STREET MAGIC (I)

After writing the article in the newsletter, I realize that it might not be enough and further explanation might be needed. So here goes…

There is a big difference between performing STREET MAGIC and a STREET MAGICIAN. All magicians can perform street magic. But that DOES NOT mean that all magicians can be street magicians.

Sounds chiem doesn’t it? ;)

Let's deal with one thing at a time. Nowadays, the first thought that comes to mind when you mention Street Magic is… Self Levitation. Well at least I did! When I first learnt magic, I thought street magic the ‘cool’ version of tricks. Style of performing: fast & furious.

Hence the first few tricks that I learnt involved using ravens and loops. First card magic I first learnt was the Ambitious Card Routine (which by the way… is now known as ACR). Other than that, I only bothered learning all sorts ‘tricks with cards’ like card cuts and flourishes. I thought that the magic had to be visual and instant, be it cards, coins or anything else.

I still remember the first time I did a ‘Street Magic’ shoot. It was in 2002, where my friend Ferris and I did a street magic shoot for HTV. We shot around the Esplanade and along Orchard Road. By then, I learnt that eveb quick flashy effects needed some sort of build up in order to create a visual miracle for your spectators. However, the choice of magic performed was really based on what we thought was ‘cool’. I remember working coin tricks, card tricks, mental magic and even tried David Blaine’s self levitation.

This is how I stereotyped street magic. Nothing wrong with that! Many still perceive street magic as such, especially with so many local magicians now on TV.

Check out this clip. The magician not only performs good visual card effects, but teaches them as well.


Magic Exposed