Deep within history’s roots are people who possessed an uncanny ability to draw and hold the attention of a crowd by performing impossible tricks which left the crowd baffled and mystified. Originally the name which was given to people who were able to perform such baffling tricks was the name magi. As history progressed the name magi evolved into magicians, a name was also given to the practice of performing such bewildering impossible tricks; the practice thereof was referred to as magic tricks. Today there are various types of magic tricks and styles to choose to practice such as street magic, stage magic and close up magic.
One of the most practiced forms of magic performed by magicians of the twentieth century is Micro magic. Micro magic is also called close up magic because most of the tricks which are performed are done so on a table sometimes in the center of the audience. Other times close up magic is performed three feet away from the audience the whole purpose of close up magic is to have the audience interact with the magician.
Micro magic involves sleight of hand tricks and flourishes. The term sleight of hand refers to how fast magicians are able to move their hands in such a way that viewers hardly notice. Therefore because close up magic is performed at a close range in sight of the audience, magicians utilizes sleight of hand tricks to manipulate the structure of objects. Spoon bending and vanishing coins tricks are example of some of the objects that are used by magicians in sleight of hand tricks.
Most magicians that performed close up magic commonly combine several tricks. Some magicians who lack skill prefer to perform one trick at a time. The ability to juggle between and to execute a combination of tricks is called Flourishes. Magicians when performing close up magic often uses small objects such as small cups, balls, coins and cards to perform tricks. Items such as the one mentioned above in the hands of magicians can be used to perform amazing tricks such as producing baby chickens just form using a cup and a couple of balls.
Besides sleight of hand tricks and flourishes, magicians which practice close up magic also have the ability to use micro mentalism at their disposal. When magicians perform close up mentalism tricks they use telekinesis, ESP and telepathy to move objects, read minds and hypnotize people. Here are some examples of mentalism tricks may look like when performed by magicians.
- Levitation
- Card tricks “pick a card any card” once picked the magician guess the card which you have selected.
- Telekinesis when used magicians claim to be able to read your mind.
- Hypnosis is used by magicians to take control of one’s body and mind.
The earliest record that history has of close up magic being practiced dates back to the Mid Evil era which is over 3000 years ago. Magicians that practice close up magic have mastered the arts of using illusions and distractions in the sight of an audience at close range.