Number
85 - 9th February 2002
David
Blaine appears in South Park next Saturday ("The Super Best Friends"
South Park show number 68, series 5, 16th February) on Sky One. Kenny, Cartman
and Kyle join David Blaine's magic workshop which is really just a front
for his cult group (the Blaine-tologists)... Only Stan is wise to what's
happening and seeks the help of Jesus... Meanwhile Cartman and Kyle go
recruiting more members, and Jesus attempts to match Blaine's magic. The
Blaine-tologists travel to Washington DC where they plan to commit mass
suicide to get the government to give their organization tax-exempt status
(clever)... Blaine brings the Lincoln Memorial statue to life, and, well,
you'll just have to watch it to find out what happens next... TV Magic
9.2.02
Dominic Wood
presents a new version of the classic Disembodied Princess illusion (specially
designed by Paul Kieve) on Wednesday, February 13th, at 7.45am on BBC2's
The Animal Magic Show.
9.2.02
Con Art, an
exhibition exploring art's roots in conjuring, artifice and deception
opens at the Site Gallery, Sheffield, on Saturday February 16th. Examining one of the basic principles
found in magic, the exhibition high-lights the fact that both art and
magic require a willing viewer to participate in both illusion and
deception.
This idea of viewer/audience complicity underlines the approaches taken by
the contemporary artists in the exhibition, leading to "double readings"
and "false appearances" that establish a game very close to magic, sleight
of hand or transformation. Photography, film and video (which comprises
most of the work in the exhibition) have a long standing reputation for
being able to distort reality. Amidst mysterious levitations,
smoke-and-mirror vanishings, and close-up chicanery emerges the notion of
art as a kind of perceptual sleight of hand which sets in motion a willful
play of confidences between viewer and spectacle.
Con Art brings together rare video works by artists including
Louise Bourgeois, Arturo Brachetti , Allen Ruppersberg and Jeff Sheridan
as well as newly commissioned and existing works. The exhibition will be
accompanied by a 72 page catalogue with texts by Vanni Bossi, Edwin A
Dawes, Andrew Hubbard, Olu Oguibe, Raffaele De Ritis, Jeff Sheridan and
Helen Varola. The curator who initiated the idea is Helen Varola, based in
New York. Catalogue to be available via Cornerhouse publications at
www.cornerhouse.org/publications
Site Gallery, 1 Brown Street, Sheffield S1 2BS. "ConArt" 16th February -
6th April 2002, opening times: Tuesday - Friday 11.00am - 6.00pm, Saturday
11am - 5.30pm. Telephone: 0114 281 2077
info@sitegallery.org
www.sitegallery.org
There are two additional events: Talks & Tricks Conference on
Thursday 21st March, chaired by artist Susan Hiller, with contributors:
Jonathan Allen, Paul Kieve, Marisa Carnesky, Edwin A. Dawes, Dr Mervyn
Heard, Fay Presto. Extending the debate around magic and art's shared
imaginations and strategies, this one day event will explore ideas of
illusion and deception, and examine the notion that art can be interpreted
as a hi-brow confidence trick, in which a willing audience is deceived by
artists who confer value onto hollow objects. There will also be an
evening of magic hosted by live art group Forced Entertainment on
Saturday 6th April.
9.2.02
Big Breakfast
presenter Mike McClean is off to the States soon to record his very
own "Squeaky Street Magic." Originally from Manchester, Mike has quickly
established himself as one of the country's top television presenters.
During the last few months he has been presenting the outside broadcasts
on The Big Breakfast and due to the increase in audience figures is
now presenting the main show from "the house" with co-presenter Amanda
Byron on Fridays. Mike started out by performing magic and can also be
seen at this year's Blackpool Magic Convention.
9.2.02
Ever fancied a trip
to Las Vegas? Mandy Davis reports on the magic she saw during her
recent visit in her article Las
Vegas Vibes (Photo: Top funny man Mac King.)
9.2.02
Stage for Age
(the celebrity committee of Help the Aged) are hosting a Night of Magic on
Thursday 14th February at The Magic Circle, London. It's a chance to
mingle with celebrities including Liz Smith, Claire Rayner, Carmen
Silvera, Diana Moran and Brian Murphy and to witness close-up magic and
stage magic performed by members of The Magic Circle. The evening will
include a trip around the Museum to see magic exhibits ranging from items that
once belonged to Houdini through to Tommy Cooper. Carmen Silvera, Chairman
of Stage for Age and John Wade (photo), Member of The Inner Magic Circle,
will host the evening. Tickets are £65 per person which includes all of
the above plus a wine reception and a fork buffet. A raffle will be drawn
at the end of the night. The evening starts at 6.30pm and concludes at
10pm. Visit the website for a booking form:
Help the Aged
9.2.02
Scotts of Stow
have wooden-framed green baize card tables in stock (order number: W15053)
featuring flush folding legs and measuring 30" x 30" x 26" high. At £73.85
including delivery. Telephone: 0870 600 4444.
9.2.02
Some
International News: The countdown to the 2002 South African Magic
Championships has officially begun. Hosted by the College of Magic, the
event will be housed at the GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World from
March 21st to 24th 2002. Magical
performers can enter in various categories:
manipulation, comedy, card magic or grand illusion. While the Convention
is only open to registered delegates, the rest of Cape Town will be
treated to public performances by Tommy Wonder from Holland, and the
dynamic Australian duo, Tim Ellis and Sue-Anne Webster. For more
information please visit
www.magic.org.za/2002
9.2.02
Another
piece of international news that I wanted to report this week (from
old buddy Steve Marshall in Japan) was the closing of the Tokyo
Wizardz magic dinner theatre on January 14th. A real shame as it was a
great venue with excellent stage facilities and starred a number of top international
silent magicians over the years.
9.2.02
There are more dates in from illusionists Safire this week - do try and
see them if they are appearing near you: What's On
• We're off to see
Monsters Inc
this weekend with our three year old daughter (can't wait!) • That's it for this week,
your magic news, reviews, articles and comments are always welcomed, see
you next week, Duncan.
9.2.02