Arthur Trace has taken magical plots in a new direction, expressing his artistic style through original and creative presentations dealing with art, philosophy, and the altering of the laws of nature. His abstract painting act offers a truly magical experience where inanimate objects, through Trace’s amazing manipulation skills, come alive.
He's performed his award-winning stage act at the 2004 World Magic Seminar and the 2004 Society of American Magicians National Convention. Currently he performs his unique style of magic for cruise ships, night clubs, restaurants, corporate events and theatrical productions. His one man show, “Parallel Realities” is scheduled to debut in Chicago in late 2006.
Wayne Kawamoto: What inspired you to create your amazing abstract painting act?
Arthur Trace: I used to paint and draw as a child... so, naturally I have always held a special place in my heart for art. Also, manipulation was one of the first forms of magic that I fell in love with. Therefore, as a magician I have always wanted to combine my interests in art with my love of magic. Thus, the abstract painting act was created.
I have always seen manipulation to be a form of abstract sleight of hand. Many manipulators portray themselves in one of two ways: 1) the magician who has a skill and shows that skill off in such a way to impress and entertain the audience, and 2) the magician who manipulates things with a greater meaning. I opted for the second route. I wanted to create a piece of art by interacting with this abstract painting. The colored balls and cards have more meaning because they are a part of something [art].
WK: Please describe the creative process and some of the challenges of building the abstract painting act.
AT: My main goal in life is to create. When I create, I am alive. There's nothing that feels the same as sitting at my local coffee shop and daydreaming about new ideas. Sometimes one of those ideas will strike me as being particularly good and this usually makes me a happy person. The creative process is different for everyone. For me, I try to write in my creativity book every week (at least three times). Sometimes ideas just come to me. Other times it takes years for an idea to develop. That's how the abstract paint act came to be.
Once I have the idea then it's a matter of making it a reality. The painting that I'm now using in my act is the second one. Although, I went through at least thirteen prototypes. One of the most difficult things about creating my paint act was the building of the painting. This was mainly due to all the different variables. Not only were there technical aspects, but I wanted the painting to look like something that one would find in the contemporary art section of your local museum.
WK: What do you do to refresh your mind so you may continue to create new magic?
AT: I have fun, listen to music, watch movies, go to a museum, go to my local coffee shop and daydream, and just listen and take a good look around me. Inspiration comes from many different sources. I try to keep my mind open to any inspiration by being aware of what's around me. Also, I try to seek it out by studying various artists outside of magic.
The best way I have found to refresh my mind is to daydream. Not only is it fun, but I find myself writing down many different ideas even if they don't make any sense. Also, I think there comes a time when the mind needs some rest. When this happens, I give my mind a rest by going out with some friends and taking my mind off of my magic.
WK: Who are your biggest magic influences and why?
AT: Wow! There are so many. Here's some: Robert Houdin, Germain, Teller, Tommy Wonder, Gaeton Bloom, Max Maven.... However my greatest influences are the people I have been able to bounce my ideas off of such as Eugene Burger, Francis Menotti, and my mom and dad.
Eugene Burger showed me that there is more to magic than just tricks. Francis Menotti was the first magician who showed me magic can be a performance art. And, my mom and dad have always told me what they thought about any piece of magic that I ever performed (good or bad). Also, I have been influenced by thinkers outside of magic such as Jackson Pollock, Basquiat (artist), Rembrandt, David Gray (musician), Fleetwood Mac (Band), Paul Davies (physicist), and many others.
WK: What are your biggest projects these days?
AT: My biggest projects are my original shows. Currently, I'm working on my one man show called, "Parallel Realities" which is scheduled to debut in Chicago at the end of 2006. Also, I'm working on other magic shows with magician friends of mine. One of these shows is titled, "Three Of A Kind: a magic show" which is scheduled for June 24, 2005 at the Woodstock Opera House (Woodstock, Illinois). Tickets may be purchased through the box office at 815-338-5300.
WK: Anything else you would like to mention?
AT: Yes, magic can be an art... as long as you think about it. Think about it...
