Bizarre magic includes Wizard-style magic, Simulated Black Magic or Ceremonial Magic, Mediums or Spiritualists, Grotesque Magic, and Freak Show Magic is Weird Magic (or the less mysterious spelling, Bizarre Magic). Makes people wonder if “the real thing” is what they see. There is a focus on creating “atmosphere” and story-telling.
For a greater sense of dramatic realism, Bizarre magic magicians employ storytelling. Techniques like these separate the Weird from other kinds of magic performance in that “Bizarre” refers to a wider magical universe outside the performance boundaries.
Magic should be disturbing sometimes. It should make people uncomfortable.
That’s not an easy goal. It’s not a commercial goal. The audience doesn’t necessarily walk away smiling and admiring how clever and adroit you are. Instead they have a creepy feeling that what they’veexperienced might have been real.
Bizarre Magic magicians use magic as a visual kicker in their bizarre magic to tell tales of the strange, eccentric, or spectacular kind (providing “proof” that the story did in fact happen).
The Cauldron (1967), Invocation (1974) and The Altar Flame were several journals devoted to Bizarre Magick (1993). The Vibrations journal discusses topics related to Bizarre Magick.
List of Bizarre Magic Magicians:
- Tony Shiels
- Eugene Burger
- Charles W. Cameron
- Tony Andruzzi
- Eugene Poinc and Roni Shachnaey
- Todd Landman
- Iain Jay
- Careena Fenton
- Nick Brunger
- Ashton Carter
- Nik Taylor
- Paul Voodini
- Tracy Wise
- Steve Drury
- Mary Tomich
- Jim Magus
- Paul Prater
- David Parr
- Vince Wilson
- Prof. BC
- Joe Lantiere and Vladdere
Bizarre Magic Fae Gothic Horror
Misinterpreting Black Magic Circle Spirit
There is an unfounded belief among certain individuals that bizarre magic must be ghoulish, ghostly, or ghastly. Not that’s real. Funny, comical, and downright slapstick can be bizarre magic. Emotionally touching and philosophically provoking, it can be. On a deeper emotional level than ordinary magic, it must affect the spectator. That’s done with a theatrical focus. It is done by simulating or re-enacting occult, pagan, or shamanic magic, but, unlike Gospel Magic, it is not meant to encourage religion but to promote entertainment.
In addition to the traditional commercial magic approaches of humor and wonder, Bizarre Magic embraces horror and the supernatural as viable entertainment decisions.
Another technique used in performance is the incorporation of story-telling.
Introductive Haunted Séance Witchcraft
For a few people at a time, Bizarre Magic is done as close-up magic, but, depending on the routine, the props, and the artist, it may be performed as a club show or even as a stage act. More than other forms of magic, instead of mimicking performance styles or the performance of standard effects that are popular in commercial magic, the Bizarre Magic culture promotes the artistry of the performer and the development of unique presentation objects.
A History of Mummified Matchbox
The art movement of Bizarre Magic started with Charles Cameron and Tony “Doc” Shiels in the late 60s. Tony Andruzzi (aka Maskelyn ye Mage), Jim Magus, Carl Herron (aka Brother Shadow), Tony Raven, Joe Lantiere, Eugene Burger, Eugene Poinc, Larry White, Christian Chelman, Robert Neale, Jeff McBride, Denomolos (Ed Solomon), Roni (Roni Shachnaey), and Ulf Bolling were some of the big artists since then (aka Borodin).
Within the Bizarre Magic group, much of the content on the subject is published privately and is not readily available via regular distribution . Many of the works were either hand-made on a limited basis or written. Many have substantial collectible prices in the hundreds or thousands of dollars, despite being recent publications.
