I confess, this is a bit of a rant.

I keep seeing promotional videos of magicians performing Origami without the mirror. I cannot fathom why they are doing this. To not use the mirror in the performance conveys a lack of understanding of this piece and the manner in which it most effectively deceives. The mirror is absolutely essential for the maximum impact of the illusion.

So, all mirror defectors, please return to using the mirror and give this beautiful piece the presentation it was made for and deserves.

I also have seen this a few times, and just wondered what the thinking was behind them not using it. I do not own the illusion so I do not know first hand, but have seen many of them up close. I just never quite understood the reason to go without it.

Kyle

The reasons are both practical and presentational. If you sacrifice the mirror (and I can only assume that those doing it feel that they are making an improvement of some kind), you sacrifice the layers of deception and the journey that the audience takes in their minds as they view it.

The creator of this effect (Mr. Steinmeyer) designed it as such for a reason. Removing the mirror is not an improvement, it's a lack of understanding about what's happening in the mind of the audience.

I would tend to think you are correct here in your thinking. I would be curious to see what others say about this. I would even be curious to know what those who have the illusion or have performed it feel about this. If I owned one, I absolutely would perform I with the mirror. For me is is a critical part of the illusion and the perormance of it and it makes he illusion make sense to the audience.

Kyle

The role of the mirror is to justify the position of the box on one side of the table. If there is no mirror the small box must be in the center of the table. The mirror gives some sort of visual balance/equilibrium of the whole illusion.
For the audience, it is here for them to see the rear of the box.
Nicely designed by Steinmeyer...

Best,

Soleil

I agree with you for sure. I just wonder what the thinking is for those who have not used the mirror?

Kyle

The mirror serves a far greater purpose than simply balancing the illusion visually. Practical purposes notwithstanding (as I don't wish to divulge any of the workings of the piece), the mirror leads the audience on. Yes, it's apparent purpose is to give them a 360-degree view of the illusion. However, it also serves to lead them down the psychological garden path. As the illusion progresses, the foundation under the series of guesses forming in their laypeep grey matter is systematically dismantled, and the looking glass plays a vital role in this.

Origami is a puzzle for the audience. It invites them to try and sort out how the girl could be hidden. Could she really be in the box? Perhaps, but then the swords are inserted. "Ah! Indeed, she must be hiding behind the mirror! That's why he put it there. He told me it was so that I could see the illusion fairly, but it's really to hide the girl!"
And then the apparatus is rotated, removing that one last hope. Not in a "Gotcha!" way, but in an intriguing fashion. It challenges the audience and they are up for the game. Each revelation is a wonderful surprise.

Each step builds upon the previous. It really is a near-perfect illusion.
But not if one removes the mirror from the picture.

Most of the performers that do not use the mirror are using knockoffs. I have yet to see a genuine Origami presented without the mirror, and that is because the mirror serves another purpose which is not to be openly discussed. Knockoffs often do not employ that hidden purpose, therefore, those performers probably feel that the mirror "just gets in the way".

My 2¢

Chris

I have seen performers with authorized versions performing it without the mirror.

There are a number of performers with authorized Origamis performing it without the mirror. I agree it does little to do it without the mirror.

I have seen origami performed now a few times. Perhaps I can offer a viewpoint from an audience member who doesn't know all the intricate workings of origami. I was disappointed with origami. I never understood why the mirror was used, even after the explanation was given, as it seemed like an extra un-needed step which always takes away from the magic of an illusion. I thought to myself, "The magician is rotating the illusion numerous times throughout his presentation, why does he need a mirror?" Remember, the audience isn't thinking, "He's only rotated it at the beginning and at the end" To them, rotating it once at any time throughout is good enough for them.

The other thing is that origami seemed overkill to me. By the time the box is folded into the little box the audience knows the person isn't in the box. So why put the swords through? It is overkill and proves nothing.

I'm not saying that origami is no good and that the mirror needs to be used or not used. I'm just saying that from my viewpoint as an audience member it didn't seem near as good as what we as magicians think it is. Perhaps it was the presentation, but I've watched many youtube videos and still think the same thing.

I agree with Illucifer. Many people do not know the real reason the mirror is there -- and it's too bad because they're missing the true brilliance in the design. I should also mention that I hate to see the illusion rotated 360 degrees because it exposes what the mirror so brilliantly hides. I keep mine to a 30-45 degree angle to the audience.

I once spoke to Jim Steinmeyer about this and when I told him that I've seen even well known magicians who bought an original Origami presenting the illusion not correctly he told me that he can't do anything.

Often seen mistakes are :

- Not using the mirror
- Wrong way stepping into the box
- Taking the folded box off the table

Jim is willing giving advice in the presentation and the how and whys but if the magician doesn't want to do so, it's unfortunately the magician's problem, and so a problem for the magic community.

Oliver.