Friday, March 9, 2007

Finding Inspiration

Where do you find inspiration for your magic? One of the best pieces of advice I ever got (though come to think of it, it was really just a strong reinforcement for what I already believed myself) came from Vito Lupo several years ago, when I was getting ready to pull up roots and move to Los Angeles. He advised that I not just look for my inspiration from within the magic world, but to look outside to other sources as well.

What is it that inspires you? Is it music, art, great ideas, nature? I've been inspired by each of these at different times, and have found ways of integrating them into my magic performances.

I've always been very inspired by physical movement and have made it a very big part of how I approach magic. It's how I developed the "balanced movement" techniques that I teach other magicians. Since most magic is mainly a visual art form, and we must express ourselves with images, one of the major ways we create those images is through the use of body language in its many forms. So movement, both big and small, bold and subtle, in all its various intricacies, is a vital aspect of performing good magic.

Some of my inspirations outside magic have included Cirque du Soleil (I discovered them years ago, after the first or second version of the troupe began touring), avant-garde juggler, Michael Moshen, and dancers like Fred Astaire and Mikhail Baryshnikov. I find each of them to be quite magical in their own right, and it inspires me to attempt to create that same feeling in my magic.

And speaking of Vito Lupo, he is one person that has always been consistently inspiring for me as well. Practically every time I talk to him, I come away inspired in one way or another. I take something from the encounter that's new and thought provoking or uplifting in some way. And the reason Vito's so inspiring? He's inspired! And he has a passion to share his inspiration.

So whatever it is that gets you that inspired, find it, study it, use it! Use it for your own inspiration, and above all, share it with others. Because inspiration that isn't shared soon withers and dies. You must keep an open, free flowing channel that not only takes in inspiration, but that offers it as well.

I just found another source of inspiration outside magic. Some of you may be familiar with him, but he was new for me. He's a juggler named Chris Bliss. I found a video of the finale of his act. He's using fairly common juggling tricks, but using them brilliantly, flawlessly, and above all, quite artistically. I hope you'll find him inspiring as well. You can check out his video HERE.

In any case, wherever it may lie, find your inspiration and bring it to your magic!

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