Object Lesson

“You live eighty years, and at best you get about six minutes of pure magic.”
George Carlin

I love any moment when you discover something new about something you think you already know.

Did that make sense? I hope so.

I remember when I first stumbled upon the Slydini video above. I’ve seen so magicians do this routine (I’ve even used it myself) and yet this video floored me. Generally, when you see someone perform the Paper Balls Over Head it’s filled with giant gestures and over the top spectator manipulation.

But not here...

Slydini’s moves are small gestures, natural, quiet, and reserved. Check out that moment at 2:13 - he measures the release of the ball so that his hand never goes out of sight.

It’s truly a thing of beauty.

And how about the sequence with the breast pocket from 3:39 through 4:25? I’ve never seen another person do that portion of the routine - ever! Why has this piece of gold disappeared from modern interpretations?

It can be easy to make the spectator feel foolish here, but Slydini handles him with sincerity and grace. He elevates the moment, and it becomes a gentleman entertaining a gentleman - no one is dragged down.

Tension and release.

Tension and release.

Six minutes of pure magic.

I’ve watched this dozens of times and I keep finding more.

I’m a guy who thinks that “perfect” is something to strive for but is impossible to attain.

Then I watch this, and I think, “I’ve got so much to learn.”