Esplanade Presents: Elephant In The Room (Flipside 2019)

We just finished the first weekend of Flipside Festival in Esplanade and it was wonder!

Our Scratch Night performance called Elephant in the Room was well received by the lay audiences.

Here are screen grabs from that night:

This show can be described as cerebral and gestalt. Because if you look at the individual pieces, it might not make a lot of sense. Only when the show is over, and on hindsight, the full picture forms.

We are playing again this Friday (31st May) at 9,45pm at the Annexe Studio. See you there!

------------------

Alexander Y. is Asia’s Top iPad Magician, who has been invited performing in several countries such as Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, India. He is known for his storytelling and magic, allowing him to not just capture the eyes of the audience, but also their hearts. In his (little to negligible) free time, he enjoys films by Christopher Nolan, Spike Jones and Makoto Shinkai. The best feeling one can give is to give his/her audience the satisfaction of realization and everything is illuminated.

Want more information about Esplanade' Presents’ performances? Contact him at alexander@ipadmagician.org

Singapore Magic in Art's Spotlight: 2 Shows by Esplanade Presents (Flipside Festival 2019) [Details here]

It is not every day that magic gets feature in a prestigious Art venue like the Esplanade. Though I did a show a by the Esplanade Presents programme in 2015 (Virtual x Reality), it is truly a feat for us to do 2 shows under the Esplanade Presents feature! It was not easy to be able to convince Esplanade to feature magic.

As I have learnt they had many magicians apply for the same programme but most of them lack artistic rigor and look too similar to a dinner and dance programme.

My involvement in Arts Festivals and directing magic content allowed me to see magic in a different way. I see magic as a vehicle to move narratives and emotions. Moving beyond just entertainment, magic can truly mean more than just the giggles and laughs.

The shows, If You Can Imagine and Elephant in the Room are distinct pieces of magic show. Though they are both directed by me, they both have qualities that capture the hearts and minds.

If You Can Imagine (26th May & 2nd June: 6.30pm | 7.30pm @ Concourse)

If You Can Imagine is one of the projects I have been working on for many years. It always starts off with a simple idea and then it grew to a 30 minute performance. This show uses multiple iPads for the magic and storytelling to move a narrative about imagination.

Conceptualizing the show took me about 3 months and the programming itself took me 4 months. This is quite a technology intensive show. And I can assure that if you have not seen multiple iPad Magic and story telling, this is one show you do not want to miss!

Here are the details in brief:

Esplanade Presents: If You Can Imagine

Venue: Esplanade’s Concourse

Date and Time: 26th May and 2nd June (6.30pm and 7.30pm)

Elephant in the Room (24th May & 31st May: 9.45pm @ Annexe Studios)

One of the best lessons when I was an undergraduate psychology student was learning about information processing and that once a person learns a valuable information, it can never be unseen.

This forms the backbone of Elephant in the Room

My objective with this show was to craft a performance that can be experienced before, during and after the show. Valuable bits of information, hidden in plain sight, are planted throughout the show. And when the finale comes, it comes as a satisfying revelation.

Together with Anderson, we crafted this show to have an intellectual slant to it. The show itself has a variety of unorthodox magic pieces and even a viewing gallery before the show begins (which is part of the show)

Come by and experience the Elephant in the Room for yourself!

Here are the details in brief:

Esplanade Presents: Elephant in the Room

Venue: Esplanade’s Annexe Studios (Next to Outdoor Theatre)

Date and Time: 24th and 31st May (9.45pm. Come by early at 9.15 onwards for seating!)

———-

I really hope to see you guys there for an amazing and artful experience. This will not be just “another magic show”, this will truly be an experience for you.

------------------

Alexander Y. is Asia’s Top iPad Magician, who has been invited performing in several countries such as Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, India. He is known for his storytelling and magic, allowing him to not just capture the eyes of the audience, but also their hearts. In his (little to negligible) free time, he enjoys films by Christopher Nolan, Spike Jones and Makoto Shinkai. The best feeling one can give is to give his/her audience the satisfaction of realization and everything is illuminated.

Want more information about Esplanade' Presents’ performances? Contact him at alexander@ipadmagician.org

Designing a Customized Illusion Show: Singtel Mambo Jambo Retro Night

In November 2015, I had a brief discussion with Singtel on developing a show as part of their customer appreciation event that would be held in mid-to-late 2016.

The concept was finalized to be about nostalgia and reminiscing the past, witnessing how technology has evolved and how Singtel is at the forefront of this evolution.

Singtel also wanted to showcase their latest Mobile Threat Prevention service that blocks and removes malware in mobile devices. My skills in programming and iPad Magic allowed me to be able to showcase this with a visual simulation of the service.

With this in mind, my magic has to have the element of nostalgia without being old fashion. I designed 2 illusions to showcase various objects from the past. The first illusion was a prediction type effect where a spectator would think of a toy from the 80s and it would match my prediction. And the second illusion was to make a retro toy levitate in mid air.

Check out the video below:

The show progressed to a more modern feel where I borrow a spectator's phone and have it appear inside a Singtel case that has been on stage throughout.

The next segment was the Mobile Threat Prevention feature where I performed my brand of iPad Magic to showcase the effects of malware and the capabilities of the service.

While this was technically the last illusion feature of my show, I wanted to end with an illusion that would punctuate the show as well as show our appreciation to the clients.

For this routine, I made a wine bottle appear and then invited the VIPs to toast the audiences.

The whole process of designing, coding, rehearsing and manufacturing took about 4 months of hard work. But at the end of the night, when the audiences cheer with applause, you know it is worth it! 

Signing Off,

Alexander Yuen (iPad Magician) 

Magic Moments During a Wedding

"Anyone who is looking for a close up magician should look no further than Alexander Yuen. Alexander was hired for our wedding held at W Singapore Sentosa Cove. His unbelievable magic under our noses at dinner left everyone in awe by the seemingly impossible things which he was doing. He was professional and non-intrusive in his manner. I would have no hesitation in recommending Alexander to anyone wishing to hire his services. 

Thank you once again for your contribution in making the evening so enjoyable and memorable. I hope to find another occasion when we can experience your magic again!"

Best Regards

Wenchuan

Wedding dinner at W Hotel (Sentosa Cove)

 

There is a secret tune that would play in my mind every time I walk into a wedding dinner, getting ready to perform my magic.

It goes "Magic moments, when two hearts are caring....".

The classic song by Perry Como. Fell in love with it when I first heard it.

But this tune also serves as reminder, that I am at extremely privileged to be a part of the union of two loving hearts, and it is my job to create a magical experiences, not just for the couple, but also for those who are there to witness this joyous occasion.

Weddings typically consist of both, the eldest members of the families and the youngest members of the families. While I can speak fluent English and Mandarin, language might be a barrier when they speak only dialects. For these guests fortunately, I am able to convey my magic through the effective use of facial expressions, body language and eye gaze. These additional tools I've picked up from my theatre training have served me very well and allows me to engage all guests of different languages and cultures. 
 

At the end of the night, I play that tune again in my head, and I feel satisfied knowing that it is always, always a blessing to be a part of a union of love.

Congrats to Wenchuan and wife! Thank you for having me at your wedding at W Hotel, Sentosa Cove.
 

Signing off,

Alexander Y (Your Wedding Magic of Choice!)

-----

Keen to have me creating magic moments at your wedding? Drop me an email here:

info@metaillusions.com

I offer a 20 minute consultation at my office studio so that you can be sure that I am your magician of choice!

See you soon!sing

Singapore Magician at HP's DaaS Launch Activation

When it comes to customized magic, my motto is simple:

Don't Tell Them, Show Them.

Instead of adopting a one-way dialogue, I engage my audiences through magic. Using magical effects, I exemplify product features and showcase them to the audiences. Take a look at the diagram below, it might look very technical at first, but with sufficient thought, it can be simplified by magic.

For this HP DaaS activation, the objective of the performance was to:

1. Excite the staff about this new service that HP is offering
2. Educate them on the key features of the service
3. Quiz them on the services with prizes

The way I got around designing the magic was to first understand the brief and develop a script that is cogent. After that, I would think further about how I can show these concepts to the audiences. For example, the DaaS service allows quick and efficient disposal of HP's technological products at the end of the cycle, to showcase this, I make a deck of cards disappear in the hands of an audience member while reiterating the disposal component of DaaS. The training I have as a psychologist have helped me in such divergent thinking. This is something that needs to be improved in most Singapore magicians. 

Being a skilled professional who dresses well certainly made it easier for me to perform in this corporate environment. Since impressions are formed within the first few seconds of interaction, I made sure that I was well dressed and introduced myself with a pleasant demeanor. Of course, being able to perform amazing magic is a must.

With the help of an amazing team from PMG, we were able to quiz the staff and gave them prizes that were thematic to the activation.

In sum, it is not just enough to be able to perform strong magic in such environment. One must be able to understand reports and briefs, communicate effectively and engage audiences visually and intellectually.

The DaaS-ling team from HP!

Signing Off,

Alexander Y (Corporate Singapore Magician)

-----

Got a product or service to launch and be activated? Want someone to "Show your products instead of telling" them?

Let me help you with it!

Drop me an email at info@metaillusions.com

Hear from you!

Interactive Roving iPad Magic

iPad Roving Magic Promo by Alexander

If you have read our previous article on iPad Magic and Digital Illusions, titled "Evolution of an Artist", you would know that the genre of iPad Magic within Meta Illusions started first with Jonathan designing iPad apps for our Interactive Roving Magic. 

As we progressed we had more need for palour and stage effects in the iPad and they were mostly custom designed to our client's specification.

But that aside, today I want to share with you more information about our Interactive iPad Roving Magic. This is our 2nd most popular engagement next to the Standard Interactive Roving Magic. 

Why iPad Magic?

The unique feature about the iPad Roving Magic is that you can book me to interact and mingle with your guests. You are offering a unique form of entertainment that is hardly seen in the industry; your guests and clients will be impressed by the novelty and the strength of the inherent magic. The best part: How about adding your client's or company's logo into the iPad and using them as part of the magic, at no additional cost?

Complimentary Logo Customization

Up to a limited time, I am offering complimentary basic customization for all my iPad Roving Magic where I would add your company's logo into the iPad and use it do magic. This increases marketing visibility and identity!

Check out the promo above to get a feel of what it is like for your clients to be at the cutting edge of magic! I would love to discuss with you further on thoughts, ideas and proposals for your event and your client!


Signing off,

Alexander Y.

Magic Moments: Gorgeous Wedding at 1 Altitude

Weddings = Love + Venue + Food ?
 

Is it all that simple? Yes and no. It really depends on how a couple conceptualizes the wedding. If weddings thought to be simply ceremonial and perfunctory, then the above equation would suffice. A simple affair where two lovers unite their hearts and lives as one from this day on.

But if you conceptualize weddings as an experience, as part of a milestone in your lives as lovers and from this day on as man and wife, then this milestone needs to be memorable and more than just ceremonial. 

The little details add up to the grand experience. For couple, AJ and Jeraldine, they chose a gorgeous venue at 1-Altitude and the decorations were just magical. They also got me to enhance the atmosphere of their wedding. You can see in the pictures below how magic created a magical mood of awe and anticipation.

Picture Credits: One Eye Click and Jeraldine

View fullsize

View fullsize

AJ flew his friends and family to witness the wonder union of him and his wife. The audience were flew in from different parts of the world to be a part of this magical experience. 

With such a diverse demographics, my experience as an international performer enabled me to effectively entertain and interact with the guests. 

The best part about having an illusionist/magician in your wedding is that you can elicit and capture emotions and expressions of awe, amazement, wonder and positive surprise. Such emotions are hard to evoke and rare in daily occurrences. With magic, these raw emotions are captured in time. 

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

So consider having a magician for your wedding, a professional and classy magician. With that, magical moments awaits you. 

Signing off,
Alexander Yuen (humming the tune of Magic.... Moments...)

Adult Birthday Parties

The title may sound misleading, but the word “adult” isn’t a connotation to something “blue”. Last Sunday, I performed close-up roving magic for a birthday surprise. It was planned and coordinated by my good friend, Leslie, who is an excellent and interactive host. Check him out here.

Leslie Tan Hosting and working his "magic"

The common misconception about engaging magicians to perform for birthday parties is that it is only appropriate for children. That is evidently not the case. I was engaged for this high-end, sophisticated birthday party to entertain and interact with the guests before the birthday “boy” made his grand entrance. I provided the entertainment during dinner as well.

Alexander engaging the crowd with some hands on magic

It was really nice as I knew some of the people there and it is always a joy to perform for friends. What surprised me was that one lady actually remembered me from another show I did years ago, in which I presented a brand of magic that is different from my current style. It was really heartwarming to know that my magic impacted her.

Entertaining the adults and children

With that said, the bulk of my engagement was meant for adults. However, there were children with their families at the party too and I got to perform for them as well! Being able to engage children requires a certain level of skill and a good amount of experience, as most primary school teachers would know all too well. Seeing the smiles and amazement on the children’s faces as I performed for them really made my experience even more memorable.

Alexander Yuen performing magic for children

Unlike most entertainers who “talk down” to children in silly voices, I believe that children like to be treated as mature individuals. While my performance style may be slightly more animated when I perform for children, it is in no way childish or silly. All in all, it was an excellent event with excellent people, I did a special magic trick for the birthday “boy” too. The reaction I got from him, was real magic. Signing off, Alexander Yuen