WHY Do You Do That? Part 1

As someone with a bit of Peter Pan syndrome,  I'm a little envious of children.  Kids simply do things - they see a can, they kick it & it turns into a game. They see a pile of Legos, they build a house/space ship/dinosaur.  They get a magic set for their birthday, they become a magician.

As we grow-up, "simply do" is replaced by, "something more important to do."   Some mornings, I'd like nothing better than to simply jump on my bike and ride away to some secret place and read comic books all day.  My adult reality is, A: I no longer own a bike, B: the comics I still own are "collectible" and under plastic, and C: I have to go to work, make money, pay bills.

It's a wonder my interest in magic survived young adulthood at all.  I raised 3 kids, built several careers (radio, advertising, writing, voice-over/audio production), and moved across the country more times than I'd like to think about.  The fact that there was room for even a passing interest in magic is miraculous in itself; that I still have enough passion to seriously get back into magic at this stage in my life is, well, magic.

Even now, as I fumble forward towards performing, there's that nagging grown-up voice in the back of my head that screams, "WHY?"   Why go through all the planning and practice to do something new, now?  Why go after a crazy dream I had as a kid?  Why try to teach an old dog new tricks?

Since I started this journey, I've found the best thing to do when I have a big question in my head is to ask those who are already doing it.  Without fail, professional magicians have kindly answered this aging rookie's questions (although I know some who would scoff at this, "kind" has become my favorite word to describe magicians).  So I decided I'd ask a few of them the question that's been nibbling on the back of my mind lately, "Why do you do that?"  Why be a magician?  Why do magic? Why have you continued to do it your entire life?

I asked the question of several magicians, expecting one response at best.  I got many responses (see the word "kind" above).  So many responses, in fact, that I decided to do a "multi-blog" about it.  So let's begin with the first response I received (within an hour, if I'm not mistaken).

Suzanne is, without a doubt, one of my favorite magicians.  It's not just that she's the most in-demand magician in Minneapolis, which was the "big city" to this small town South Dakota boy growing up, it's not just because she's crazy talented and skilled, although she is, and it's not even that she fooled Penn & Teller, which she did.  What sets Suzanne apart for me is her style... her personality draws you in, her routines touch your heart on a deeper level.  Her magic is, well, real magic.  Her response to the question, "Why do you do that?" was just as thoughtful and meaningful as her magic:

There are a few reasons I love performing magic. I really love puzzles. Because of this my desire to learn how magic tricks work is really strong. Once I started learning how magic worked I couldn't see "Magic" anymore, I could only see the "how-to". Performing gives me the opportunity to see "Magic" through other people's eyes. Magic also gives me a social outlet that I wouldn't normally get. I tend to be an introvert and magic is a good vehicle for me to connect with people. I'm also a very tactile person. I was drawn to flourish type things in the beginning. If cardistry had been a big thing when I started in the mid-80s I would have loved doing that. Close-up magic gives me the opportunity to connect that type of solitary practice with something meaningful.

Rick Maue is another favorite of mine.  Once he toured endlessly, opening for the biggest music acts in the world, performing his "audience devastating" mentalism routines.  In his spare time, Rick invented and taught magic... he is truly a legend in the magic world.  Some years ago, a drunk driver stole that life away from him... or did it?  A truly great magician finds a way.  Today, Rick continues to create and perform when his body allows him to... sometimes, when his body doesn't want him to.  In addition to magic, we share a deep love for music and words.  Here's what he had to say when I asked, "Why?"

Without going into too much depth, if the question is why I create/perform magic, my response is: Because.

Now, to be clear, that isn’t meant to be flippant. In truth, it is actually extremely honest. I mean, we rarely hear the same question asked of poets, songwriters, dancers, or sculptors.

But, many folks don’t link magic and art. As for me, art isn’t the form…it is the heart of the creator.

In other words, an artist expresses.

That said, I have no idea why others create and/or perform magic. Or poetry. Or songs. Or anything else.

To me, expression is the foundation of art. However, expression isn’t necessary for craft…or for a mere magic trick. Now, that doesn’t mean craft isn’t beautiful. It doesn’t mean it isn’t wonderful. It doesn’t mean it isn’t valuable. However, craft is often mere skill and/or talent…and those two things aren’t essential for art and/or expression.

So, why do I create and perform magic?

Because.


Puzzles, playing together, meaning, artistic expression, because. Wonderful answers to my question.  I am stunned & humbled that I was able to lead with words from Suzanne and Rick.   I can't thank them enough for their thoughts.

And that's just the beginning...