Card flourish

Card flourishes is the term for visual displays of skill performed with playing cards designed to show the skill or manual dexterity of a 'Flourisher'. Card flourishes are primarily intended to be visually fascinating and to appear difficult to do.[1]

Card flourishes for magicians can be divided into many genres: one-handed cuts, spreads, two-handed cuts, fanning, aerials, and springs. Card flourishes are performed both as part of magic performances and on their own. Card Flourishes and Card Manipulation are considered as art forms, and many people all over the world practice them religiously. Many famous flourishers would be Dan Buck, Dave Buck, Michael Herp, Daniel Madison. Though there are countless flourishing moves, the most common method of learning the art is through DVDs, books, free tutorials on the internet, private one-on-one sessions as well as privately produced instructional videos. Although Card Flourishing is still considered to be a rare skill or hobby, there has been a large spark in widespread interest over the past decade. As a result, there is significantly more informational material available on the market today for those interested. Card Flourishing is a hobby mostly practiced by young people, and has almost become separated from the magic community, however this movement has been hindered somewhat by magicians incorporating flourishes into magic tricks. Many young people will practice this art form with no interest in magic at all, yet Card Flourishing is derived from the magic community and has since been trying to liberate itself from the stereotype that all Card Flourishers are magicians.

Card Flourishes have also been featured on television, mostly by Dan and Dave Buck.

Along with the cardistry community - many websites are available to not only keep users in touch with the community but also teach them and help advance the art.

Terminology

References

  1. ^ Tarr, Bill. "Flourishes". Now You See It, Now You Don't! Lessons in Sleight of Hand. Vintage Books. pp. 59–89. ISBN 0-394-72202-7.