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by **Just Steve** » May 2nd, '10, 23:06

Definitely.

What id like to understand though is why do a lot of people dislike him?

I mean, obviously some people frown upon the fact that he does endurance stunts and such, but still, a lot of people ive come across have dissaproved of his magic and persona.

by **IAIN** » May 2nd, '10, 23:59

i think you're looking for an answer you'll never find...

why do some people like gherkins, and others don't?

why do people think clapton is better than hendrix (obviously mad, but there's plenty out there that do)...

its just down to taste, and no definable answer...

there's certain facts you can deal with - but after that - just taste and fancy...

shazam :idea:

by **rvoice100** » May 23rd, '10, 15:51

What cracks me up is people moaning about his endurance stunts, (granted, I would rather see the magic) but that doesn't mean they don't have their place. So many magicians say they are pointless but.... Hello.... we do magic! So many people think what we do is pointless but you disagree right? Magicians can be a very stubborn fraternity sometimes.

Seriously if he wasn't around then there would be so much less magic around (on tv, people talking about him, etc) and most magicians would be grizzling there isn't enough magic on tv etc. So which way would you rather have it?

I'm not a massive Blaine fan but everyone that talks to me about him (lay people) think he is amazing and spooky and mysterios, I'm pretty sure that's what he goes for so ..... Good work David.

by **kartoffelngeist** » May 26th, '10, 17:04

If anyone's interested...they're selling his Mystifier DVD (with Street Magic and Magic Man) in poundland for - surprisingly - a pound!

I'm watching it just now...it's actually a lot better than I remember it being. Quite enjoying it if I'm honest...

Never been a big fan, but I think reading his book has changed my opinion of him (as I've said before, it's in nearly every charity shop round this way...).

by **kartoffelngeist** » May 26th, '10, 18:28

There are some sections with him talking about what magic means to him and also about learning magic.

It's nice to hear him being a bit more articulate than his performing persona...

by **The_Outlaw** » Jan 6th, '11, 03:02

IAIN wrote:i like him a lot...

doesnt it go to show how you can be successful with shop-bought, freely available and found magic (eshly please note!) and still be a very, very popular and entertaining...

i ike his persona, at least he's not some cheesy old scrote in a too tight waistcoat doing the 4 aces trick...

he revitalised magic and mentalism...put it in a more modern (yet older, mystic) style...he gave a premise to how "he" performed...

there are very good reasons as to why he performs how he does, his persona i mean...

anyone who doesnt admit that we owe blaine a huge debt is fooling themselves...

the downside is, we got lumbered with the hit and run "street magic" of some kids - but without the camera-crew following them, and then they wonder why they get told to f&&& off by some people...

think about it - he takes simple, straightforward plots, and sometimes shop-bought magic, and performs it...and gets massive reactions...people "believe him"...

whats not to like?

I couldn't agree more. I really like David Blaine also.
It's because of him that I truly became interested in learning about the world of magic.
And as far as his 'professionalism' is concerned, Have you 'seen' what he had to go through both physically and mentally to prepare himself to break the world record for holding his breath underwater?
All that I can say is that I am impressed by his dedication.

by **aporia** » Jan 6th, '11, 11:56

I'd like to be a famous / notorious / regarded as him though.

by **mark lewis** » Jan 6th, '11, 13:48

I have often thought that his seeming lack of presentation is superb presentation in itself. I do believe that his performing persona is quite a deliberate one and I understand he is a very sharp and shrewd operator.

I have often wondered whether he read a certain passage in the back section of Expert Card Technique in the presentation section.

It fits him with astonishing accuracy.

by **VoodooMick** » Jan 7th, '11, 05:24

I would like to offer the point that perhaps successful popular art reflects the mood of mainstream society at the time of the popularity.
Blaine's presentation was perfect timing for a society becoming more audience/reality-tv/hip-hop/"street" orientated.

But popular culture usually, if not always, garners resentment from the orthodox establishment who will accuse the new movement of being disrespectful of the established ways.

by **VoodooMick** » Jan 7th, '11, 05:25

I would like to offer the point that perhaps successful popular art reflects the mood of mainstream society at the time of the popularity.
Blaine's presentation was perfect timing for a society becoming more audience/reality-tv/hip-hop/"street" orientated.

But popular culture usually, if not always, garners resentment from the orthodox establishment who will accuse the new movement of being disrespectful of the established ways.

by **storm01** » Jan 8th, '11, 11:09

Did he really sit in that box for that long?

by **Erwin** » Jan 8th, '11, 17:47

storm01 wrote:Did he really sit in that box for that long?

He was under close scrutiny for his entire stay in the box at the Thames by a crack team of bosom-flashing tabloid models, catcalling lads shouting "w****r" at him and pelting the box with empty bottles of alcopop, and RC helicopters bearing BigMacs. There was no room for subtrefuge.

by **Nic Castle** » Jan 8th, '11, 18:09

I think that most of magicians who have a negative view of him because they are jealous. Many have been practicing and performing for years and a relative beginner did something they had not thought of doing or just afraid of doing. Taking a camera and magic to the people (Streets) took some bottle by the tv company and Blaine. The result is a lot more interest in magic than there would have been and with the reaction I have seen recently the interest is growing.

by **The_Outlaw** » Jan 9th, '11, 07:27

storm01 wrote:Did he really sit in that box for that long?

Yes he did, no food, only water to drink.
He lost over 54 lbs.

by **Alec Burns** » Jan 9th, '11, 10:28

I guess a really important point to argue is this.... Is he contributing to our art in a positive or negative way? Some have said that he is a bit sloppy in areas but do the lay know the difference? Most of them look like they are having a great time!

The camera tricks have been mentioned and let's be honest, if he didn't perform BIG illusions, he would just be another of the thousands of unmarketed magicians doing his thing. Maybe we need to mystify our audience by down right cheating sometimes! Look at stooges. What a cheat. When you have your stooge remove the object from under the hank, it fires up the audiences imagination and leaves them wondering. More importantly, it leaves them ENTERTAINED.

Anything that achieves this should be construed as a good performance. I'm 50/50 about the guy. Is he good for magic? Yes.

Alec

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