Street Magic

Street magic consists in performing magic tricks to people met while walking in the street.

This form of magic gained popularity in the 90s surely thanks to the rise of the Internet since the videos were watched online.

I can’t write about street magic without mentioning one of its iconic performer David Blaine. His videos went viral many years ago and I used to watch them hundreds of times.

I find street magic especially interesting in many points.

First, I like how the performance looks unprepared: the magician often has only a deck of cards, few coins, no costume and ready to perform at any time.

Second, the reactions. They look so authentic. In the street, people are more relaxed and not ready to see magic thus their reactions can be more spontaneous.

Third is about sociality. Look at how David Blaine performed in front of such diverse people: teenagers, kids, old people,… From all background: firemen, sport people, families,… And all origins: White, Black, Asians,… This makes the performance even more realistic.

Below is my own version of street magic. I recorded this video when doing a trip in Australia few years ago.

I’d like to share few stories about this video:

• The trick done at 00:45 was the effect I wanted to do the most. It’s inspired by Yigal Mesika, go watch his crazy videos!

• I find the reactions at 01:22 so cool. Look at the group of people upstairs. They were in perfect symbiosis!

• From 01:51 I recorded everything with my GoPro fixed on my cap. The idea was to include the video watcher as much as possible.

• 01:12 this was pretty late time and I suspect the girls to be back from a party where there was not only water… It strenghtened the impact of my trick!