Astarte

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Matthew Field
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Astarte

Postby Matthew Field » December 21st, 2013, 9:47 am

I haven't had the opportunity to attend the Los Angeles Conference on Magic History, so I was especially interested in seeing the video of John Gaughan's reconstruction of Astarte which is including in the digital edition of the January magazine.

WOW! I can't tell you how bowled over I am by this. The movements of the woman in this levitation are miraculous. Not only does she appear to have total freedom to move her legs and lower body, but she moves all around the stage, upside down, through hoops, sideways -- just amazing!

But what bowled me over is that she several times turns around along the vertical axis, doing a pirouette in the air so her front and back sides are shown.

I have no idea at all about the method. All I know is the effect is beautiful.

Congratulations to John Gaughan for staging this, and thanks to John, Mike Caveney and Jim Steinmeyer for allowing it to be shown in the Genii digital issue, and to Richard Kaufman and Bill Taylor for making it available.

Matt Field

Diego
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Re: Astarte

Postby Diego » December 21st, 2013, 10:39 am

When Mystina did a vertical axis, the audience audibly gasped in amazement.

Wonderful to see what Astarte really looked like and the effect it had on an audience, after only seeing some still photos of it in books.

Astarte was a real highlight for everyone.

Bill Mullins
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Re: Astarte

Postby Bill Mullins » January 2nd, 2014, 12:20 am

Is the video in Genii supposed to be silent? I can see Mystina is talking, but can't hear anything as I watch.

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Richard Kaufman
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Re: Astarte

Postby Richard Kaufman » January 2nd, 2014, 12:51 am

Yes, it is silent (as noted in Genii Speaks).
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Q. Kumber
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Re: Astarte

Postby Q. Kumber » January 21st, 2014, 7:45 am

Here is a clip of Jeffrey Atkins performing The Mummy Illusion on the Paul Daniels TV show, 1979. I believe this version was invented by Roltaire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqxmXzO6g04

Jonathan Townsend
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Re: Astarte

Postby Jonathan Townsend » January 21st, 2014, 9:42 am

Glad to hear the trick is well received. Kudos and much respect to the assistant who trained to make the thing look magical.

Not sure why folks are being coy about the thing - some of the patents are open access:

http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?PageNum=0& ... 2F00415084
Mundus vult decipi -per Caleb Carr's story Killing Time


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