IAN FRISCH SHEDS LIGHT ON THE SECRET WORLD OF MAGICIANS
At first glance Ian Frisch seems an unlikely candidate to be offered membership in a contemporary secret society of magicians. He is a freelance journalist who, in 2015, was broke and squatting in an abandoned office building. His interest in poker and playing cards led him in a roundabout way to the world of magic and magicians.
There is a renaissance of stage and close-up magic taking place, primarily through the internet and YouTube, as new young maverick magicians challenge long held traditions and methods. Mr. Frisch thought if nothing else, this would make for an interesting article to pitch. Although he was only researching a story, he fell deeply under the spell of strong personalities and the allure of magic. He had no idea that this would launch him into a secret world that would eventually lead to becoming a member of a group called the52.
Mr. Frisch made the acquaintance of magician Chris Ramsey, who invited him to a convention in Blackpool, England. There he met Daniel Madison and Laura London, the founders of the52, an invite-only organization of modern magicians. It is not a secret society so much as a loose confederation of people who contribute in some way to the advancement of the art form of magic. Each member identifies with a different card from a standard deck and has that card tattooed on the inside of a finger. While there Mr. Frisch accompanied the52’s newest recruit, 2018 “America’s Got Talent” champion Shin Lim, while he got a Queen of Hearts tattoo (which can be glimpsed during his televised performances).
As Mr. Frisch continued to research his article he became more and more involved with magic, learning card tricks and practicing sleight of hand. He was thoroughly surprised when Mr. Madison extended an invite to join the52 as the Two of Clubs. When expressing his reservations, Mr. Madison assured him that he had a role to play.
That role turned out to be “Magic Is Dead.” In this book we follow the author’s journey into this world and his growth as a practicing magician. He documents the ideas and philosophies of this new breed of performer, which are as wide and varied as their acts are. Some see magic as entertainment while others see it as performance art.
Like any good magic trick, there is much more going on in this book than is readily apparent. While the obvious through line of “Magic Is Dead” is a behind-the-scenes look at magic and the reveal of the52, it is also a skillful misdirection that allows him to introduce the reader to many other topics as well. He explores the history of magic and poker, through well-known names such as Houdini and David Copperfield, as well as lesser known but arguably more important figures such as Dai Vernon.
There is a survey of the literature of magic. Mr. Frisch reveals the secret of many tricks. It is an exploration of YouTube and internet culture and branding, focusing on how this has changed the business and presentation of magic. We see Mr. Frisch design a new card trick, step by step, until it is accepted and marketed by Ellusion, one of the largest magic act brokerages in the world. In one chapter he describes a meeting with Shaquille O’Neal where they discuss the loss of their fathers, and though this seems to be a complete diversion from everything else in the book, in terms of its humanity it may be the most magical thing he writes.
Most of the magicians encountered see what they do as a clean break from what has gone before. They are not as concerned with keeping the secrets of their trade, an idea that Penn and Teller have made a career of, but with continually pushing the bounds of human perception and deception. Audiences know there is a trick, but they want to be lied to. Well-performed magic makes us question our perceptions and gives us something that is sadly lacking in most of our day to day lives: a sense of awe.