious about magic and wants to learn. Then, they should pay for knowing how something is done(just like buying a magic instructional DVD or trick/illusion at a magic shop) Then after, they can trade magic or use magic forums to discuss the mechanics of a trick/illusion.
In my opinion, The Amazing Criss Angel did violate the magicians code and I hope he doesn’t violate the code again.
The Amazing Criss Angel unfortunately violated the code and I hope he doesn’t violate the code again.
I wonder if magicians were upset when I, as a kid got the ball and vase mystery in a box of Alpha bets. Did they sit around and say,”Confund it! That was a great trick to use in a show. I guess I got to learn another trick and put this baby on the shelf for a couple of years.” Let’s face it guys, a great bunch of tricks in a well worn act makes us so content that we don’t try anything new. Moments like these are oppertunities to find a new effects and new presentation of a very old ones. Criss Angel is putting the trick out there on the same scale as placing it in a box of cereal. I recall a tv series called “The wonderful World of Magic hosted by Bill Bixby” and every week thet exposed a secret to an effect. The only difference between now and then is the exposure of a tricks will happen faster due to the internet and more often. Whine if you want but that’s the way it is. How about embracing it instead?
Actually, how about not?! I certainly will not embrace exposure of magic secrets to the public at large. I will not take food off a fellow magians table, nor will I spoil a trick for the general audience. Let me guess: you aren’t a magian, are you sir?
In myexperience, most people don’t want to know how an effect is done, for an illusion revealed is an illusion ruined!
Criss Angel is doing wrong. Period! Sure, the floating styrofoam cup was fine as a give away bit, but the lipstick/ashes-on-the-palm, or the salt shaker/glass through table trick, was definitely not!! This is exposure at it’s most blatant and selfish point!
I initially liked Criss Angel but his exposure of ricks and constant use of hordes of stooges is outrageous! I wonder how often Criss waters his “plants”?
And as long as I’m on the subject, what about Angel’s mass-marketing of his self levitation? He sold the tutorial DVD on his website for a hundred bucks a pop, on a PRE ORDER ONLY basis, then months later, sends the DVDs out en masse!
This tutorial has since been uploaded all over the net, thus totally ruining the illusion for those of us who shelled out a hard earned hundred dollars to learn the “secret.”
Well, that’s not the Mindfreak’s fault, is it? He cant be blamed for that! OH YEAH?
Angel knew his secret would hit the net the instant it was released, and in that event, people would stop buying the DVD! So he took thousands and thousands of pre orders, and once he had taken as much money in as he could, then, and only THEN, were the DVDs sent out to the purchasers. Can you say scam?
Kudos to Angel for having the foresight to figure that out, and thus sucker his fellow magicians and fans with this huge, mercenary con game!
Criss Angel has damaged his own reputation by these acts of disrespect, and consequently, his 15 minutes will be up soon.
But that’s ok, because by then, he will be so rich that it won’t matter! And that is the REAL secret behind Crss Angel’s magic!!
Exposure should be measured and some effort made to get the information such as on Secrets of Magic Forum
This is good and necessary for education.