I love amazing people. I love dazzling them. That's why I think performing magic is one of the greatest things a person can do.
Ricky JayRead
Like every art form, there are jealousies and angers and competitiveness in magic. But there's camaraderie among magicians, whether you perform it for a living or you're an enthusiast.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Magic, like other art forms, has its competitive nature, but it also fosters a sense of community among practitioners.
In this quote, Ricky Jay highlights the duality present in the world of magic. While it is true that jealousy, anger, and competition exist among magicians, there is also a strong sense of camaraderie and support among them, regardless of whether they are professional performers or hobbyists. This underscores the idea that within artistic fields, the process of creation and shared appreciation can create bonds that transcend rivalry.
Themes
MagicArtCamaraderieCompetitionJealousy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech at a magic convention to emphasize the importance of community among magicians.
More from Ricky Jay
All quotes →Dai Vernon, the greatest sleight of hand figure in the history of the art, rarely performed. But he invented magic and had an enormous influence on the whole range of sleight of hand. And so often, the magic he was doing was to fool other magicians.
Ricky JayRead
I'm much more interested in lesser-known eccentrics and characters and performers. Like Matthew Buchinger, who was born in Germany in 1674, had no arms or legs and yet did magic, and had 14 kids, and made the most extraordinary calligraphy.
Ricky JayRead
For me, the most exciting thing is to create good magic that's entertaining for an audience, and it would be lovely if a magician was fooled as well.
Ricky JayRead
I grew up like Athena — covered with playing cards instead of armor — and, at the age of seven, materialized on a TV show, doing magic.
Ricky JayRead
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