Street magic
Categories: Magic stubs | Magic (illusion) | Illusions
Street magic is a term used to describe a style of demonstrating magic illusions where the magician performs in a public space for an unsuspecting audience (such as on a sidewalk) rather than on a stage or within the context of traditional magic performances. The desired effect of street magic is to give the audience a feeling that what they are seeing is impromptu, unrehearsed, and experimental. However, many street magic effects are usually based on much older parlor magic and mentalism principles and techniques. Anthropologists can chronicle street magicians from approximately 3,000 years ago - and there are records of such performers across the continents, notably Asia/South Asia and the Middle East.
Modern history in the West
The term "street magic" was highlighted in magician David Blaine's 1997 ABC television special David Blaine: Street Magic. New York based artist and magician Jeff Sheridan is, however, credited and revered as the father of modern Western street magic, authoring the 1977 book, Street Magic. He was the performer who inspired and taught the young Blaine after he saw Sheridan perform in Central Park and many years later was approached by Blaine to work with him although he declined. Internationally active conceptual artist and magician aladin has a history of working with street gangs through his magic since the early 1990s.
Street magic most often consists of close-up magic, mentalism, sleight of hand, and card magic in the West.