The Genii Forum

Hi,

I am looking for information on Piet Forton (Pietre de Beaufort): What I know so far is that he won three times the FISM in cardmagic and that he published on “Concertos for pasteboard” the fantastic “Light-reft spread pass” (with Wolff von Keyserlingk).
Any info on his magic life ( books, videos, lectures, routines and so on) will be really appreciated

Thanks

Fabio

Piet has not really published that much, but there are a few more items than you've mentioned scattered in magazines and books.
Piet is alive and well and will be attending the International Magic Convention in London at the end of this month.

Piet Forton lives quite near me here in Switzerland, and I have met him a couple of times recently at origami conventions. Last I heard he was on his way to the El Escorial convention in Spain, and in fact he seems to attend quite a lot of European conventions and generally keep up with what's happening in magic.

He is probably best known for his Pop-out Move, of which he has several variations. He tells me he is working on a book of ideas using the Pop-out Move and related items by himself and others, although he does admit that it's taking a long time to compile.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that Piet Forton was not the author of "Concertos for Pasteboards" (I think it was written by Oliver Erens and translated fom the German by Ariel Frailich). Being Swiss, he may well have had some stuff in it though.

As a matter of interest, Piet speaks Swiss German, High German, Dutch, French, Spanish and English.

Piet is a friendly, gracious guy whom I've had the pleasure of getting to know a litlte at a few conventions. Try to cross paths with him at a convention. . .

He is a great guy and working on a top secret project... A monumental tome that is newsworthy and very interesting.

Geno,
How about at least a little hint?
Martin J

Piet has what is either a brilliant or very cock-eyed idea about a "super" book. I don't believe it's possible to do what he is trying to do, but if he pulls it off it would be one of the greatest books on magic ever published.
Now don't ask me any more questions because it's a secret. :)

Can anyone tell me in what modern or available publication can I find a detailed description on the Piet Forton Pop-Out move? Thx!

Roberto

I think he's planning to write a Pop-up book before he gets into that other project.

Roberto,
The Pop-Out Move has been described in detail by Karl Fulves in, I think, "Epilogue." This has been reprinted as a book--and is a stunning work in its totality that should be in everyone's library. Can't tell you how much good material is in there.

As I recall, Frank Simon's superb but out of print "Versatile Card Magic" contains a crystal clear explanation of the pop-out move, with good points about what it does and does not consist of.

Interesting facts from Mr Eddy Taytelbaum, Amsterdam, Holland:

http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/view ... =2&start=0

At 4F a couple of years ago, Piet and I were discussing Jerry Andrus' creativity, I had the opportunity to thank him for his innovative Pop out move. I explained I first learned it from the Gen. As a sidelight, he told me he had shown it to Harry or Lewis, and the next thing he knew it was in the magazine. He indicated he wasn't pleased about it.

Just an interesting Human side of the move.. I have to agree with prior poster that it was quite easy to learn from print. Of course I can read and comprehend for more than thirty seconds what I read.

GO

Latest news:

"He just opened his little private theatre in Basel where he alone is supposed to work. He has been working on it for many years..."

From a e-mail from Mr Eddy Paddlebaum, Amsterdam.

Info from a german web, a sloppy translation:

Magic Underground Theater
A dream comes true when Piet Forton in his home town of Basel, Switzerland built under his garden an underground magic theater with a moving stage and 50 seats. Piet Forton has invested a considerable sum to this big project.

Okay, it's now seven years later.

Is Piet Forton's top-secret book project still in progress?

Is it still shrouded in mystery?

I never thought that Piet's book was practical and wouldn't be surprised if it never came to fruition.

Is there any way you could subtly hint at the concept? Or at its impracticality?

It's not my place.

Was it a Pop-Up book?

No.

But every time you closed the book, the bookmark automatically appeared sticking halfway out between the pages.