Magic in Toyland

Is there anything that evokes more excitement and anticipation of pure entertainment than watching a magic trick being performed on a stage? "Magic in Toyland" is the second part in the series I created titled "Toyland". It was a labor of love that I conceived, photographed, produced and directed a crew of over 15 people to create a visual tale that grew from a desire to recreate an adult version of my childhood memories. Conceptually, I see these as 40 x 30" framed prints hanging in an adult play room to visually bring the element of surprise, mystery and illusion into the room.

The illusion of a magic trick is Performance Art at its best. With the help of a beautiful assistant and carnival like props, the Magician entertains us with their skilled manipulation of props and clever deception in a magical stage performance. We want to be drawn into another world where are senses are distorted and our assumptions of reality are skewed. By bending our perception of our physical world through optical illusion, sleight of hand or other sensory manipulations, the Magician reminds us that what we see is not always what we get!

The stage offers the Conjurer control over the audience's point of view. With optical deception being employed, I am fascinated by it use in real time. As a photographer, I am enthralled by optical illusions and know that Magicians are masters of the science of perception. It's all about how we assimilate the images in front of us. Lighting, sleight of hand, timing, optical space, direction, speed: the Science of Magic works with these elements to create the illusion of breaking laws of physics and logic. When sensation dislodges reasoning, our mind compensates for our disbelief and magic is born.

I am fascinated with Magicians because they are apart of a Secret Society. Mystery surrounds their knowledge. Everyone knows a Magician is never supposed to reveal the secrets to their magic tricks. Most take what is called the "Magicians Oath" and belong to a secret society of Illusionists. There is The International Brotherhood of Magicians, The Society of American Magicians, The British Society of Mystery Entertainers and right in our own backyard sits the ever intriguing and elusive Magic Castle here in Hollywood, which is home to the Academy of Magical Arts. I have had the honor of attending two dinners at the Magic Castle and watched as the Magicians performe in the various Victorian parlors of the Castle.

Magicians earn their fame and reputation by adding new techniques and new theatrical presentations which add to the psychology and science of Magic. Most notably, Jean Eugéne Robert-Houdini, the 19th century French Magician, considered the Grandfather of modern day stage magic, was one of the first to employ electromagnetism in his tricks. Alexander Herrmann, knows as Herrmann the Great, could bounce cards off the wall of the largest theater and catch marked bullets in his hand! And who hasn't heard of Harry Houdini? Harry (who took his stage name from Jean Eugéne Robert-Houdidi), became a house hold name with tricks like his Upside Down Water Tourture Cell, his disappearing elephant trick and incredible East Indian Needle Trick. While the famous modern day Illusionist David Copperfield, named by The Society of American Magicians as the "Magician of the Century", with his levitation and disappearing acts taking illusion to new heights.  And Derren Brown stands out for his contributions and advancement in hypnotism and mind reading. 

It is the Magician that dons the red satin lined cape, top hat and white gloves that still grabs my attention. I like a performer who knows his history and looks like a gentleman all rolled up in one. The forbidden, the mysterious, the almost sinister nature of magic is attractive and alluring. If you add a mustache and goatee to resemble the devil himself, all the better to instill fear of the unknown and unreal into your performance!

Some of my favorite movies revolve around Magic and Magicians. Who wasn't in awe and complete shock when the Wizard of Oz was revealed and his theatrics were revealed? Disney has recently gone back to reshape that tale this year in "Oz, The Great and Powerful". Laurel and Hardy's 1942 "A-Haunting We Will Go" featuring Dante The Magician is a classic. The 1954 Vincent Price flick "The Mad Magician" with Eva Gabor is one not to miss! The luscious cinematography in "The Magician", which was written and directed by Ingmar Bergman in 1958, is truly a feast for the eyes, each frame a perfect still.

1970 saw naughty Montag the Magician chop up unsuspecting victims in "The Wizard of Gore" directed by the amazing B-Movie director Hershel Gordon Lewis. To this day I still have nightmares that were induced by the freaky Magician/Ventriloquist movie from 1978 "Magic"staring Anthony Hopkins. Recently the "The Illustionist" staring Edward Norton as Eisenheim, is a beautifully crafted film that taps into the heart of Magic and deception.

Employing bizarre magic by using fantastical creatures and mystical storytelling, I came up with my own magic trick for this photographic series. A Sailor procures a magic key from a pipe smoking, tutu wearing raccoon in order to release a sword balancing Genie out of a treasure chest! Yes, overlapping allegories and random symbolism with no real purpose except for sheer entertainment ... Looks like Magick to me!

By now, I'm sure you have over the past 15 weeks been able to see an underlying theme working its way through my visual production. It stems from my earliest recollections as a figure skater, entertaining the public in costume, light and sound since the age of 3, coupled with being brought up by a Mother who was fascinated with anything unusual or out of the ordinary. Being frightened was fun and mystery was entertainment. What ever excited our curiosity, we explored its possibilities.

Life is truly Magical!

Julie Pavlowski Green

May 18, 2013