Art Trivia by David Jonathan & Nikolas Mavresis

Created by: David Jonathan, Nikolas Mavresis

Art Trivia by David Jonathan & Nikolas Mavresis is a lighthearted and engaging close-up magic trick that revolves around famous paintings. The performer presents five envelopes, each containing a card depicting a famous painting. The audience is challenged to identify which envelope contains the fake painting. The twist reveals that all but one of the paintings are comical parodies, with the remaining card being the genuine article. This trick is suitable for a wide range of audiences, including children, and focuses on presentation over complex sleight of hand.

Key features

  • Includes five high-quality envelopes with window fronts and ten Bicycle-branded cards.

  • Comes with a concise tutorial under 25 minutes.

  • Portable and easy to carry, making it ideal for performers on the go.

  • Leverages a familiar theme (famous paintings) for broad appeal.

  • Simple method allows performers to focus on presentation.

  • Suitable for a wide range of audiences, including children.

Pros

  • Fun and lighthearted, making it enjoyable for both performer and audience.

  • High-quality props that are durable and well-made.

  • Easy to perform with minimal setup and reset.

  • Engaging twist that surprises and delights the audience.

  • Broad appeal, suitable for various types of audiences.

Cons

  • Requires attention to angles during performance to maintain the illusion.

  • Reset in front of the audience is possible but not recommended for maintaining the effect's integrity.

Effect

Art Trivia by David Jonathan and Nikolas Mavresis is a lighthearted and humorous magic trick centered around famous paintings. The performer presents five envelopes, each containing a card depicting a well-known artwork. The audience is asked to guess which painting is inside each envelope. After some interaction, they are challenged to identify the "fake" painting among the set. The twist comes when it is revealed that all but one of the paintings are comically exaggerated parodies, while the chosen one remains the genuine article. The surprise ending creates a fun and engaging moment for spectators.

Full Details

The trick includes five high-quality envelopes with windows, allowing a glimpse of the paintings inside. Each envelope contains a card featuring a famous artwork, such as the Mona Lisa or The Scream. The set also includes ten Bicycle-branded cards, ensuring durability. The routine is structured to build anticipation, leading to a humorous reveal where most paintings turn out to be absurd versions of the originals.

The tutorial is concise, under 25 minutes, and covers handling, presentation, and resetting. The method is straightforward, relying more on presentation than complex sleight of hand. Performers must be mindful of angles when handling the envelopes to maintain the illusion.

Who Should Consider the Trick

Art Trivia is ideal for magicians who enjoy interactive, comedy-based magic. It works well for family shows, close-up performances, and casual settings. The routine is accessible to beginners but can also be a fun addition for experienced performers looking for a quick, engaging effect.

Difficulty

The trick is easy to learn and perform. No advanced sleight of hand is required, making it suitable for beginners. The main challenge is managing angles when handling the envelopes. Experienced performers will appreciate the simplicity, allowing them to focus on presentation and audience interaction.

What Magicians Say

Nique Tan describes Art Trivia as "fun, lighthearted, and easy to perform." He praises the quality of the props and the routine's humorous twist, calling it "a nice kicker at the end." He notes that the method is simple, allowing performers to concentrate on engaging their audience.

Tan also highlights the trick's broad appeal, stating it works well for children and adults. He advises keeping the envelopes discreetly angled during handling to maintain the illusion. Overall, he recommends Art Trivia as a worthwhile addition to any magician's repertoire.

What people are saying about Art Trivia by David Jonathan & Nikolas Mavresis

Nique Tan says...

I like this quite a bit... it's a really fun piece to perform and it's easy to carry around as well. It's got an interesting theme and a little twist at the end which I quite like.

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