Performing Artist...Ignored?

[Houdini]

A friend sent me this article and I wanted to share it with everyone.

A man was sitting in a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin.
He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk away.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist. Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace.

He collected $32.

When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it.
No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth over 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston. Average price for a seat? $100.00

Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of an social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour.

So what does this have to do with Magic? (Its not really a stupid question.)

Magic is an art form, say what you want about it. But this shows you all what kind of audience we are dealing with. Yes, we as entertainers are all performing for the same audience. And with the evolution of "Street Magic," or Gorilla Magic, this could be some of you. An amazing artist, just passed by.

And remember, this goes for YOU as an audience to.

If we as people do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?



You can treat yourself and read the whole article from the Washington Post, Here.

Remember: Art is everywhere. Keep your eyes open wide.