The Role of Misdirection in the Act of Magic

An act of magic is a phenomenon that defies explanation or understanding in conventional terms. It is a display of supernatural or extraordinary abilities that seem to surpass the limits of the natural world. This concept has been a subject of fascination and curiosity for centuries, captivating people’s imaginations and giving rise to myths, legends, and tales of enchantment. The idea of magic is deeply ingrained in human culture and history. From ancient civilizations and folklore to modern literature and movies, the notion of magic has permeated various aspects of society. It often involves the manipulation of forces or elements beyond human control, such as spells, potions, or rituals.

Every magical network also necessitates a magical rite or site of central operations in which the magician acts. A trading floor, a film set, a court of law, a creative studio are all designed to configure and “consecrate” a particular field by means of magical performances. To be effective, creative, and act in the world, such events take place in specially qualified places where other conditions, professional skills, habits, ideas, and meanings are brought together. Such magical rites are designed to effect transformations (in share prices, in defining fashion, in interpreting a political event or criminal act) and tend to be strictly prescribed in time and location (e.g., fashion weeks, annual advertising awards ceremonies).

Since nobody is sure how an inner vision will materialize during the actual creation of a product, nor how an intended audience will react to it, both aesthetic and financial uncertainty add to the finished product s perceived magical quality. Magic is a widespread practice and belief system that mitigates uncertainty, dispels ambiguity, and precipitates change through nonrational or alternative means.

It often involves the manipulation of forces or elements beyond human control, such as spells, potions, or rituals. Magic can also be associated with supernatural beings, like witches, wizards, or sorcerers, who possess innate powers or knowledge. Throughout history, magic has been attributed to a wide range of practices and beliefs, varying from culture to culture.

Artefact Expo/Festival 2017: The Act of Magic

Melanie Bonajo, Night Soil / Fake Paradise, 2014. HD video, 33:09 minutes. Courtesy the artist & AKINCI, Amsterdam.

Curators: Karen Verschooren, STUK / Ils Huygens, Z33

“The concept of magic is fundamentally ambiguous—no one is sure what they are talking about when they are talking about magic; its definition is always changing. (…). To solve magic is to solve anthropology.”
–Dr. Graham M. Jones, Professor of Anthropology at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Artefact: The Act of Magic explores how we can understand magic and the magical in contemporary society. This inherently ambiguous concept evokes notions such as illusion, enchantment and awe, but is equally related to a deeper understanding of magical powers, the occult or supernatural, rituals and animism. It calls forth a range of interpretations on a continuum from pure illusion to a deep belief in a parallel world full of magical powers.

In present-day society however, both the instrumentarium as well as the vocabularium of magics is being used in other contexts as well. In complex systems that rule society, magic becomes a strategy and a tool to deceive and manipulate. The links between magic and the military, politics, financial systems and science & technology are prevailing as these systems have increasingly become black boxes to the large majority: intransparent, impenetrable, distanced. In the context of the military, political and financial systems, for example, magic is often consciously deployed as a diversion tactic, intended to increase the elusiveness of a system by ascribing a magical trait to it. This is apparent in for instance offshore constructions, high frequency trading algorithms, etc. In the context of technology, the term “haunted technology” or the so-called “ghost in the machine” is more prominently used with the increased ubiquity of smart technology, robotics and the internet of things. In these instances, magical enchantment is replaced by a feeling of unease with the uncanny, which attracts and repels at the same time.

The artists in The Act of Magic shed light on the way in which magic and the magical has permeated all layers of our everyday life. From poetry to activist strategy, from magical object to black box, from benign illusion to deception and manipulation, from New Age self-help advertisement to spiritual vision: the artworks throughout the exhibition incite magical thinking and reveal a passage to another world.

Participating artists

Expo
Troika (Germany/Germany/France), Verena Friedrich (Germany), Jens Brand (Germany), Eric Arnal-Burtschy (France), Marjolijn Dijkman (Netherlands), Suzanne Treister (UK), Center for Tactical Magic (US), Shana Moulton (US), Melanie Bonajo (Netherlands), Tim Etchells (UK), Jonathan Allen (UK), Hollington & Kyprianou (UK), Liz Magic Laser (US), Goldin+Senneby (Sweden), Femke Herregraven (Netherlands), Tobias Revell (UK), RYBN.org (France), BCL (Austria/Japan)

Artefact Music Festival
Aïsha Devi (Switzerland), Sky H1 (Belgium), Oathbreaker (Belgium), Orphan Swords (Belgium), WWWater (Belgium), oaktree (Belgium), Bjeor (Belgium), Klåps (Belgium), Actress (UK), ssaliva (Belgium), Nosedrip (Belgium), Jan Swerts (Belgium), amiina (Iceland), Helm (UK), MIAUX (Belgium), Maris (Belgium), Derek Holzer (US), Mads Bech Paluszewski-Hau (Denmark)

Performances and lectures
Eric Arnal-Burtschy (France), Kat Válastur (Greece), Tobias Revell (UK), David Tholander & Frederikke Larcheveaut Tholander (Denmark), Thomas Hertog (Belgium), Geert Vanpaemel (Belgium)

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In some cases, it has been associated with religious or spiritual rituals, used as a way to connect with higher forces or seek divine intervention. In other instances, magic has been seen as a form of entertainment or performance art, where skilled illusionists or magicians create illusions and tricks that deceive the senses and mystify the audience. However, the concept of magic is not solely confined to fictional stories or stage performances. Many people believe in the existence of real-world magic or supernatural phenomena that cannot be explained by science or rational thinking. Whether through personal experiences, folklore, or cultural traditions, these individuals perceive the presence of magic in their lives and view it as a force that can shape their reality. In recent times, the perception of magic has evolved with the advancement of technology and scientific discoveries. Many phenomena that were once considered magical or mysterious can now be explained through scientific principles and laws. As our understanding of the natural world expands, the realm of magic is constantly redefined and reinterpreted. Ultimately, the concept of magic is deeply intertwined with human fascination and the desire for wonder and enchantment. It represents the unknown, the extraordinary, and the realm where anything is possible. Whether through mythology, religion, or personal beliefs, the act of magic continues to captivate our imagination and remind us of the limitless potential of the world we inhabit..

Reviews for "The Illusionists: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the World's Greatest Magicians"

1. John Smith - 2 stars - I found "Act of Magic" to be quite disappointing. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with too many unnecessary twists and turns. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with, making it hard for me to care about their fates. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, jumping from slow and meandering to fast-paced action without much coherence. Overall, it failed to hold my interest and left me feeling unsatisfied.

2. Emily Johnson - 1 star - "Act of Magic" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style felt unpolished and amateurish, with clunky dialogue and awkward descriptive passages. The world-building was shallow, leaving many unanswered questions and making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The magical elements also felt forced and poorly executed. I struggled to suspend my disbelief and found it hard to engage with the plot or the characters. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted fantasy novel.

3. David Thompson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Act of Magic" but was ultimately disappointed. The narrative lacked coherence and often felt disjointed, with abrupt changes in perspective and unresolved storylines. The character development was lackluster, leaving the protagonists feeling one-dimensional and difficult to root for. Additionally, the action sequences were confusing and poorly described, making it hard to visualize what was happening. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to create an engaging and immersive magical world.

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