Is magic an art?

Politicians are on tricky ground and nobody misses the irony about the Congress legislating deception and pulling the wool as an art. Of course magic is an art, the Congress notwithstanding.

I am against enabling magicians to sue for “intellectual property” violations.
It would destroy the trade.

It’s just an illusion, ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh…ah aha

Asked if he preferred to be known as a magician or an illusionist, David Copperfield said, “For this week I’d be happy to be known as an artist.”

Why would you say art, versus, say, trade, @stanleybmanly. Is magic something that can be successfully taught?

You’re against magic being made an “art”, @ragingloli?

Oddly, I’m seeing a point there, @ucme.

Only if one is talking about optical illusions.

I’ll give you that Escher is both art and optical illusion, @NerdyKeith, but I don’t know that was where you were going with your answer.

Nah @ibstubro it’s just your Imagination…“ooh…ooh…ooh…ooh ah, aha”

Well, I am good at making shit up, @ucme.

Not an art—simply artful (as in clever, skilled) entertainment.

I hate magic—THERE, I said it. I think it’s because I just don’t like being tricked and not being able to figure out how. I find that more stressful than enjoyable.

That said, I loved the film “Now You See Me” and am looking forward to seeing sequel. Love the cast.

Now that you mention it, @Pachy, I’m not all that fond of magic that I can’t find an explanation for. I never really thought about it before now.

I like slight of hand because it’s fun, and I know I can always find out how it was done/do it myself. But things like making The Statue of Liberty disappear are largely annoying. The joke is on you.

Couldn’t agree more, @ibstubro.

Thanks, @Pachy.

You’ve helped me see that the answer to my question “Is magic an art?” is most likely, “No.”
Magic appears to be the application of certain tricks in an ever increasing complexity.

I can buy oil paint, but I can’t imagine this.

Art is imagination, and magic seems to me to be more application.

Well said, my friend. One might even call your comment… magical.

Yes, it’s a performing art, like theatre.