Shawn Farquhar – SHAPE OF MY HEART

In 2008 whilst living in Madrid I met Shawn whilst he was touring Europe – and have never before met someone so enthused, excited and passionate about magic.  His creations are so unique to him, so heart-felt, and so very special – the above clip is just one of his very best.

His awards include being the only magician in history to win first place at the International Brotherhood of Magicians (IBM) for both Stage and Sleight of Hand, first place in Card Magic and the Grand Prix World Championship for Close-Up Magic, and in August 2009 he won magic’s most prestigious prize at the FISM World Championship of Magic in Beijing.

He is an incredibly kind human being, and one of the finest magicians this world has to offer.

Visit Shawn’s website here.

- X.

David Blaine – PEUGEOT CAR ADVERT

In the year 2000 in cinemas around the world there featured an unknown American magician in a short advert for the Peugeot 206.

Just over a decade later and David Blaine is now synonymous with magic.  He has re-crafted, re-shaped and re-created how magic is presented, and inspired countless magicians from every corner of the world.  Today David performs privately for the world’s most powerful, he airs television specials that attract millions of people, he creates stunts never-before attempted, and he enjoys success and recognition not seen for generations.

And it all started here, just a 27-year-old unknown from Brooklyn.

Visit David’s website here.

- X.

Tommy Wonder – CUPS AND BALLS

Harry Houdini was once quoted as saying that no man may consider himself a magician unless he can adequately perform the cups and balls.  It is perhaps THE fundamental routine of magic, it employs many of the foundational techniques and psychological subtleties, and it is seen as one of the earliest tricks in the history of magic (evidence of a man performing it is painted on the wall of a tomb in Beni Hasan, Egypt – 2700 years ago).

Dutch magician Tommy Wonder is considered widely as having been one of the true luminaries of 20th century magic, and his touches and insights into the beauty, psychology and elegance of magic are nonpareil.  There are many more of his routines available on the internet, and are well worth taking time to locate.

Please enjoy – X.

Jean Pierre Vallarino – WILD CARD

This is hands down one of the finest card displays on the internet – the complexity of his manouevres, fused with the effortless handling and the flawless production and filming quality makes for a very beautiful little creation.  Que lo disfrutes.

In 1991 JP Vallarino won gold medal at FISM – the magic world’s equivalent of the Olympics, and is a modern-day master of elegance in Close-Up Magic.

Love – X.