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Posted by: Michael Baker (Feb 8, 2012 12:11pm) |
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Other questions posed later in this thread, are indeed interesting. Why would someone do this, or do that? Well, by nature, the definition of magic (as presented by the likes of us) is a demonstration of something happening that is generally determined to be though of as something that can't. You cannot be a magician with displaying such mysteries. You cannot demonstrate magic, without a firm foundation in mystery. Outside this simple epicenter, and the definition begins to change.
The inherent mystery of say, watching a torn paper become whole again is complete in itself, as a mystery. To give this logic (in the true sense) would be to explain how it happens... and the ugly truth is, it doesn't. In order to preserve this as a mystery (even though we know it to be a falsehood), the truth must always be hidden, and the perceived implication must remain intact. It's really that basic.
So, a kind of false logic is usually layered on in order to lure lead the hound dogs off the path. This is the presentation. The presentation is where the level of interest, the excitement, the meaning, and the caring comes together to support the central mystery... or not.
This brings us to another of the questions, "why would anyone care?"
Why they would care is purely because the framework surrounding the mystery connects to the audience on some level that entices them to willingly commit their attention and time to absorbing this display with enjoyment... i.e., being entertained.
The degree of layering required, is often based upon the size of the venue, the target audience, and the message wishing to be proclaimed. The description in the OP of the "rock star" illusionist, started to sound ironically, quite a bit like an actual rock concert, although it seems that the illusionist actually offers more in the number of layers.
The problem probably lies in the fact that the rock concert is often more unique in it's originality, it contains elements that more people can relate to as being difficult to achieve, of course the celebrity factor, but most importantly, it strikes at a very visceral chord within the audience. The primal "mob" mentality is easily, or more often invoked. Illusionists rarely achieve this level, and I doubt even understand how to do this.
For one, the illusionist is usually in a position where he is presenting his show to a less defined audience. In order to appeal to such a crosscut of the population, the more "accepted" illusionists can best be defined as "middle of the road". This hardly walks on the cutting edge. The intensity of such a presentation must drop substantially, or look extremely out of place, and likely ridiculous. Too refined, and the negative effects can be felt from a different side of the same audience. As a result, something for everyone, but not enough of it to rock anyone's world.
But in comparison, take the same rock star musician, and put them into an "unplugged" environment. The enormity of the entire affair drops to a more contained level. The audience must as well, respond with a lesser outpouring. But this doesn't always mean that the audience is left disappointed.
The musician meets the audience on the appropriate level and the audience responds accordingly. Many magicians, whether illusionists or close-up guys, don't even know how to do this most basic of tasks.
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