Overview

Performances by entertainers utilizing techniques of slight of hand and others to entertain an audience. Magic tricks can be anything from picking a card from a deck of cards or making a person seem to have disappeared.

Definition

Magic is described in Wikipedia as:

"Magic or conjuring is the art of entertaining an audience by performing illusions that baffle and amaze, often by giving the impression that something impossible has been achieved, almost as if the performer had magic or supernatural powers. Yet, this illusion of magic is created entirely by natural means. The practitioners of this mystery art are called Magicians, Conjurors or Illusionists."

History

The earliest apparent evidence of conjuring being performed dates to 2600 BC, as hieroglyphics were discovered in an ancient egyptian tomb which apparently depicted a cups and balls magic trick. Many modern day scientists dispute this however, claiming that the props could have easily been used to play some kind of game.

The 19th century saw the boom of theatrical magic performances with such names as Robert-Houdin. The most notable of magicians in the 20th century includes the famous Harry Houdini.

Recent years have seen names such as David Blaine and Criss Angel, who perform a modern style of magic commonly known as street magic.

Related Websites

• History of Magic


• Wikipedia