Hello!
I hope you have been well and going through the difficult time with a hopeful and positive mindset. As of writing, it seems like the situation in Asia is getting slightly better and several other continents have been dampening down on the numbers too.
It has been a while since I have pen my thoughts on this space, and I thought I should document what has transpired in what we can now call an unusual time. This unusual time is filled with uncertainty, many events have been postponed indefinitely and most of them have been cancelled. This is a tough time for anyone in the events industry.
Making a difference in your own way
While the COVID19 situation has caused the world to go into a pause mode, we should look outward if we have the opportunity and privilege to do so. Rather than lamenting about the lack of events (hence income), I am certain there is something we can all do to spread positivity and hope.
I decided to pivot the resources I had to create mask hooks for frontline workers who had to wear mask over a long duration. The extended usage of the mask caused a numbing sensation behind the ears and these 3D Printed Hooks eases the discomfort. I have seen elderly stuffing tissue papers behind their ears to prevent such pain and decided that giving these away was the right thing to do.
I was very luckily that a local newspaper caught on to the story and gave me a feature, which in turn allowed a larger group of people to reach out to me.
Till date, I have sent over 250 pieces of mask hooks to nurses, frontline workers, delivery men and women, security guards, F&B staff and several others. It has been very fulfilling to be able to use the skills I had for my customization magic into a practical use in COVID19.
I think in times like these, rather than focusing on a “me” mentality, asking for likes and shares on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok, pushing and selling tickets to online performances or selling books that mass produced and changing only the cover, we should all strive to see what real difference we can make in the real world.
This is the reason why I decided to do something that diverges from my core expertise of magic.
My sentiments is summed by this quote I penned in my personal journal.
“While the light at the end of the tunnel may seem dim and distant, if we turn our light outwards, the journey there together will be illuminated and smoother”
Yours Truly
And that is why I have great respect for mentalist Tom Devoe (See article below) who is doing probono performances for frontliners rather than using his opportunity to make a quick buck.
Is magic still relevant in these times?
More than before, we are starting to consume much more content off the internet. While you can watch several of my iPad Magic footage here, I do not actively perform magic on online streaming platforms. I truly believe the core essence of magic is in its interactive and its ability to connect on a deeper level. While this is not impossible to do over a webcam, performing passively over Zoom or a video streaming channel serves no further participation than watching a prerecorded video on Youtube.
While I have done several shows that I do over the webcam (even prior to the COVID19 situation), it is highly interactive and participative where the audiences watching it plays a large role in pivoting and determining the course of the magic. I enjoy such a performance very much despite it being over a streaming portal.
I was featured on The New Paper and gave my honest thoughts on the situation. While I strongly believe there is room for magic in such difficult times, magicians should be very careful about how they craft their performance. There is nothing more boring than watching a performance that feels like it was pre-recorded, time and effort should be spent in crafting an experience rather than a passive demonstration of sleight of hand.
The Light at the end of the Tunnel
Working from home, practicing stringent hygiene, contract tracing is what we call the “New Normal”.
I think when it comes to entertainment, there is room for adaptation and even possibly creating something innovative because of the current situation.
My team and I are continuously working towards the goal of creating hope through our magic, and in the time to come, we will be more than ready to take on live performances when that happens.
In the meantime, stay home and stay safe!
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Alexander Y. is Asia’s Top iPad Magician, who has been invited performing in several countries such as Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, India. However due to COVID19, he has been working from home, reading and practising his magic. Hopefully the time will come soon when he can be performing in the real world live.
