I AM DANIEL MADISON
MAGIC is DEADPosted by Daniel Madison 02 Oct, 2009 03:23PM
Welcome all to my blog and thank you much for caring. I’ve always wanted to do something like this but never really had the time or cared enough to talk about the ventures I found myself involved in; which sadly all took part within the magic industry. However, since hanging up my metaphorical cape and wand, I have rediscovered that which first amazed and enthralled me about what I do and my love, addiction, obsession with a deck of playing cards has been given a new thirst for deception.
Before I babble and spit happy I will do that which is only correct and begin this blog by letting you know who I am, where I come from and what I do.
At 18 years of age and after 3 years of playing the part of a budding conman I almost lost my life after a careless sleight at an illegal poker game was spotted by an opponent. That night dealt me both the biggest lesson I ever learnt and the most sincere beating of my life. After waking in hospital a few weeks later, my memory slowly returned and my fear forced me to make my way home in the early hours of the morning in an electric wheelchair. For six months I could not walk, for a year I never left the house.
During my ‘hermit’ year I decided to redirect my obsession with deception from an illegal circuit to the magic industry; a place where I could continue my playing card fixation and also earn a living. I spent ten years in the industry; I released 3 DVD’s, 21 Books and 14 Video Downloads, all teaching sleight of hand, magic and playing card manipulation. I released these products not only to pay the bills but also to send a message that magic didn’t have to be as patronizing or cheesy as the magic industry dictates. It took me those ten years to realize that I was fighting a pointless battle for an art, which my heart could not commit to for the simple reason that it was all a big lie. I was only fascinated by the skill and deception, not the ruse that covered and hid the true art of the performer. It is the magicians’ job to convince his audience of his lie, which reminds me of a meaningful quote from W.Snipes… “some mother fuckers are always trying to ice-skate uphill.”
Having commit metaphorical magical-suicide I have found myself back where I should have always been, in study and practice of pure deception at the card table; pure sleight of hand with a finger dipping in pots of con artistry and cardistry… My obsessions and addictions are with the skill and devious acts of confidence art and not magical acts of magical bollocks. My time in magic served me well and I learnt many important lessons, and I am grateful for it leading me to where I am today.
I plan to use this platform to share my thoughts on deception, artifice, subterfuge, trickery, crooked gambling & sleight of hand with a deck of playing cards in the real world and in performance.
I am Daniel Madison, welcome to my blog.
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