Bizarre magic

Bizarre Magic, or Bizarre Magick, is a branch of stage magic, or conjuring, like stage illusions, sleight of hand, or children's magic. The major difference is that bizarre magic uses storytelling and word play to a much greater degree, and less emphasis is placed on the manual dexterity of the performer or the complexity of his equipment. The experience is more akin to small, intimate theater than image of the traditional magic show. Bizarre Magicians often use authentic antique or simulated artifacts to enhance their presentations. Storytelling is also employed for a greater sense of theatrical authenticity. Techniques such as these are important factors in distinguishing Bizarre from other types of magic performance in that Bizarre “references a larger magical world beyond the boundaries of the performance.” [Maven, Max. Quoted in Burger, Eugene (1991). “Strange Ceremonies.” Published by Kaufman and Company, Washington D.C. (p, 38).]

Among many people, there is often the mistaken impression that bizarre magic must be ghoulish, ghostly, or ghastly. That is not necessarily true. Bizarre magic can be funny, comical, and downright slapstick. It can also be emotionally touching and philosophically provoking. A key feature is that it must touch the audience on a deeper emotional level than ordinary magic. That is done with a focus on the theatrical. It is often accomplished by simulating or re-enacting occult, pagan or shamanic magick, however unlike Gospel Magic, it is not designed with the promotion of religion but entertainment. As Bizarre Magic embraces horror and the supernatural as viable entertainment choices in addition to the standard commercial magic approaches of comedy and wonder. "Magic should be disturbing sometimes. It should make people uncomfortable. Of course, that's not an easy goal. It's not a commercial goal. The audience doesn't necessarily walk away smiling and admiring how clever and adroit you are. Instead they have a creepy feeling that what they've just experienced might have been real." [David Parr, Genii Magazine, Oct 2000] Another methodology employed in performance is the integration of storytelling enhanced by magic.

Bizarre Magic is often performed as close-up magic, for a few people at a time, but it can also be performed as a club show or even as a stage act, depending on the routine, the props, and the performer. More so than other forms of magic, the community of Bizarre Magic encourages the artistry of the individual and the creation of unique presentation pieces instead of mimicking performance styles or the performance of standard effects that is common in commercial magic.The movement of the art of Bizarre Magic began in the late 60s with Charles Cameron and Tony "Doc" Shiels. Some of the significant artists since that time have been Tony Andruzzi (aka Maskelyn ye Mage), Jim Magus, Carl Herron (aka Brother Shadow), Tony Raven, Joe Lantiere, Eugene Burger, Eugene Poinc, Larry White, Christian Chelman, Robert Neale, Jeff McBride, Denomolos (Ed Solomon) and Ulf Bolling (aka Borodin).

Most of the material on the subject is published privately within the Bizarre Magic community and is not readily available through normal distribution. And many of the important works were either hand-made and or published on a very limited basis. So despite being relatively recent publications, many have significant collectible values into the hundreds or thousands of dollars.

There are a few annual events focussed on Bizarre Magic. The first event was the now defunct "Invocational" which started a tradition of annual gatherings in honor of the Bizarre.

The current offerings are:

* [http://www.icbmmagick.com Inner Circle of Bizarre Magick (ICBM)] Annual Gathering in Connecticut which is held in November.
*Annual Charles Cameron Gathering in Edinburgh, Scotland which is held in October.
*Magic and Meaning Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada which is held in October.

ee also

Trade Periodical: Invocation, The - Raven, Tony, 1974-1978
Trade Periodical: New Invocation, The - Andruzzi, Tony /Hilford, Docc, 1979-1996
Trade Periodical: Cauldron, The - Cameron, Charles
Trade Periodical: Genii Magazine - Issue 666
Trade Periodical: Snake Oil Almanac
Trade Periodical: Altar Flame - Tomich, Mary
Trade Periodical: Krypt's Quarterly Crier - Zver, David E.
Trade Periodical: [http://www.oraclemagicmagazine.com/ Oracle] -

Negromicon of Maskelyn ye Mage - Andruzzi, Tony
Daemon's Diary - Andruzzi, Tony
Grimoire of the Mages - Andruzzi, Tony, 1978
Legendary Scroll of Maskelyn ye Mage - Andruzzi, Tony
Experience of Magic, The - Burger, Eugene, 1989
Arcana of Bizarre Magick - Magus, Jim, 1994
Strange Ceremonies - Burger, Eugene, 1991
Capricornian Tales - Chelman, Christian, 1993
Hauntiques - Chelman, Christian, 2006
Legendes Urbaines (French) - Chelman, Christian (1999)
Compendium Sortilegionis (French) - Chelman, Christian, 2003
Sheherazade - Borodin, Ulf
Final Curtain - Borodin, Ulf
Video: Eugene Goes Bizarre - Burger, Eugene
Video: Bizarre! - Andruzzi, Tony

External links

* [http://www.bizarremagic.net bizarremagic.net]
* [http://www.bizarremagick.com Bizarre Magick.com]
* [http://www.surnateum.org surnateum.org]
* [http://www.psycrets.org.uk British Society of Mystery Entertainers]
* [http://www.magicalwisdom.com/details.php?id=381 Magic and Meaning Conference]
* [http://www.magicbeard.com/view.php?id=2 Eugene Burger on Tony Andruzzi]
* [http://www.davidparr.com/ David Parr]
* [http://www.icbmmagick.com/ Inner Circle of Bizarre Magic]

References