Before
there was Mindfreak,
there was... David Blaine.
There
is definitely more than meets the eye when it comes to David Blaine...or
is there? Can
anyone do what he does? Is it really just a matter of learning
some tricks and practicing a lot?
Maybe
David
Blaine card tricks can be learned, but how do you learn how
to go without food for 44 days in a glass box hanging over a river?
Or bury yourself alive...or spending a week in a water tank?
Many
David Blaine critics think his biggest trick is getting the public
to react the way they do when he performs.
David Blaine - on one of his time-outs
while hanging upside down for "60 hours."
In
2003, his London
stunt earned him the nick-name "Biggest Loser" after
he survived 44 days with no food in a glass box. There was no
magic involved yet people were riveted.
What
is David Blaine up to next? How can he test his limits further?
It is amazing to see a card trick that is baffling, or ave a quarter
come from your ear. Levitating even an inch off the ground - or
swallowing a diamond and then making it come out of your eye -
go way beyond your basic magic tricks.
In
2008, Blaine announced plans to reenact
his New York drowning stunt on an episode of the Oprah
Winfrey show, which aired on April 30, 2008. With paramedics
standing by Blaine broke the world record for for breath-holding
17 minutes and 4 seconds fulfilling what he said
was "a lifelong dream."
In
September, Blaine staged another stunt involving hanging upside
down for several days suspended over New York's Central Park.
Critics accused the street magician of fraud when it was revealed
that during the 60-hour endurance test, some time-outs were taken
for stretches, meals, and bathroom breaks.
More
about David Blaine around the Web:
Street
Magic - David Blaine - Great site! Truly interesting trivia
on this mystery man we know as David Blaine, with a detailed history
of how he got started. Learn about David's techniques and how
to do them yourself, plus recent news and updates, pictures, video
clips.
David
Blaine.com - Official site to find out about upcoming
events and a link to his book. Interesting opening sketch, plus
lots more images in the picture gallery....
IMDB
- David Blaine - Basic info on David Blaine, what he has
become known for in a complete bio, and what he's up to now.
Magic
Directory - David Blaine
- Interested in who dated David Blaine? Who are his friends or
who has he performed for? Not to mention specific sections for
each stunt he has performed. All this plus other great info.