They presented stage magic, exploiting the potential of the stage for hidden mechanisms and assistants, and the control it offers over the audience's point of view. The British performer J N Maskelyne and his partner Cooke established their own theatre, the Egyptian Hall in London's Piccadilly, in 1873. His speciality was the construction of mechanical automata which appeared to move and act as if they were alive. Modern entertainment magic owes much of its origins to Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin (1805-1871), originally a clockmaker, who opened a magic theater in Paris in the 1840s. Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, the first modern magician.įrom 1756 to 1781, Jacob Philadelphia performed feats of magic, sometimes under the guise of scientific exhibitions, throughout Europe and in Russia. Successful magicians have become some of the most famous celebrities in popular entertainment. However, the profession of the illusionist gained strength only in eighteenth century, and has enjoyed several popular vogues. The same level of ingenuity that was used to produce famous ancient deceptions such as the Trojan Horse would also have been used for entertainment, or at least for cheating in gambling games. Other Egyptian magicians were known for their skill at slight of hand tricks involving cups and balls. As early as 2700 B.C.E., the Ancient Egyptian magician Dedi performed a trick where he decapitated two birds and an ox, then restored their heads. Performances one would now recognize as conjuring have probably been practiced throughout history. The term "Magic" is etymologically derived from the Old Persian word Magi. Sleight of hand and complicated secret mechanical apparatuses help to convince witnesses that they have just seen the magician perform the impossible. As entertainment, illusionists use psychological deceptions and manipulative methods to perform feats that are apparently in violation of natural law. The practitioners of this art of mystery may be called "magicians," "conjurers," "illusionists," or "prestidigitators." Artists in other media such as theater, cinema, dance, and the visual arts increasingly work using similar means but regard their magical "techniques" as of secondary importance to the goal of creating a complex cultural performance. Illusionary magic, including prestidigitation or sleight of hand, is the art of entertaining an audience by performing illusions that baffle and amaze. Equally, misuse of their secrets for personal gain with little entertainment value cheapens their craft. The illusionists' strict code appears justified by the fact that there exists some danger in their acts, as evidenced by many of their number suffering serious, even fatal, accidents. They have maintained great secrecy about their art, revealing their tricks only to trusted apprentices. Illusionists have been popular as entertainers throughout history. Magicians (or magi) are also referred to by names reflecting the type of magical effects they typically perform, such as prestidigitators, conjurors, illusionists, mentalists, ventriloquists, and escape artists. The terms "magic" and "magician" throughout this article will refer to entertainment magic and entertainment magicians. An artist who performs magic as illusion or entertainment is called an illusionist or a magician, just as those who perform sorcery also are called magicians. Magic alternatively refers to acts of sorcery involving attempts to control the natural world by mystical, paranormal, or supernatural means. These feats are called "magic tricks," "effects," or "illusions." Magic is a performing art that entertains an audience by creating illusions of impossible or supernatural feats, using purely natural means. Hieronymus Bosch: The Conjurer, 1475-1480
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