Abstract

This manifesto acts as a provocation, an offering and definition for new ways to think about and discuss performance magic in the contemporary performance landscape. Tom Cassani is a performance maker, researcher and writer working across Live Art, Performance Art, Contemporary Theatre and Circus. This manifesto emerges from the authors ongoing research into broader applications, intersections and explorations of performance magic. Cassani’s practice is a collision of performance magic, body-based practice, circus sideshow disciplines and Live Art/Performance Art. Cassani's work emerges amongst a rich and eclectic array of other artists who work with magic in novel, interdisciplinary and experimental ways. Cassani’s academic research focuses on refining and consolidating the articulation of his own practice and others that use performance magic outside of a traditional frame. This manifesto is part of that articulation and is offered in order to be used, transformed, re-written, cut in half, challenged, torn and restored.

Keywords

Expanded practice, Expanded field, Performance, Performance Art, Performance Magic, Magic, Live Art, Contemporary Theatre, Body-Based, Manifesto, Authenticity, Deception, Magician, Performance Artist, Durational Performance

How to Cite