Close up Magic, what is close up magic?
What is close-up magic? What is a close-up magician?
Close-up magic is the intimate art of producing astounding illusions by sleight of hand performed within close proximity to the audience.
The magical objects or props need to fit in the close-up magician’s hands. The traditional props are playing cards, coins, cups & balls, and even dice. However, anything that fits into the magician’s hands is fair game for his miracles: a cell phone, a pen, paper napkins, a saltshaker, a coffee cup, or a dollar bill.
Unlike the stage performer, the close-up artist brings his magic right into the audience space. There’s no stage or curtains, no boxes or mirrors, simply an object in the magician’s hands held inches away from the spectator’s eyes. The magic often happens right in the spectator’s hand!
Under these strict, close-up, and challenging conditions, deception seems utterly impossible. Yet, miraculously, the totally impossible still occurs! Close-up magic is by far the most demanding form of the magical arts, and when done perfectly, it is the most astounding!
Close-up magic is best performed for an audience of 30 or fewer and can be performed sitting at a table or standing. With the arrival of LSV (large-screen video) technology, larger groups can be accommodated.
Another form of close-up magic is strolling magic. This style has become popular for social and cocktail hours, where guests stand and mingle in small groups. The close-up magician moves around the room entertaining these smaller groups of guests. Street magic is also a form of close-up magic.
https://www.stevenpaulcarlson.com
Photo & art credits:
Photo art manipulation by Steven Paul Carlson, portrait photo by Nick Olson
Coin Magic: The Coin Magician’s Dream
The Coin Magician’s Dream, photo art by Steven Carlson
In the art of close-up-magic, coin magic easily finds its place toward the top of the most challenging skills.
Coins, along with playing cards, are the primary objects in the close-up magician’s repertoire.
Historically coins predate playing cards by a good three to four thousand years.
Coins were first introduced as a method of payment around the 6th or 5th century BC and have been in the magician’s bag of tricks ever since.
In the magician’s hands, coins appear, vanish, and multiply. They magically move from place to place or from hand to hand, visibly and invisibly. Coins change from silver to copper and even grow in size. The possibilities of magic with coins are limitless.
Coin magic relies on the artist’s intricate dexterity. Dexterous skills acquired through years of practice, training, and performance.
A master sleight-of-hand artist’s technique is never seen. To the audience, it is invisible. These graceful methodologies lie gently hidden beneath the surface of natural movements and gestures. Only then does the coin magic appear effortless and impossible.
My name is Steven Paul Carlson. I have been practicing magic since I was 6 years old, and I have been performing it professionally for over 55 years.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy the magical ride.
Oh, and please, fasten your seat belts. 😉
https://www.stevenpaulcarlson.com
Photo & art credits:
Coin and photo art by Steven Paul Carlson, portrait photo by Nick Olson
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