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David Copperfield on the Enemies of Art David Copperfield on the Enemies of Art
(about 11 hours later)
In 2012, a man in Saudi Arabia was executed for practicing witchcraft; last year, guest workers were put on trial in Saudi Arabia for “witchcraft and sorcery”; already this year, reports surfaced of the Islamic State’s having beheaded a street magician in Syria; and, of course there was the attack in Paris on Charlie Hebdo.In 2012, a man in Saudi Arabia was executed for practicing witchcraft; last year, guest workers were put on trial in Saudi Arabia for “witchcraft and sorcery”; already this year, reports surfaced of the Islamic State’s having beheaded a street magician in Syria; and, of course there was the attack in Paris on Charlie Hebdo.
The most recent events overshadowed North Korea’s Christmastime hacking of Sony over “The Interview.” Yet the people who hacked Sony, the men who reportedly murdered the magician, and the terrorists in Paris all share a hatred of free speech and democracy. They also share the wrongheaded belief that brutality and force can suppress the human spirit and its inevitable expression through art. They’re fighting a losing battle.The most recent events overshadowed North Korea’s Christmastime hacking of Sony over “The Interview.” Yet the people who hacked Sony, the men who reportedly murdered the magician, and the terrorists in Paris all share a hatred of free speech and democracy. They also share the wrongheaded belief that brutality and force can suppress the human spirit and its inevitable expression through art. They’re fighting a losing battle.
As a magician and a student of magic history, I can attest that magic has often run afoul of zealots. I have numerous copies of “The Discoverie of Witchcraft.” It was written in 1584 to show that what people thought was the devil’s work was sleight of hand. King James I wasn’t persuaded. He ordered every copy burned. His suppressive efforts failed. In an era when books were hard to print, hundreds of copies came to be produced. An obscure title became a hot item.As a magician and a student of magic history, I can attest that magic has often run afoul of zealots. I have numerous copies of “The Discoverie of Witchcraft.” It was written in 1584 to show that what people thought was the devil’s work was sleight of hand. King James I wasn’t persuaded. He ordered every copy burned. His suppressive efforts failed. In an era when books were hard to print, hundreds of copies came to be produced. An obscure title became a hot item.
As they say in the movie business, cut to:As they say in the movie business, cut to:
Moscow, mid-1980s. I’m performing. The Russian Orthodox Church claims that my show is anti-religion. Picket lines form outside the theater. Moscow, mid-1990s. I’m performing. The Russian Orthodox Church claims that my show is anti-religion. Picket lines form outside the theater.
Now, my show has never had a political or religious element; its ideology is “live your dreams.” That’s as “messagey” as I get.Now, my show has never had a political or religious element; its ideology is “live your dreams.” That’s as “messagey” as I get.
Boris N. Yeltsin invites me to the Kremlin. When I arrive, who’s there but the patriarch, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Through interpreters we talk, we hang, titles and official roles fading as the night (and the vodka) wears on. At the end of night, the patriarch smiles and gives me the thumbs up. We’d started as strangers, suspicious of each other, and ended as pals. He realized I’m not Satan’s emissary, just a hard-working guy from New Jersey, as controversial (and, I hope, as entertaining) as a Cole Porter melody.Boris N. Yeltsin invites me to the Kremlin. When I arrive, who’s there but the patriarch, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church. Through interpreters we talk, we hang, titles and official roles fading as the night (and the vodka) wears on. At the end of night, the patriarch smiles and gives me the thumbs up. We’d started as strangers, suspicious of each other, and ended as pals. He realized I’m not Satan’s emissary, just a hard-working guy from New Jersey, as controversial (and, I hope, as entertaining) as a Cole Porter melody.
Meanwhile, the controversy from the picketing led to sold-out shows and tickets scalped for unbelievable prices.Meanwhile, the controversy from the picketing led to sold-out shows and tickets scalped for unbelievable prices.
The creators of Charlie Hebdo and “The Interview” were satirists. But the people accused of sorcery and witchcraft, and executed for it, were not. And magicians? They are entertainers, their message simply “watch and enjoy.” Anyone who would kill someone like that fears and loathes the human spirit’s irrepressibility, and the tendency of people to unify around experiences that bring delight. Which is something art and artists tend to make happen. People in the hate business need an “us” and a “them.” Without an enemy, they can’t function.The creators of Charlie Hebdo and “The Interview” were satirists. But the people accused of sorcery and witchcraft, and executed for it, were not. And magicians? They are entertainers, their message simply “watch and enjoy.” Anyone who would kill someone like that fears and loathes the human spirit’s irrepressibility, and the tendency of people to unify around experiences that bring delight. Which is something art and artists tend to make happen. People in the hate business need an “us” and a “them.” Without an enemy, they can’t function.
During my show I talk a lot with the audience. I find out where people are from. This very year I’ve seen Israelis and Palestinians, Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants, standing alongside one another, smiling, applauding. Sometimes I’ve had Orthodox Jews and Muslim clerics participating onstage together in one of my illusions. For 90 minutes, divisions dissolve, peace and friendship reign.During my show I talk a lot with the audience. I find out where people are from. This very year I’ve seen Israelis and Palestinians, Irish Catholics and Irish Protestants, standing alongside one another, smiling, applauding. Sometimes I’ve had Orthodox Jews and Muslim clerics participating onstage together in one of my illusions. For 90 minutes, divisions dissolve, peace and friendship reign.
My fellow artists and I are here to create, if only for an hour or two, a concord among every member of the audience. Art has the ability to unite people into a collective mind. That’s the real magic, what those in the hate business can’t countenance.My fellow artists and I are here to create, if only for an hour or two, a concord among every member of the audience. Art has the ability to unite people into a collective mind. That’s the real magic, what those in the hate business can’t countenance.
The would-be suppressors in the world haven’t learned that suppression, fortunately, is counterproductive. Charlie Hebdo is more popular than ever. “The Interview” got exposure the world’s greatest publicist couldn’t have dreamed of. Undoubtedly it’s a matter of time before magic returns to Syria, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, tenfold.The would-be suppressors in the world haven’t learned that suppression, fortunately, is counterproductive. Charlie Hebdo is more popular than ever. “The Interview” got exposure the world’s greatest publicist couldn’t have dreamed of. Undoubtedly it’s a matter of time before magic returns to Syria, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere, tenfold.
Meanwhile, those of us in the entertainment business have a duty to vanish the idea that there’s an “us” and a “them.” When audiences unite in joy and wonder, you realize that the key isn’t the suspension of disbelief, but the suspension of divisive beliefs.Meanwhile, those of us in the entertainment business have a duty to vanish the idea that there’s an “us” and a “them.” When audiences unite in joy and wonder, you realize that the key isn’t the suspension of disbelief, but the suspension of divisive beliefs.
If it can happen for 90 minutes during my show, it can happen forever.If it can happen for 90 minutes during my show, it can happen forever.
David Copperfield is an illusionist.David Copperfield is an illusionist.