Card tricks are not only a staple of every magician's repertoire; they also tend to create a stronger connection between people and the performer. It's their impressive motor skill against our attentional blindness, and in most cases, the magician or illusionist comes out ahead. But what if we watch the moves in slow motion? What happens when the magic isn't in the trick itself, but in the sublime art of card manipulation? That's exactly what the folks at Virtuoso demonstrate in an extraordinary video called "Liquid Paper".
What Is Cardistry?
The English term for this practice is "cardistry". Unfortunately, there isn't a perfect translation (some place it under the umbrella of "cartomagia"), but it refers to an artistic expression based on card manipulation. When a magician performs a card trick, they try to be fast, conceal their movements, distract the observer, and break their attention so the illusion takes shape. Cardistry masters go in the opposite direction: the trick isn't about hiding cards but about showing what can be done with them. Extravagant moves, almost impossible combinations, fingers that seem to have a mind of their own. Magic in motion—"liquid paper", so to speak.
Can you recognize any of these tricks, or even reproduce them? If not, don't worry—I'm in the same boat. Fortunately, the folks at Virtuoso listed all the tricks in the video description, along with the exact moments they appear and the responsible artist. Another fascinating detail is that many magicians consider the presence of a white border on the back of the cards vital for certain tricks, as it helps maintain the 'stealth' of their movements. But the video doesn't focus on that; instead, it serves as a promotion for the new Virtuoso SS16 deck. It's clear that the back of these cards has no white border, yet we can't deny that their design adds a certain 'added value' to every trick.
Those interested in acquiring the new deck will need to register and wait for the notification. There's no official confirmation on the price, but a quick search on forums and Reddit points to a number between $28 and $30. Something tells me the design will be available in limited numbers, but if you want to start practicing, any deck should do.
