Bicycle808 wrote:I've watched the demo video of Wow and it does look very impressive. I have read some of the replies for and against Wow and based on what I've read, it seems to me that Wow is a great effect that gets incredulous responses from spectators. Who, I should add, rarely ask to examine the sleeve.
Surely, this is what matters?
The method to an effect, be it sleight-of-hand or gimmick, is of no great importance. For me, the method is simply a means to an end and it is the "end", I.e. the response of the spectator, that is important here. As is the presentation. It appears that Wow has been audience tested by a few TM members, who have all gotten superb reactions from their audiences. Using a gimmick like Wow does not make you any less of a magician just because it does the work for you. Your presentation and patter will go a long way to augmenting the affect on the spectators. Sure, give Wow to a layperson and within minutes of reading the instructions he/she can perform it. But it doesn't make them a magician, does it? I understand that some gimmicks, for whatever reason, just will not suit some magicians. This is fine and to be expected (after all, you can't please everyone all of the time). But to write off an effect just because it uses a visible gimmick and no apparent skill to perform, is a little short-sighted. Of course, sleights like the Erdnase CC achieve the same effect but gimmicks also have their place. As long as the performer does not rely solely on gimmicks, I don't see a problem.
As magicians, whether you're a hobbyist or a working professional, what we do is an art form and - sorry to quote a old cliche here - the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. I think the real world experiences of magicians who have performed Wow for real people, speak for themselves. For this reason alone, I think Wow is a worthy purchase.
Please don't put words in my mouth, and next time try and be a little more condescending.
but helll it was really ugly gimmick LOL...
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