When most people think of magicians, they think of grandiose spectacles on big stages with smoke machines and bright lights. However, not all magicians are in the business of creating extravagant large-scale ruses. Some of the most incredible and impressive tricks are performed up close. After all, when there are smoke machines and distractions, it's easier to think that there is deception going on. It's sometimes harder to convince yourself that it's not really magic when it's right in front of your eyes.
Street magicians are those that practice their work close-up. Traditionally, this style of magic is similar to a busker who plays music on the street and receives remuneration from passersby. A street magician performs in public spaces and gathers an audience from those passing by. They often perform card tricks, mentalism, illusions, or simple gags with a magical twist.
The art of close-up magic is one with a long history. Variations of the classic cups and balls illusion has been around as far back as two thousand years ago. The routine has countless adaptations, but most involve three cups and three small balls. The aim of the trick is to make the balls magically vanish, jump from cup to cup, or even transform into other objects. The magician often employs sleight of hand to accomplish this trick. Their hands move so quickly that it is hard to keep track of exactly what is happening. Some skilled magicians use larger objects like fruits or small animals in their acts to add to the effect.
David Blaine was one of the most pre-eminent street magicians in the world. In 1997, Blaine hosted his first television special, called "David Blaine: Street Magic". This show was unlike other performances in the past. Unlike many other illusionists, Blaine took his act to the streets and performed magic at a personal level with strangers he encountered. In doing so, he made a breakthrough in how magic was performed and shown. Suddenly, viewers all around the world found themselves amazed at the simple but mind-boggling talent of this young magician.
Another type of street magic is mentalism. This involves a mentalist entertaining their audience by showing strong mental or intuitive abilities. Mental magic does not always mean looking into a crystal ball or identifying playing cards psychically. A mentalist performs tricks that invoke a feeling that someone has just read your mind. In truth, they hone their powers of observation and pick up on subtle cues given by their audience. They use subliminal messages and the power of suggestion in their performances.
Mentalists don't usually rely on smoke, mirrors, or props. This makes it difficult for the audience to believe they're being tricked. The audience is, therefore, left awestruck and thinking, "How did they know that?"
Guerilla magic is another form of street magic. With this kind of street magic a performer only shows one or two tricks and then leaves. It is fast-paced and gives the audience a feeling of seeing something spontaneous and unplanned. David Blaine was considered a guerilla magician when he first came on the scene as was Cyril Takayama.
Takayama is an American magician who is popular around the world. One of his most famous tricks is having his head fall off his shoulders! He is so popular in Japan that he has to wear a disguise when he goes outside. His go-to disguise is dressing up as an old man when he's out and about.
With all performers there are great magicians and not-so-great ones. There are those who are the ultimate showman and perform for the love of magic or to entertain people. There are also those who use their skills for unethical reasons.
Imagine someone who has practiced their sleight of hand tricks to scam money from others. How about magicians who claim that they are psychic in order to extricate money from vulnerable persons? Magic, illusion, and mentalism can be used for good and bad. Luckily we tend to hear more about the good than the bad.