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Journalism of Courage
Illusionist David Copperfield is known for making unexpected things—the Statue of Liberty, for example—disappear. But he’s had a little harder time making some serious legal problems evaporate. In October, Copperfield was the target of an investigation into a Seattle woman’s claims that she was raped and assaulted by Copperfield at Musha Cay; Copperfield has denied any wrongdoing. He was subsequently sued by a group of promoters who claim the magician backed out of performances in light of the controversy. Copperfield has counter-sued. Here’s what the man has to say for himself:
Does the world still have a sense of wonder?
The ability to amaze and create a sense of childlike wonder in an audience, is, to me, the basic tenet of the art of magic, and this I believe is still very much in existence. I would hope that children still want be magicians. As long as you allow yourself to imagine the impossible, the world will always have a sense of wonder.
What effect has the Internet and sites like YouTube had on the world of magic?
My show is constantly evolving… new tricks are added, old ones are dropped…so it stays fresh. I believe that seeing illusionists in person will beat watching an illusion on a computer screen any day. Science and technology have often been used by the magician before they came into the marketplace on a mass basis. For example, prior to the moving picture going into theaters, magicians were using the technique of images in motion as illusions in their shows. You always need to stay one step ahead of the technology game.
You’ve walked through The Great Wall of China; you’ve made the Statue of Liberty disappear; and you’ve levitated over the Grand Canyon. Do you have an illusion that defines you?
I couldn’t say that one illusion defines me, but I would have to say one of my favorite illusions of all time was “Flying.” That illusion took me seven years to create.
What is your opinion of magicians who reveal their secrets?
I know lots of news was made a few years back about the so-called “Masked Magician” and his revealing many secrets. I am fortunate to have the resources to use many methods for my illusions. If someone makes a guess that is in the correct ballpark as to how I perform my magic, I keep the illusion but change the method. But there are thousands of magicians with families who are less fortunate. They are hard-working entertainers who cannot afford to have multiple methods for their illusions.
-MICHAEL ECK (NYT)
