I mentioned in an earlier story that the relevance of magic in the minds of the general public is probably more important than the exposure of magic on television and the internet. And a recent story claims that magic is undergoing a "renaissance" that's being led by David Blaine and Darren Brown. I sincerely wish that the writer were correct, but his view of the magic world is decidedly different from that of my own.
To start, the story describes the previous state of magic as "Paul Daniels figures - irritating pranksters who make balloon dogs and think that pulling gaudy flowers from a sleeve is the height of sophistication." I, on the other hand, respect Paul Daniels. To dismiss and describe Daniels in this manner is to be ignorant of his contributions to the art of magic.
David Blaine
The writer supports his "renaissance" premise by describing Blaine's many physical stunts: frozen in ice, standing on a pole and more. However, I think that Blaine's biggest impact was over a decade ago when his brand of recorded street magic was fresh and the general public was talking about his effects and stunts.
I felt that his most recent "Dive of Death" special, where he hung upside down for some 60 hours, was lackluster at best. I think that currently, Blaine is struggling to create anywhere near the buzz that he had a decade ago.
Darren Brown
When I published my list of the "Top Ten Magicians of Our Time," many of you wrote me and said that Derren Brown was missing on my list. Undoubtedly, it's a US versus UK issue as I'm based in the United States. But after looking at clips on the web, I'm convinced that Brown is creating an awareness that is unmatched by any of his contemporaries.
Is there truly a "magic renaissance" going on as the writer proposes? Indeed, Darren Brown is carrying a torch, David Blaine still has the influence to sell a television special and the guys in Las Vegas are still entertaining the masses. But I'm not detecting such a resurgence these days. The best that US television has served up recently is the mediocre "Masters of Illusion" series.
Finally, the writer talks of David Copperfield making buildings disappear. To my knowledge, unless you count the Statue of Liberty as a building, I don't recall Copperfield ever doing so. If anyone out there knows of such an effect performed by Copperfield, I would like to hear about it.
More Reading:
The Top Ten Magicians of Our Time
Las Vegas Magic
David Blaine Profile
Comments
I recall David Copperfield being locked up and handcuffed in a safe and had to escape before the building blew up. I suppose that this COULD be vanishing a building, although hard to make it reappear. lol
Mmm, fire. Good idea….
Well, I think the thing about the original article, which was more a feature on Derren Brown than Blaine, was the authors view of magic. Fortunately, people are able to choose the magic that suits them. I think Derren Brown, and on another level David Blaine, appeal to the fanbase they would consider their audience for very different reasons. I think both a quite apt performers (thankfully) and do the service of magic and mentalism quite well.
While being a magician one would have to consider our perspective v. the perspective of spectators and lay people, and honestly, respect the perspective. If the writer sees Paul Daniels as prankster, then, that’s how she sees him, and….she’s not wrong! How would she be aware of his contributions to magic? She wouldn’t. I’d honestly like to see what a top ten list of magicians the average person (non-magician) would come up with, and honestly, I’d be impressed if they came up with more than 5, which makes our job as performers…that much more important.
Why David Blaine is even considered a Magician in the first place is beyond me!
Most of his “Performances” are nothing more then “Stunts.”
Many of them seem to dilute the Professional that the late Harry Houdini was, with added Safety Features, as to imply that was how Houdini accomplished his Effects.
His whole “Performance” persona is rather dull and boring, with a nothing more then watch me fool these people, kind of approach.
Some of these people are from civilizations where the only “Magic” they have ever seen is from someone who is thought to be cursed, and then he even goes as far as to chase them down claiming “it’s only a Trick!”
I am sorry, but if there was a “Magic Idiot Award” David Blaine would be the one it would go to!
I agree. I do not see drastic changes taking place in magic. There are a lot of great entertainers doing their best to create more interest in magic but I would hardly call it a renaissance.
As far as David Blaine is concerned he is attempting to emulate Houdini. Houdini worked on an enclosed in ice stunt but abandoned it due to the lack of technology in keeping the ice frozen. Houdini presented water stunts, held his breath for more than three minutes in a water filled milk can. Houdini also experimented with being buried alive.
There is no magic in any of the above at the same time the public was attracted in droves.
If David Blaine does a stunt that attracts more people to magic than I am all for what he does.
Well, name a ’stunt’ that draws more people to ‘magic’? No stunt will ever do that. I’m always amused at people that dislike David Blaine, not that I’m a huge fan, but, I think he does okay by magic. Honestly, anyone who can draw attention to magic as an artform should be applauded.