I've had the missus laptop today and I've been viciously reading 'Our Magic' by Maskelyne.
First off. Let me say that the first part regarding 'Art' left me feeling like someone lit my hair on fire. You kind of get this impression that everything you have done in magic, up to the point of reading it; you feel like a hack.
The book talks about: lower art, normal art, and higher art.
Lower art is relatively easy to interpret: Are you using someones rotuine, word for word; mannerism for mannerism. And using it as your own?
If so? Ta-da! Lower art.
I've been reading over the interpretation of Normal and Higher Art a few times now and I'm still confused as to where the line in the sand actually is.
From what I have come to so far: 'Normal Art' would be where you take a routine or a trick, and make some minor adjustments to it.
The part that I'm getting hung up on is the use of magic props.
Props, in magic, can only do 3 things: They work, they don't work, they eventually rust/break down/etc. Very linear in operation.
However, part of 'High Art' is the focus on completely original presentation and having said routines worked on so that, even the first time you perform, said trick and effect work so that only VERY MINOR adjustments need to be made.
With that, I do understand and agree that a skilled mechanic does require years of practice. A part of the definition of 'High Art'.
My question is this (and keep in mind, I only want to perform for at the moment is children's hospitals): As a beginner, I'm using linear props to perform with and I lack real world experience (namely, I'm working with all Tenyo. I'm going to be working on cards and coins relatively soon). However, I have original presentation for all of them and a clear theme to string them all together. I have a clear idea of how I want the effects to happen; nothing complex and easy to understand.
I'm just really hung up on if the utilization of magic props are considered 'Lower Art' (as , I think, you're imitating the exact motions to acquire the result), 'Normal Art' (since you can adjust the presentation and patter beyond instructions), or 'High Art' (Since it is possible to construct a completely original routine. Nothing is impossible in this respect)
Also, is it possible, as a beginner, to perform at a level of 'High Art'? Or do we all start off at a level of 'Normal Art' and depending on our level of dedication to the art (or lack thereof), we can either achieve 'High Art'.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
First off. Let me say that the first part regarding 'Art' left me feeling like someone lit my hair on fire. You kind of get this impression that everything you have done in magic, up to the point of reading it; you feel like a hack.
The book talks about: lower art, normal art, and higher art.
Lower art is relatively easy to interpret: Are you using someones rotuine, word for word; mannerism for mannerism. And using it as your own?
If so? Ta-da! Lower art.
I've been reading over the interpretation of Normal and Higher Art a few times now and I'm still confused as to where the line in the sand actually is.
From what I have come to so far: 'Normal Art' would be where you take a routine or a trick, and make some minor adjustments to it.
The part that I'm getting hung up on is the use of magic props.
Props, in magic, can only do 3 things: They work, they don't work, they eventually rust/break down/etc. Very linear in operation.
However, part of 'High Art' is the focus on completely original presentation and having said routines worked on so that, even the first time you perform, said trick and effect work so that only VERY MINOR adjustments need to be made.
With that, I do understand and agree that a skilled mechanic does require years of practice. A part of the definition of 'High Art'.
My question is this (and keep in mind, I only want to perform for at the moment is children's hospitals): As a beginner, I'm using linear props to perform with and I lack real world experience (namely, I'm working with all Tenyo. I'm going to be working on cards and coins relatively soon). However, I have original presentation for all of them and a clear theme to string them all together. I have a clear idea of how I want the effects to happen; nothing complex and easy to understand.
I'm just really hung up on if the utilization of magic props are considered 'Lower Art' (as , I think, you're imitating the exact motions to acquire the result), 'Normal Art' (since you can adjust the presentation and patter beyond instructions), or 'High Art' (Since it is possible to construct a completely original routine. Nothing is impossible in this respect)
Also, is it possible, as a beginner, to perform at a level of 'High Art'? Or do we all start off at a level of 'Normal Art' and depending on our level of dedication to the art (or lack thereof), we can either achieve 'High Art'.
Any help is greatly appreciated!