Episode 4 - Defying Gravity
DMC explores the magic of Asia, revisiting classic routines and exploring its symbolism and inspiration, from animals to everyday objects and magical, superhuman powers that defy the natural order.
His journey begins in London’s China Town where he performs a dangerous trick involving a chef’s sushi knife before performing a magical transposition of Chinese coins on the streets of London’s West End.
From there he travels to Singapore – one of Asian’s most developed city states and a melting pot of cultures and religions, where traditional Chinese belief systems co-exist with contemporary, global capitalism.
The city forms the backdrop for DMC’s explorations of Asian magic and his radical reinterpretations of it.
DMC meets one of the superstars of Chinese magic, Lu Chen, at the historic Raffles Hotel and learns how Asian magic imbues everyday objects with supernatural powers or seeks to bring the notion of dreams to life – whether of flying, harnessing superhuman strength or escaping great peril. Mystical powers based on our human dreams of exceeding our physical limitations.
DMC explores the notion of ‘Qi’ – life energy which in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things and is used in many aspects of eastern culture, from healing to combat. He meets a lifetime practitioner of Qi Gong, literally energy cultivation, who tells him that he can harness the power of Qi before demonstrating a thrilling example of its power.
DMC’s journey and exploration into Asian magic ends with his ultimate tribute to magic and one of our most powerful dreams – that of flying - ending with his a sublime, full body levitation performed before a live audience in Singapore’s Marina Bay.