Throughout the history of magic there have been many influential figures who made notable contributions to the art even though their livings came from other full-time occupations. Among them are a number of physicians who have created innovative techniques, stood out as performers, or otherwise dedicated themselves to the field of conjuring. Dr. Kedar Sankholkar, a New York City cardiologist and magician, will appear October 26 in Magic and Mysteries of the Heart, a free event at The New York Pubilc Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center. Dr. Sankholkar will perform a wide range of magic at the event and will also weave into his presentation valuable information about the heart, focusing on ways that individuals can actively improve their own health.
Dr. Sankholkar says that his thinking about similarities between magic and medicine evolved after wondering why some patients would change their behavior to lead toward healthier outcomes while others struggled with the same types of changes. "My main goal is to motivate people to make the right choices for their health through education and entertainment," says Dr. Sankholkar. "As magicians we are doing sleight of hand that when looked at in isolation has no meaning, but when presented well spectators turn it into something in their minds. That’s where the magic happens. It’s completely in their minds. I’ve started to notice that’s also where true changes for a patient’s heart happens. It has to start in their minds."
Dr. Sankholkar says that his thinking about similarities between magic and medicine evolved after wondering why some patients would change their behavior to lead toward healthier outcomes while others struggled with the same types of changes. "My main goal is to motivate people to make the right choices for their health through education and entertainment," says Dr. Sankholkar. "As magicians we are doing sleight of hand that when looked at in isolation has no meaning, but when presented well spectators turn it into something in their minds. That’s where the magic happens. It’s completely in their minds. I’ve started to notice that’s also where true changes for a patient’s heart happens. It has to start in their minds."
Saram Ellison's 1903 Membership Card in the Society of American Magicians, showing him as member number one. Below the card is his receipt for a subscription to Mahatma, a leading magic magazine. The items are from the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. In addition to Dr. Sankholkar's presentation, Herb Scher (editor of this blog), will introduce the event with remarks about physicians over the last 115 years who have made notable contributions to magic. These include Jacob Daley, who was an innovator of card magic; Richard Mark, a psychiatrist and developer of mentalism effects; and Saram Ellison, who was instrumental in founding the Society of American Magicians in 1902. Dr. Ellison donated a series of scrapbooks to The New York Public Library that are filled with invaluable items documenting aspects of magic history from the late 1800s into the 1910s, and a selection of these items will be featured in the presentation. The materials are now part of the Billy Rose Theatre Division at the Library for the Performing Arts.
Although admission to the event is free, reservations are recommended. Additional information is available here. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is located at Lincoln Center. The easiest access to the Bruno Walter Auditorium where the event will occur is at Amsterdam Avenue just south of 65th Street.
Although admission to the event is free, reservations are recommended. Additional information is available here. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts is located at Lincoln Center. The easiest access to the Bruno Walter Auditorium where the event will occur is at Amsterdam Avenue just south of 65th Street.
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