Artist
art·ist P: (är
t
st) n.
- A person whose work shows exceptional creative ability or skill.
- One who is able by virtue of imagination and talent or skill to create works of aesthetic value, especially in the performing arts.
- The American Heritage Dictionary
Bach. Mozart. Beethoven. Michelangelo. DaVinci. Picasso. Monet. These are just a few of the artists who are admired by the world for their timeless works of art. More recently, artists such as Frank Sinatra, U2, and Steven Spielberg have been added to that list.
What is an artist? When we hear that word, most people usually think of someone along the lines of a painter, sculptor, musician, etc. "Illusionist" is far from the first thing on your mind, if you were to include it at all.
In the 1920's, magic was truly considered an art form. Harry Blackstone, Harry Houdini, Howard Thurston, and others graced the stages of theatres around the world. People everywhere fell in love with the art of magic, and illusionists were admired for their skill and artistic abilities.
In the decades that followed, magic was reduced over time to nothing more than simple "tricks." Few performers were considered artists, and the majority were simply "tricksters." Anyone could go to any magic shop, spend a few bucks on a cheap "trick," and be fooling their friends the next day.
For BJ Harris, magic consists of so much more than simple tricks. To him, it's about creating works of aesthetic value that create a sense of wonder. "It's not about fooling the audience and making them feel stupid," says BJ. "Yet magicians across America have taken on the attitude of "look what I can do that you can't."
Put simply, BJ is elevating the art of illusion to it's original place in the performing arts. You can forget what you know about typical illusionists—no cheesy tuxedos or cheap, colorful tubes and boxes. This is magic at its best, and truly, a work of art.
BJ is continually recognized by his peers on an international level. He has won numerous awards from the International Brotherhood of Magicians for his stage performance and skills in the art of magic, and is consistently recognized by The Fellowship of Christian Magicians for his outstanding example of excellence and professionalism. BJ is one of the few performers to ever be featured on the cover of the FCM’s international trade magazine twice within the same decade, and is regularly asked to both perform and lecture at their regional, national, and international conventions.
Highly respected by both his peers and his audiences, BJ is building a reputation for himself, not only in America, but in countries around the world.
BJ says, "My talent is something that I’ve worked years on developing, but ultimately, it's a gift. Only when I recognize my gift as a gift, can I use it the way God imagined. Most people don't see themselves as being creative. However, every human being has been given the most essential tool for creativity, the human imagination. The imagination is God's gift of creativity to humanity, and everyone on the planet has one. Magic is all about the imagination, and it's the perfect springboard for creating wonder and encouraging creativity. When I influence people to use the imagination they've been given, they can go places they've never been, and step into experiences they've never known. They can live life to the full, and change the world in which they live. If someone experiences my art form and simply walks away entertained, my vision hasn’t been fulfilled."
"When you look at it that way, it really isn’t about me anymore. It becomes more about challenging the hearts and minds of my audiences, and impacting them in such a way that they can start imagining, then living . . . living the life God created them to live."
