At Fotografiska, an art gallery in Stockholm, visitors have been captivated by the magic of Christian Tagliavini's photography exhibition. Tagliavini, an Italian-born photographer and artist, is known for his highly staged and deeply narrative photographs. Entering the exhibition, visitors are immediately transported into a world of enchantment. The photographs, meticulously composed and presented, depict scenes that are reminiscent of classic fairy tales and historical periods. Each image tells a story, inviting viewers to delve into a world of imagination and wonder. Tagliavini's use of color and lighting is masterful, adding depth and richness to his images.
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Tagliavini's use of color and lighting is masterful, adding depth and richness to his images. The careful attention to detail, evident in every aspect of his work, draws viewers into a realm where reality and fantasy intertwine. His subjects, beautifully adorned in costumes and accessories, take on an otherworldly shape, evoking a sense of mystery and magic.
Dan White continues to wow with perfectly executed illusions and mind-blowing mentalism
There are even a few card tricks in the mix — but likely not the ones you're used too The Magician June 16, 2023 9:17 amAmanda is InsideHook’s Senior Editor and has been writing about food, drinks, travel and style for 16 years. She’s written for Travel + Leisure, Eater, Gear Patrol and New York Magazine among other outlets.
“I see this show two times a night, every night, and I’m still amazed — every time,” said an usher as I was expressing my own amazement at the spectacle I’d just witnessed. We were talking about The Magician, a show that integrates multiple types of magic into one 90-minute performance. And the amazement of the still-awestruck people working on the show certainly wasn’t lost on me — this was my third time seeing the performance, and I still can’t wrap my mind around how Dan White, the magician in question, does it.
White started his show in 2015 at The NoMad Hotel in New York, which enjoyed a five-year run. When the pandemic hit, White quickly pivoted to a virtual show, which he still offers in addition to a limited-run performance at the Fotografiska New York. While the virtual show is incredible (I was lucky enough to catch it during those lockdown days), seeing it in person is nothing short of extraordinary.
This is the kind of New York show I live for. The invite encourages guests to dress up (which I wholeheartedly welcome), but the mix of locals and tourists definitely has different ideas of what that means. Regardless, the atmosphere of The Magician brings a glamorous, old New York feel that seems few and far between these days. Each pair of chairs has a small cocktail table between them, topped with a bowl of popcorn for nibbling. There’s a bespoke cocktail menu, but the bar can make you virtually any classic — I opted for a Manhattan, which is always my go-to for a seated performance like this. Wine and beer are also available, and you can order everything at the beginning of the show so a second beverage magically appears at intermission (my favorite king of magic). A small snack menu is also available.
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Burlesque or burlesque not. There is no try.Upon entering, each attendee is given four playing cards for a trick that’s performed later in the show. I experienced this particular feat during all three performances I saw, and I was still so amazed the third time that I kept said cards as a souvenir. A few other card tricks are placed throughout the act — which are probably far more complicated than the ones you’re used to seeing — and each one elicited a gasp from this wide-eyed attendee.
While most people in the audience were equally as amused as me, there was one guy sitting behind me that was trying to explain the illusions to his companion, inferring that White’s magic could be broken down by the common eye. My husband and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes every so often because this guy probably couldn’t pull off a pre-packaged children’s magic trick, but White was unperturbed by his skepticism. Because by the end of the show, the annoying guy behind us was the participant in the show’s most impressive trick, and he finally gave into a round of applause, too stunned by White’s talent and virtuosity.
I can’t go into much detail about the illusions we experienced because that would spoil the fun for all of you, who should absolutely go see the show. But I can say that if you do go, you should definitely volunteer to help White with his various illusions and mentalism tricks when he asks for audience participation. My husband was part of a mind-blowing act involving his birthday, and I got to participate in one that amazed me the most from seeing the show previously. White carried a stack of books through the audience, one of them being Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. As people were raising their hands to volunteer, he asked if anyone had actually read the book, and I couldn’t resist this request. I can’t for the life of me figure out how he pulled off that act, and I probably never will. But that’s what makes magic magic, right?
There are a lot of good magic shows out there, but White’s charismatic approach and absolute effortlessness makes The Magician one of the best performances in NYC. A ticket also includes admission to Fotografiska, so go see the show, check out the museum’s photography exhibits and make a dinner reservation at on-site restaurant Verōnika for the perfect New York night.
There are still a number of tickets available for The Magician’s June and July shows, which can be purchased here.
The magician at fotografiska
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One of the striking aspects of Tagliavini's photography is his ability to capture emotions and portray complex characters. Each photograph exudes a sense of personality, allowing viewers to connect with the subjects on a deep, emotional level. Whether it is a sense of longing, joy, or sadness, the emotions are palpable, bringing the images to life. The magician behind this captivating exhibition, Christian Tagliavini, brings his own unique blend of artistry and storytelling to Fotografiska. His ability to transport viewers to another time and place is truly remarkable. The exhibition is a testament to the power of photography as a medium to ignite the imagination and ignite emotions. In conclusion, the magician at Fotografiska, Christian Tagliavini, has created a world of enchantment within the walls of the art gallery. His highly staged and deeply narrative photographs invite viewers on a journey of imagination and wonder. Through his masterful use of color, lighting, and attention to detail, Tagliavini captures the essence of each scene, evoking emotions and bringing his subjects to life. This exhibition is a testament to the power of photography as a medium to transport and captivate its viewers..
Reviews for "The Power of Perception: The Magician's Perspective at Fotografiska"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to see "The magician at fotografiska" based on the positive reviews I had read, but I left feeling disappointed. The performance felt lacking in originality and creativity. The tricks were predictable and didn't leave me in awe. Additionally, the magician's stage presence was underwhelming, and I found it difficult to engage with the performance. Overall, I expected more from this show and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star - I had high expectations for "The magician at fotografiska" but found it to be a complete waste of time and money. The tricks performed were basic and lacked innovation. It felt like I was watching a beginner magician rather than someone at the top of their game. The show failed to captivate the audience, and I was left feeling bored and unimpressed. I would advise anyone considering seeing this show to save their money and attend a different magic performance instead.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had heard so much hype about "The magician at fotografiska" that I was really looking forward to it. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The tricks were repetitive, and I felt like I had seen them all before. The magician's delivery lacked charisma and excitement, which made it hard to stay engaged throughout the performance. While it wasn't the worst show I've seen, I definitely wouldn't recommend it to fellow magic enthusiasts. There are much more captivating and awe-inspiring magic acts out there.