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Slimfrinky Regular user Nicholson, MS 153 Posts |
Hi there. I was kicking around an idea today (thats what I seem to be doing a lot lately) and thought of an interesting idea.
I'm one of those people who are lucky enough to be able to solve the Rubik's Cube. I've always felt that a mentalist should seem to have some superhuman powers aside from mindreading. For instance using vedic math I solve math equations in my head. I 'memorise' a deck of shuffled playing cards, and then divide them into reds and blacks, after which I have them reshuffled, and then the spectator does the same stunt after I have our minds "link". You get the deal. Well solving the cube by itself isn't that interesting. Takes me about two to three minutes to do, and while most people havn't seen one get solved, after they see it they are normally just like 'oh... How nifty.' Mind you, solving the cube isn't part of my show, it's just one of the many mental feats that I can do aside from mentalism. However, I was thinking about combining the concept of memory and solving the cube. Basicly the routine would look like this: (warning, the following is the effect, not the method. Slimfrinky is not this good, he only fakes it) Have some audience members mix up a cube all they want. Toss it around, have some fun with it. Then have them get it back to me, and then I look at each face and memorise the colors on the faces, and tell them that I'm going to attempt to solve the cube without the use of sight, relying only on my memory of the faces, and keeping track of where the peices are as I make the moves in my head. I study each side of the cube for about 15 seconds, using my 'serious face'. I am then blindfolded. I then take the cube, and using my incredable mind, I am able to do just what I promised, solving the cube without sight, relying only on my memory. The method should be obvious to anyone who does blindfold work of any type, but my question is, how does the routine sound? First off, does it sound like it could be entertaining? I can see some possibilities for 'magician in trouble' scenarios, maybe a countdown timer that I have to beat, tell some jokes as I do it, that sort of thing. Second, does it sound like this is something that could be plausable in the minds of the spectators? I will add that I would do at least one memory stunt before this effect just to 'prove' that my memory is good, and maybe even a magic square too, since the rubik's cube inherently involves mathamatics. I think that as long as I did a memory stunt first, and then a quick entertaining math demo, it would lead nicely into the Rubik's cube stunt. Thoughts and ideas? Maybe any additions? Or is the idea just no good?
The eye of Katrina went right over my house. I now have a distinct distrust of nature.
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Stephen Long Inner circle 1481 Posts |
Also being able to "do the cube", this thought occurred to me too. I think that if it takes you two or three minutes to solve, then solving it in isolation wouldn't really hold well on stage. Having said that, I think it would work very nicely as part of a larger blindfold routine - i.e. you're revealing other things whilst solving the cube. The routine could climax in the cube being completely solved.
Hello.
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nimrod Special user 881 Posts |
Haim Goldenberg has the best Blindfolded Rubik's Cube I've seen. So simple and yet so powerfull. It is in his lecture's notes.
Nimrod , Israel |
rgranville Elite user Boston area 463 Posts |
Set a kitchen timer to go off after 2 minutes (or better yet, 3 minutes to really hammer home the point). Start the timer and put it aside so you're not watching it. And then just stand there, waiting for the timer to go off. Don't do anything else. Just stand there.
2 minutes of down time would be death to a routine. People know there are those who can solve the cube. People know there are those with incredible memories. Solving the cube blindfolded is not beyond the pale. Watching someone solve the cube blindfolded (and doing nothing else) - that's NOT entertainment. You have to come up with something else that will keep the audience engaged for the 2 to 3 minutes that it takes you to solve the cube. That is, you have to do something else, and solve the cube in the background. It has to be something you can do without hands (you're manipulating the cube, remember?), something you can do while at least partially distracted (you're using at least part of your brain to recognize and react to patterns), and something that fills the entire 2 to 3 minutes. When that something concludes and the applause dies down, you then reveal that you have also successfully solved the cube. That could work very well. :banana: |
Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
Just a thought but you could just practice more with the cube...
Getting to 45-second times in under a month from not having cubed at all is totally doable in my opinion...(I did it and so have others) I agree still 45 seconds can still be a long time, but if you can get a huge clock that is counting down the 45 seconds either analog or digital, if you really want to I think this could play. |
tincture Special user 587 Posts |
I have done this same thing as well. I've combined it with a night tour while doing a blind folded rubix cube. I've also simply done the blindfolded cube alone. This is entertaining, and does impress people. The trick is making it entertaining while one is doing it. Personally, I explain exactly how I'm solving the cube while I'm doing it mentally. People find this incredibly interesting. Give it a try, worst that can happen is it doesn’t go over well. If it doesn't work for you - so what? Stop doing it. If it does, however....
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Scott Xavier Inner circle 3672 Posts |
Patrik Kuffs has the best rubiks cube imnho. Contact PK for more.
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procyonrising Special user New York 698 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-05-01 05:02, Slimfrinky wrote: I do it... but everything is grouped together as one routine. It's a killer opener. |
kuffs Special user 791 Posts |
Hi,
I have developed couple of different presetation for the Rubik over the years... The last one in my " mini stunts repertoire" (the one I guest Scott was thinking) is a broken Glass walking combine with the Rubik's solving! I walk on glass while doing the puzzle! I even ad one time a memorizing deck while I call the alphabet backword But most of the time My presentation is around saving the reputation of men... People think a guy can't do 2 things at once... I will prouve wrong by doing a glass walking, while doing the Rubik cube...Finaly prouving a men can do 2 thing's at once ;-) I am in process of trying to make a world record (in apparence) about this last combined stunts Just to say a small note about doinh it blindfolded... You must be careful to be very credible with this kind of presentation... Check the web and found some real cubist performing (I call this performing) the cube really blindfold ;-) You will have a super idea of whats is possible and what is not! Humbly... Kuffs |
mota Inner circle 1658 Posts |
Kuffs is right. If you go to some of the cube discussion groups you will find that solving a cube blindfold is actually "standard" among those who are advanced at the cube. Just google "solving rubik's cube blindfolded" and look at all the hits.
If you are looking for a magical presentation try dig up the late Doug Henning's cube trick. Basically you show the cube mixed on all sides, throw it in the air and catch it and it comes down solved. Very visual and strong...easy to do. You might have to dig at magic dealers, this was a long time ago. Still, Henning used it on a national TV special and it was quite popular for a bit, so you might find it. Good luck. |
cfrye Special user Portland, Oregon, USA 940 Posts |
The Doug Henning effect is called "The Enchanted Cube", by Craig Nichols. Daryl bought the rights to it and manufactured it for a while. I checked Daryl's site and didn't find any pre-made cubes, but the effect is included in his New Millennium World Tour Lecture Notes.
http://www.foolerdoolers.com/store/produ......d=400101 Curt |
Patrick Redford Inner circle Michigan 1751 Posts |
Daryl sold the rights to another individual that I'm not at liberty to disclose.
Needless to say, the effect is now a collectors item. They are quite a bit of fun to play with, however. As for a blindfold cube. I perform a blindfolded rubix cube and find that an audience finds it very interesting and entertaining. The trick is to make it about more than simply "hey look at me I'm special" -Patrick Redford |
cfrye Special user Portland, Oregon, USA 940 Posts |
Thanks for the update, Patrick.
Curt |
Slimfrinky Regular user Nicholson, MS 153 Posts |
I agree with rgranville. I know that just watching someone doing the cube on it's own is boring. My plan was to explain as I do it how the memory works, along with a few jokes and what not.
I also agree with Kuffs that I would have to make this as believable as possible. Perhaps it would work better as a fundraiser at a charity? I've been known to do the occasional publicity stunt for charity. In fact, next week I'll be doing the 'Knights Tour' for the local chess club while looking away from the board. I find that things like these normally work well in charity situations, with having people pledge to donate 'x' amount of money if I'm able to complete the stunt. I'm not sure if it's something that I would want to work into my regular show though. I might try it once and see how it goes over. But I think it would be good for raising some charity money. I live in the Katrina zone, so I've been trying to help out through entertainment... *laughs*
The eye of Katrina went right over my house. I now have a distinct distrust of nature.
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RC4MAG Special user 563 Posts |
On his L&L dvd volume one, Garrett Thomas does a nice presentation using The Enchanted cube.
I originally bought mine from Michael Weber in the early 80's. He stated back then that it was not his original idea, but I don't recall whose it was. Probably was Craig Nichols as Curt Frye said. Thank you Curt. |
liljay510 Regular user Dallas, TX 101 Posts |
Anyone have the pdf for the rubik's cube trick from mind stunts...i cant seem to pull it up...please pm me
No matter How much you know you can never stop learning.
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