Reuters reviews Criss Angel and his new, appropriately title book, Mindfreak: Secret Revelations.
The reporter identifies a fundamental question one must resolve when considering an illusionist. "Illusionist Criss Angel readily admits he has no magical powers, no psychic powers and no supernatural powers. So is he a fraud?"
Mr. Angel has the perfect response.
"A lot of what I do is 110 percent real. But I try to blur the lines between reality and illusion. Then I leave it up to my audience to decide."
Mr. Angel preaches to magicians and their audiences in his book and today's interview that magic should be more than "set tricks and girls in leotards in boxes." It should be presented as an art form.
Mr. Angel's new book does reveal (or teach) 40 tricks with great instructions and fantastic photographs. But teaching a young magician how to make a styrofoam cup float or to vanish a toothpick is not the same as revealing the true secrets of our profession.
The book does reveal the method behind his most gruesome effect: hanging by fishhooks whist being dragged through the Nevada desert skies.
The secret is all in the preparation. "Yes, it did hurt," said Angel. "But I focus my mind on the pain so I get numb to it."
Mr. Angel writes that he did not use a numbing agent to ease tremendous pain he felt as his back was pierced with hooks and bolts and was then lifted 1,000 feet in the air.
The first three chapters are not for the faint of heart. (The passages about his brother "burping" his skin after the stunt turned our stomach each time we read it).
Mr. Angel's recently announced deal with the Luxor Hotel will have him performing almost 500 shows a year for ten years.
He ends the interview with a typical Criss Angel quote, filled with paradox and intrigue: "In magic, I've never seen anything that can't be explained or reproduced and I believe anything is possible if you want it enough."
You can read the full article on the Reuter's wire service here.
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