Author: Silvan Prayogo, BSc., MSc. Biotech (Semarang Magic Community Captain 2011)
Last update: 12 December 2012
Silvan Prayogo delightfully shared the excitement of The 8th Asian Magic Association Convention to members of Semarang Magic Community during the eighth Magic Gathering. The magic gathering was only for Semarang Magic Community members. The Gathering was on the 11th of December 2011, Sunday, from 16:00 up to 20:00. The Gathering also discussed strategic maneuvers after the AMA convention because Semarang Magic Community made an important history not only as an organization but also as a nation, Indonesia.
December 2011 will be remembered by many magicians (pesulap) in Asia as the month of magic celebration because from the 1st of December 2011 up to the 4th of December 2011, The Asian Magic Association (AMA) held its eighth magic convention in Asia's sleepless city, Hong Kong. It was a very monumental event as Asia chose its best magicians from various AMA-registered Asian countries to compete in the prestigious world magic competition, FISM.
Amazing magic (sulap) shows by guest performers and contestants proved that magic continues to develop despite all skeptical challenges by modern technologies and deliberate attempts to expose long-guarded magic secrets and legacies. Special events like this shows that the art of magic is truly limited by one's dreams and imagination. Then, it becomes a challenge for magicians to realize these fantasies. These performers' creativity and hard work truly deserve great appreciation.
Many new effects entertained our eyes and played with our minds such as the ability of a magician to redo all his routine backwards in a "rewind - video" mode, the appearing of a stack of cakes from an empty napkin, the continuous productions of coins from mid air, the cabaret style multiple fans production, the unlimited production of cards from mid air, rapid color-changing balls, rapid costume transformation, and many more.
The convention also offered the best magic products sold by magic dealers from various countries such as Thailand, Japan, India, People's Republic of China, Germany, Singapore, Indonesia, etc. The atmosphere of the magic dealer hall itself was a unique experience when several magic dealers demonstrated their products. Loud noise of confetti / streamer launcher, snow storm, wand / umbrella appearing from a flame, the flying carpet, etc made the hall merrier every day. The Indonesian magic dealers were Mr. Iwan and Mr. Fergus and Mr. Handy.
Other Indonesians in the convention were Rizuki, Mr. Togi, Mr. Paulus Didi, Mr. Pambudi Sunarsihanto, Mr. Tan Khoen Gho, and Mrs. Nanny Liem. We enjoyed the event so much, although it was a pity that no one represented Indonesia in such an important event like this.
The guest lecturers such as Charlie Frye (the master of acrobatic magic from USA),Juan Tamariz (the legendary close up magician from Spain), Yuji Yamamoto, Kenji Minemura, Hiro Sakai, and Kazu Katayama (the four mesmerizing magicians from Japan), Tim Ellis (the creative magic story teller from Down Under - Australia), and Timo Marc (the expert of colorful magic visual effect from Germany) generously shared their expertise and ideas in magic to magicians who attended the convention.
The convention was also a great opportunity to build new friendships from magicians with diverse background from various countries. Joey Yu from Hong Kong took a great effort to make sure Silvan Prayogo find his way home from Panda Hotel, which was approximately 20 minutes walking time to the nearest MTR station. Mr. Robert Kee, Mr.Bahar, and Mr. Kenneth Chia from Singapore who have shown great support and enthusiasm to arrange the mini magic convention between Singapore Magic Ring 115and Semarang Magic Community. Mr. Tashiro Shigeru from Japan who apparently a family doctor, and many many more.
At nine o'clock in the morning of the 4th of December 2011, Silvan Prayogo carried an important mission bearing the name of Semarang Magic Community for the great honor of Indonesian magicians. It has been a long dream of many Indonesians, especially Indonesian magicians to have the Red and White flag (The Indonesian Flag) printed on the attributes of AMA and FISM (e.g. brochures, booklets, websites, etc) along with other nations' magicians who have been represented internationally decades ago. However, no Indonesian individual or organization has stepped forward to officially represent the great magic talents Indonesia has to offer in the international world.
At 10:30 a.m, Mr. John Teo, an AMA board member from Singapore, opened the reception door that leads to the AMA General Board Meeting and FISM Asia Societies meeting. There were approximately 12 board members in the room including Mr. Dai Wu Qi (Chairman of Asia Magic Association, People Republic of China), Mr. Albert Tam (FISM Asia Executive Board Chairman, SAR Hong Kong), and Mr. Eric Eswin (The International President of FISM).
It was an exciting and honorable experience to be in the General Meeting. It became more exciting to know that Semarang Magic Community is the first magic organization from Indonesia who took the initiative to step forward in person to apply AMA membership. Silvan Prayogo was given an opportunity to provide a brief introduction about magic in Indonesia and Semarang Magic Community. Mr. Dante Law fromTaiwan looked surprised to know that the history of magic in Indonesia notes his presence in Indonesia in the 1970s.
The point of Silvan Prayogo presentation was that the initiative action taken by Semarang Magic Community proves its seriousness to bring the honorable image of Indonesian magicians into the international spotlight. The initiative of Semarang Magic Community to apply for AMA membership is hoped to trigger all Indonesian magicians to unite and take positive actions that will show the best of Indonesian magic (Sulap Indonesia).
Semarang Magic Community offers great appreciation and gratefulness for the opportunity and support by Members of the General Board meeting to recognize and welcome our initiative and spirit to be member of AMA in honor of Indonesian magicians. However, membership cannot be granted at the moment as Semarang Magic Community must demonstrate its capability as a solid organization. It is after all, a young organization with an adult mind orientation as Mr. Cris Castro, AMA Board Member fromthe Philippines commented. We, Semarang Magic Community, shall take this challenge to the best of our effort.
As our short term demonstration of competence, Semarang Magic Community will arrange a mini magic convention with Magic Ring 115 (Singapore) in Semarang in the early 2012. Further great events shall be arranged.
This encouraging news and experience were shared to members of Semarang Magic Community during the eighth magic gathering. Members were excited of this opportunity and will work their best for Indonesia in the path for international magic arena.
This article is available at Semarang Magic Community website and blog.
