Guest post by Janet Adams
Rope magic is a genre of magic which uses ropes to perform all manner of tricks and illusions that are sure to wow and bamboozle an adoring audience of fans and skeptics alike. The earliest recorded incidence of rope magic occurred way back in the 14th century China but the genre gained widespread renown in the 19th century when British soldiers witnessed it being performed by Indian magicians and they brought back news of its wonder back home. Back then it was quite an elaborate trick which involved a magician throwing a rope into the air where it remained erect with no external support. He then sent his assistant up the rope to get something; the assistant climbed up and disappeared in the heights. The assistant takes too long to come back and the magician grows increasingly angry then finally, armed with a sword he follows his assistant up the rope. Sounds of a violent confrontation are heard above by the crowd and soon the dismembered body of the assistant falls to the ground. The magician descends soon after, collects the scattered limbs and puts them in a box. He then proceeds to restore his assistant who appears whole before the dumbfounded audience. Rope magic nowadays is not always as elaborate. It has evolved in so many ways and a large proportion of rope magic presently consists of rope tricks that are quite simple although they are equally entertaining and engaging. They include tricks such as a rope seemingly defying gravity and standing upright on end, tying several knots incredibly fast and then moving them along the length of a rope and even making them disappear and reappear interchangeably on the rope.
Rope magic has evolved greatly over its long history. However, its core appeal has remained unaltered through the years. Whether a man is climbing up a rope that is standing on end with no external support or whether an amateur magician is performing rope knot tricks at an office party, rope magic remains a highly appealing visual art that is both enjoyable to watch and still leaves the audience bewildered as to how what they are seeing can be true. To mystify, engage and entertain are at the core of the purposes of magic and art, and rope magic does them all with seamless ease.