Ebook - Gabi Pareras - Through the Looking Glass (Digital Download)

Dive into the profound intellectual world of Gabi Pareras with 'Through the Looking Glass,' a seminal ebook offering a meticulously refined collection of his acclaimed lecture notes. Originally prepared for the Buffalo Get Together in 2014 and expertly re-edited for The Session 2016, this digital download is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of magic beyond mere mechanics. Pareras, renowned for his insightful contributions to magic theory, unpacks complex ideas, inviting readers to explore the intricate relationship between performer, spectator, and the very essence of the magical experience. Each of the three parts is built upon a previously written theoretical article, now thoughtfully reworked to provide unparalleled clarity and impact, making abstract concepts readily accessible and profoundly engaging.

Part I: The Prestidigitator and the Magic Self

This foundational section delves into 'APPROACHING 'FICTIONAL MAGIC',' examining how performers craft believable illusions and internalize their magical persona. Pareras meticulously dissects 'the Artistic communicative process,' revealing the subtle dynamics at play when a magician connects with their audience. This part also features a practical routine, 'I have as much as you,' offering a concrete example of Pareras's theoretical framework in action, bridging abstract thought with tangible performance.

Part II: The Spectator and the Audience

Shifting focus to the audience, 'EDUCATING THE SPECTATOR’S GAZE' explores how spectators perceive and interpret magic. Pareras introduces fascinating concepts like Arturo de Ascanio's 'Sliding Gaze,' a critical tool for understanding visual direction and misdirection. Further discussions include 'Formal Design,' which emphasizes the structural beauty of a magic act, and 'the Waiter Theory,' offering unique insights into managing audience expectations and reactions, shaping their experience from start to finish.

Part III: The Magic and the Magic Act

The concluding section, 'BEYOND 'THE METHOD',' ventures into the philosophical heart of magic. Here, Pareras challenges conventional thinking, exploring 'TWO SUBJECTIVITIES'—the performer's and the spectator's—and their interplay. He profoundly distinguishes between 'TRICK VS MAGIC,' urging readers to transcend mere mechanics and seek the deeper, transformative power of the art. This part concludes with incisive reflections on the true nature of the magic experience and the indelible impact it leaves on the spectator, solidifying 'Through the Looking Glass' as an essential read for any serious student or practitioner of magic.

Original Specs

These lecture notes were prepared for Gabi’s participation at Buffalo Get Together in October 2014, a year later they were re-edited in a more suitable format for The Session 2016 where Gabi delivered a lecture.

There notes are divided in three parts, each of them is based on theoretical article previously written by Gabi that that was rewritten for the occasion.

PART I: THE PRESTIDIGITATOR AND THE MAGIC SELF

Text: “APPROACHING “FICTIONAL MAGIC”

Featuring “the Artistic communicative process” and the routine “I have as much as you”

PART II: THE SPECTATOR AND THE AUDIENCE

Text: “EDUCATING THE SPECTATOR’S GAZE”

Featuring Arturo de Ascanio’s “Sliding Gaze”, “Formal Design” and “the Waiter Theory”

PART III: THE MAGIC AND THE MAGIC ACT

Text “BEYOND” THE METHOD”

Featuring “TWO SUBJECTIVITIES”, “TRICK VS MAGIC” and reflections about the magic experience and the spectator