{"id":24717,"date":"2023-11-29T09:00:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T17:00:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/?p=24717"},"modified":"2023-11-24T10:41:35","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T18:41:35","slug":"illusionist-brings-magic-to-art-at-uvic-performance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nexusnewspaper.com\/newsite\/2023\/11\/29\/illusionist-brings-magic-to-art-at-uvic-performance\/","title":{"rendered":"Illusionist brings magic to art at UVic performance"},"content":{"rendered":"

For New Westminister-based illusionist Vitaly Beckman, the art of magic is exactly that: art. Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders<\/i> is an interactive magical performance that showcases visual art, aiming to engage and connect the audience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really about bringing art to life, I would say, and that includes art such as paintings, sculptures, and even photographs,\u201d says Beckman. \u201cMy goal is to inspire [the audience] and make them experience something profound and magical at the same time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Illusionist Vitaly Beckman will be performing at the University of Victoria on December 9 (photo provided).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Describing himself as a visual person, Beckman uses his craft to express an appreciation for the important role art plays in the human experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can call it visual poetry, what I do, I try to express myself visually… and create visuals that are striking and moving, and at the same time seem to defy the laws of physics,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Beckman\u2019s particular brand of magic tells stories and elicits emotions with illusions, a similarity that he feels extends to other performers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI also think that artists in general create illusions,\u201d he says. \u201cWe\u2019re using various mediums to create something that\u2019s not happening or to tell a story that\u2019s happening, but only in our minds.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A fundamental feature of his work is originality, with all illusions in the show invented from scratch, rather than adapted or updated versions of previously attempted material.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI really try and come up with something genuine as a form of expression and something that also hasn\u2019t been done before,\u201d he says. \u201cI feel that I have something to say with magic, I have something to innovate rather than just entertain… The foundation is to have something fresh and new to say with magic.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He is, however, inspired by other artists\u2019 work, such as films by his favourite director, Alfred Hitchcock.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is actually a very interesting correlation between mystery movies and magic because in both you have the suspense… and you\u2019re trying to uncover the layers of mystery in both,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Beckman invites his audience to get involved in the production for the full effect.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do encourage people to come up on stage or just to participate from their own seat… The idea behind the interaction is that they\u2019re not just watching it on stage but they\u2019re actually experiencing it personally.\u201d<\/p>\n

This participation is likely one of the reasons that Beckman\u2019s happy to be back in front of a live audience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll of us within this industry are so grateful to be back to perform for live audiences. I think it\u2019s key\u2014people have to experience theatre in person,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful; I hope it continues.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Having brought this show to audiences in many parts of the world, including recent American and upcoming Caribbean tours, Beckman says it will be enjoyed by all ages (although it is targeted at those eight years old and up).<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s one of those rare instances where it crosses the age barrier, as well as language barrier. That\u2019s what\u2019s lovely to perform for international audiences as well, and it\u2019s so visual people really relate to it almost no matter what age they are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Highlighting the unifying aspects of magic is important to Beckman.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hoping that the show connects all of us to our humanity and creativity more… and declutter from all the technology we\u2019re surrounded by day by day,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s so important to get back to our childlike sense of wonder that we all possess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders
\n<\/i>7 pm Saturday, December 9
\nVarious prices, Farquhar Auditorium, UVic
\nuvic.ca\/farquhar<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For New Westminister-based illusionist Vitaly Beckman, the art of magic is exactly that: art. Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders is an interactive magical performance that showcases visual art, aiming to engage and connect the audience.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s really about bringing art to life, I would say, and that includes art such as paintings, sculptures, and even […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24718,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,301],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts","category-november-29-2023"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t