Arturo de Ascanio: ases con amor

“Ases con amor” (Aces with love) is Arturo de Ascanio's take on Dai Vernon's classic premise in "Slow-motion aces" (published in “Stars of magic” in 1950). This video tries to replicate the exact handling of “Ases con amor” as described in “La magia de Ascanio; estudios de cartomagia; sus favoritos” (chapter 7, page 221 in the original printing and page 207 in the English printing).

While the videos on this channel are an homage to Ascanio’s magic, they shouldn’t be taken as performing standards. They only try to replicate Arturo’s handling as close as possible. However, since magic relies heavily on the particular socio-cultural context (both individually and collectively), we should take into account Arturo’s environment (his personality, being amateur, educated and connoisseur, performing for cultivated laypeople, living in a period with other cultural values, et cetera). In short: Arturo’s context is different from today's.

That’s why his baroque (for today’s standards) handlings feel out of context. Imagine performing any effect exactly as done by Hofzinser or Robert Houdin: it would probably feel odd. There is no doubt that one can learn techniques and specific handlings from Arturo in order to incorporate them to other tricks, but the biggest lessons one can extract from Arturo’s magic come from understanding the reason and purpose behind the handling. It’s true that there are many “culebreos” and displays, but why? What was he trying to accomplish? Why did he think that was the best way of performing the effect? What idea did he want to implant on the audience's mind?...

More thoughts here:
http://www.genii.somee.com/magic.html...

Timecodes:
0:00 | Intro
0:14 | Layout sequence
2:30 | First ace transposition
3:38 | Second ace transpostion
4:41 | Third ace transposition
5:53 | Quote
6:13 | Credits
6:28 | End screen

Music by Peter Kater: 2011 new year’s eve 2nd improvisation.
   • Peter Kater - A second New Years Eve ...  

#ArturoDeAscanio #CardMagic #SleightOfHand #arthurits