Origami Magic Illusion
Sanny Olafeso
Origami is a magic stage illusion with a Japanese paperfolding theme, designed by Jim Steinmeyer. It was originally performed in 1986 by Canadian illusionist Doug Henning, using a working prop constructed by illusion builder John Gaughan. Illusionist David Copperfield later introduced presentational changes that would be widely copied by other performers.
Of course, at that time, I had no understanding how popular or how imitated this illusion would become. For the record, there are no "plans" for the illusion; I've always licensed it through specific associates and the illusion is protected by US patent. This hasn't prevented some magicians from building, selling and performing embarrassing and inferior versions of it. And it hasn't stopped magicians from performing it when they never really understood it. But I try to remind myself that imitation, even poor imitation, is the sincerest form of flattery.
In the original presentation, Henning displays a small box, 12 inches square and decorated with Japanese-style prints, on top of a thin table. He explains that the box is held together by two ivory skewers and a wooden pole.
At this point, a male assistant appears on stage carrying a large mirror, which is mounted at the rear of the table and reflects the back of the box. Henning explains that the purpose of the mirror is to allow the audience to see the routine from the back. The ivory skewers and wooden pole are now removed from the box and placed against the mirror.
Henning tells the audience that the Origami Box is so named because it "unfolds, like an Origami work of art." He proceeds to unfold the box into a larger orange and black box. He further explains that the box holds just as much when it is folded down small as when it is opened up large. To demonstrate, a female assistant wearing a turquoise costume appears on stage and climbs into the box. Henning points out that she barely fits inside the larger box; and then proceeds to fold the box down into its original smaller size. As he does so, he recites a short poem:
The female assistant has disappeared from the table and it seems impossible that she can be inside the 12-inch box. Henning now takes the ivory skewers and wooden pole and inserts them back into the box, cross ways, length ways, and vertically. He now rotates the table, showing the back for the first time. There is no sign of the assistant.
Henning jokes that, the next time they travel, he will take his assistant as carry-on luggage. He now tells the audience that the Japanese believe that whatever can be folded can also be unfolded. As he does so, he begins to unfold the box, and recites the rest of the poem:
David Copperfield introduced a number of presentational changes to Origami in 1989, devised by his choreographer, co-director and on-stage assistant Joanie Spina. The choreography, background music and presentational patter used in this version have all since been widely copied by other performers.[2]
Copperfield displays a red box, around 12 inches square, on a thin table. It is penetrated by three Samurai swords - "side to side, front to back, and even from top to bottom." A male assistant mounts a mirror at the back of the table, and Copperfield explains that this enables the audience to "see the box from around the sides and from the back at all times."
The lights are extinguished, leaving the stage in darkness. A musical soundtrack of Peter Gabriel's "Mercy Street" plays. The lighting is slowly restored to reveal Copperfield, in silhouette, holding one of the Samurai swords. Behind him, a female assistant clothed in red is seen, sitting on the stage floor. Copperfield removes each of the swords from the box with a flourish and mounts them on a nearby rack, before unfolding the box to its expanded state. The larger box is white.
Copperfield moves across to the female assistant, takes her hand and lifts her to her feet. The two embrace briefly, to the tempo of the music, and she then steps up onto the table. The two embrace again. The assistant then steps into the box, which Copperfield then folds back into a 12-inch cube. He takes each sword in turn, with a flourish, and stabs them through slits in the center of each face of the box; the first from front to back, the second from side to side, and then stands on the table to insert the third sword from top to bottom. He now rotates the table full circle to show all sides.
Then he removes the swords, unfolds the box once again to its full size, and the assistant steps out onto the table unharmed. She is now wearing a white costume, matching the expanded box. Copperfield lifts her from the table and they embrace one last time as the lights are dimmed.
Illusionist Greg Frewin developed a version of Origami in which a black cloth is placed over the mirror; the mirror is then broken and three of the broken shards are used to penetrate the box. Finally, the mirror is restored.[3]
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In "Origami Magic", paper-folding experts Steve and Megumi Biddle show how paper and cardboard can create the kind of magic that professional magicians often perform, without any need for expensive or hard-to-find materials. This exciting book is packed with amazing projects that will baffle and entertain any audience. As well as giving clear instructions to help you put the magic models together, the authors divulge their secrets so you can perform these tricks, puzzles and illusions as the professionals do! Paper folding already has a certain magic about it - the very fact that a model so complex (or delightfully simple) can be created from a piece of paper is magic in itself. People assume it cannot be done - the paper folder, like the magician, performs the impossible; sometimes, as in magic, with surprising results. The models are presented in four groups: Amazing Tricks, Perplexing Puzzles, Impossible Illusions, and Crafty Cuts and Tricky Tears. From the somersaulting Tumbler to the Magic Tipper (watch it slowly tip up before your very eyes!), and from the Inside-out Puzzle to the Magic Wallet (stare in amazement as your banknote disappears - only to reappear moments later!) , there are tricks here to astound, amaze and amuse young and old alike.
Presto!--Before your eyes, you have the Origami Magic Kit! But don't wait too long, it may just disappear. Inspired by world-famous magician and paper folder, Harry Houdini, the Origami Magic Kit will demystify the hidden secrets of paper folding and teach you how to become a master of impossible illusion, amazing tricks and perplexing puzzles. Prepare to astound your friends and family in no time at all as you perform stunts like Houdini himself--all through the magic of origami! Use it to craft eye-catching origami for your friends, to beautify your home--or as a wonderful gift for paper craft lovers. All of the folds are simple enough to be origami-for-kids projects and are a great way to learn origami. None of the projects require paint or glue so just grab some origami paper and start folding right away! This origami kit includes:
- 80 page, full-color origami booklet
- Step-by-step instructions
- Colorful diagrams and pictures
- Paper folding guide and tips
- 17 easy origami projects
- 60 quality origami papers
- DVD with expert folding lessons
- Zig-Zag Alien
- Magic Tipper
- The Magic Wallet
- Inside-Out Puzzle
- Lucky Stars
- And many more...
Megumi Biddle is a graphic artist, designer and illustrator with a long-standing interest in papercrafts and doll-making. She is also a highly skilled silhouette artist and has cut out the profiles of many well-known celebrities. Steve and Megumi have performed their "Paper Magic" act across the world, having performed in Europe, Australia, the United States and Japan. They are the authors of Origami Inspired by Japanese Prints from the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Flash paper, or nitrocellulose, is very thin paper that has been specially treated with specific chemicals to make it, literally, vanish in flames. As the paper is lit, the fire consumes the paper leaving nothing but a tiny bit of ash behind.
All the magic books say there is no safe way to use flash paper. And yes, people have died using flash paper. You will be running a risk each and every time you ignite some, but there are ways to minimize that risk and keep as safe as possible.
If you use a secret flash ignition device, no one will expect a sudden flash of fire. This surprise can be used as misdirection as we wrote above, but also to change the tone, or feeling of your performance.
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