Mentalism

This article is about the performing art. For other uses of the word, see mentalism (disambiguation).

"Mentalist" redirects here. For the TV show, see The Mentalist.

Theatrical poster for a mind-reading performance, 1900

Mentalism is a performing art in which its practitioners, known as mentalists, appear to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities. Performances may appear to include telepathy, clairvoyance, divination, precognition, psychokinesis, mediumship, mind control, memory feats and rapid mathematics. Hypnosis may also be used as a stage tool. Mentalists are sometimes referred to as Psychic entertainers.

Background

Much of what the modern mentalist performs in his or her act can be traced back directly to tests of supernatural power that were carried out by mediums, spiritualists and psychics in the 19th Century.^{[attribution needed]} However, the history of mentalism goes back even further. Accounts of seers and oracles can be found in works by the ancient Greeks^{[attribution needed]} and in the Old Testament of the Bible. Among magicians, the mentalism performance generally cited as one of the earliest on record was by diplomat and pioneering sleight-of-hand magician Girolamo Scotto in 1572.

The performance of mentalism may utilise similar principles, sleights and skills as stage magic.^[1]

Performance Approaches

Styles of presentation can vary greatly. A few performers, in the mold of Uri Geller, The Amazing Kreskin, or James Van Praagh, claim to actually possess supernatural powers such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, or telekinesis.

Many contemporary performers, including Richard Osterlind, Banachek and Derren Brown attribute their results to less supernatural skills, such as the ability to read body language or to manipulate the subject subliminally through psychological suggestion.

Mentalist or Magician

Mentalists generally do not mix "standard" magic tricks with their mental feats. Doing so associates mentalism too closely with the theatrical trickery employed by stage magicians. Many mentalists claim not to be magicians at all, arguing that it is a different art form altogether.

Many magicians, however, mix mentally themed performance with magic illusions. For example, a mind-reading stunt might also involve the magical transposition of two different objects. Such hybrid feats of magic are often called mental magic by performers. Magicians who routinely mix magic with mental magic include David Copperfield, David Blaine, and The Amazing Kreskin.

Famous mentalists

Alexander Theodore Annemann Banachek Keith Barry Gary Kurtz Guy Bavli David Berglas Haim Goldenberg Derren Brown Kuda Bux Bob Cassidy Chan Canasta Corinda Joseph Dunninger

Mark Edward Glenn Falkenstein Uri Geller The Amazing Kreskin Al Koran Max Maven Gerry McCambridge Mysterion the Mind Reader Richard Osterlind Marc Paul The Piddingtons The Zancigs

Historical figures

It is strongly suspected^{[by whom?]} that mentalism techniques have, on occasion, been used outside the entertainment industry to influence the actions of prominent people for personal and/or political gain. Famous examples of such practitioners include:

• Erik Jan Hanussen
• Grigori Rasputin
• Wolf Messing
• Count Alessandro di Cagliostro

Mentalism in Television

• The Mentalist: an American crime procedural television series which debuted in 2008 on CBS. The main character, Patrick Jane, once achieved some notoriety as a psychic medium using paranormal abilities that he now admits he feigned. However, he abandoned his pretense out of remorse when his attention-seeking behavior attracted a serial killer who murdered his wife and daughter. Due to this he now works as an independent consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation (CBI) based in Sacramento, California. He has a remarkable track record for solving serious crimes by using his amazing skills of observation and his frequent use of his abilities as a mentalist.

• Psych: an American criminal comedy-drama television series which debuted in 2006 on the USA Network. The main character, Shawn Spencer, works as a consultant to the Santa Barbara Police Department (SBPD) as a "psychic detective" along with his partner Gus and the occasional help of his father. Though he purports to be a "psychic," in truth it is his exceptional observational skills and near photographic memory that allows him to portray himself as such.

See also

• Cold reading
• Eccentrics
• Idealism
• James Randi
• Materialism
• Memory sport
• Mnemonist
• Psychomagic
• Scientific skepticism
• Si Stebbins
• The Great Buck Howard (film)
• The Mentalist (TV series)
• Theatrical seances
• Thirteen Steps To Mentalism (book)

References

1. ^ Randi, James (1995). "An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural". St. Martin's Press. http://www.randi.org/encyclopedia/mentalist.html. Retrieved 2008-03-28. 

External links

• Audio clips of Kreskin and Dunninger in performance

• Mentalist in An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural

• PSYCRETS British Society of Mystery Entertainers

• Mentalist in An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural

Mentalist associations

• Psychic Entertainers Association.

• PSYCRETS The British Society of Mystery Entertainers

Mentalist conventions

• MINDvention is an annual convention of mentalists.

• Tabula Mentis A twice yearly event sponsored by PSYCRETS