Bizarre magic - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Bizarre Magic, or Bizarre Magick, is a branch of stage magic, or conjuring, like stage illusions

Stage illusions

Stage illusions are large-scale magic tricks. As the name implies, stage illusions are distinct from all other types of magic in that they are performed a considerable distance away from the audience, usually on a stage, in order to maintain the illusion....

, sleight of hand

Sleight of hand

Sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation or legerdemain, is the set of techniques used by a magician to manipulate objects such as cards and coins secretly....

, or children's magic

Children's magic

Children's magic is a specialized aspect of parlor magic and is meant to entertain children. It is typically performed at birthday parties, churches, preschools, elementary schools, Sunday Schools or libraries. It is often the only type of magic most Westerners experience other than that seen on...

. The major difference is that bizarre magic uses storytelling and word play to a much greater degree, and less emphasis is placed on the manual dexterity of the performer or the complexity of his equipment. The experience is more akin to small, intimate theater than image of the traditional magic show. Bizarre Magicians often use authentic antique or simulated artifacts to enhance their presentations. Storytelling is also employed for a greater sense of theatrical authenticity. Techniques such as these are important factors in distinguishing Bizarre from other types of magic performance in that Bizarre “references a larger magical world beyond the boundaries of the performance.”

Misinterpretation

Among many people, there is often the mistaken impression that bizarre magic must be ghoulish, ghostly, or ghastly. That is not necessarily true. Bizarre magic can be funny, comical, and downright slapstick. It can also be emotionally touching and philosophically provoking. A key feature is that it must touch the audience on a deeper emotional level than ordinary magic. That is done with a focus on the theatrical. It is often accomplished by simulating or re-enacting occult, pagan or shamanic magick, however unlike Gospel Magic

Gospel Magic

Gospel magic is the use of otherwise standard stage magic tricks and illusions to promote Christian messages. Gospel Magic does not claim to invoke spirits or paranormal powers....

, it is not designed with the promotion of religion but entertainment. As Bizarre Magic embraces horror and the supernatural as viable entertainment choices in addition to the standard commercial magic approaches of comedy and wonder. "Magic should be disturbing sometimes. It should make people uncomfortable. Of course, that's not an easy goal. It's not a commercial goal. The audience doesn't necessarily walk away smiling and admiring how clever and adroit you are. Instead they have a creepy feeling that what they've just experienced might have been real." Another methodology employed in performance is the integration of storytelling enhanced by magic.

Presentational style

Bizarre Magic is often performed as close-up magic, for a few people at a time, but it can also be performed as a club show or even as a stage act, depending on the routine, the props, and the performer. More so than other forms of magic, the community of Bizarre Magic encourages the artistry of the individual and the creation of unique presentation pieces instead of mimicking performance styles or the performance of standard effects that is common in commercial magic.

History

The movement of the art of Bizarre Magic began in the late 60s with Charles Cameron

Charles Cameron (magician)

Charles Wesley Cameron was a professional magician who specialized in a style known as bizarre magic. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, as the eldest of 2 brothers....

and Tony "Doc" Shiels. Some of the significant artists since that time have been Tony Andruzzi

Tony Andruzzi

Antonio C. "Tony" Andruzzi was a professional magician. From the 1950s to the early 1970s his performances were comedy illusions. He adopted the name Tom Palmer and had his legal name changed to Thomas S. Palmer...

(aka Maskelyn ye Mage), Jim Magus, Carl Herron (aka Brother Shadow), Tony Raven, Joe Lantiere, Eugene Burger

Eugene Burger

Eugene Burger is an American magician. He was born in 1939 and is based in Chicago Illinois. He is reputed for his close-up skills and his work in mentalism and bizarre magic.He is also a philosopher and a historian of religion...

, Eugene Poinc, Robin DeWitt and Kardor!, Larry White, Christian Chelman, Robert Neale

Robert Neale

-See also:*Robert Neal, Australian rules footballer*Robert R. Neall, American politician*Bob Neal *Robert Neill...

, Jeff McBride

Jeff McBride

Jeff McBride is an American magician from Monticello New York. He is known for his sleight of hand skills and specializes in the manipulation of playing cards, coins, and other small objects. His stage performances blend elements of kabuki, a Japanese theater form, with traditional conjuring...

, Denomolos (Ed Solomon), David Parr, Roni (Roni Shachnaey) and Ulf Bolling (aka Borodin).

Most of the material on the subject is published privately within the Bizarre Magic community and is not readily available through normal distribution. And many of the important works were either hand-made and or published on a very limited basis. So despite being relatively recent publications, many have significant collectible values into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Annual events

There are a few annual events focused on Bizarre Magic. The first event was the now defunct "Invocational" which started a tradition of annual gatherings in honor of the Bizarre.

The current offerings:

Society for Unusual Manifestations (SUM) The Odd Gathering presented by The Society for Unusual Manifestations which is held in the Spring.
Inner Circle of Bizarre Magick (ICBM) Annual Gathering in Connecticut which is held in November.
Annual Charles Cameron Gathering in Edinburgh, Scotland which is held in October.
Magic and Meaning Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada which is held in October.
Bizarre Magick UK Annual UK Gathering which is held in May.
PSYCRETS : British Society of Mystery Entertainers 'Tabula Mentis' Bi annual UK event dedicated to mentalism and bizarre.