Sunday, October 23, 2011

David Avedon Custom Prop


This is a picture of David Avedon, a magician that came to us with an unusual request. He wanted a park bench that turned into a theatrical trunk. I sadly read that he died just a year or two ago. He appears to have been an odd sort of performer with an interesting take on life. My Dad would have talked to him about the wisdom of the effect, but ultimately it was his call to make. As you can see, he is seated on the bench here in this first shot.









I don't know what the figure on the bench was supposed to represent. David had a very artistic approach to things and there may have been some narrative or pantomime involved. I never saw the final product in his act, but I know that the effect worked flawlessly and very smoothly. With one simple movement the bench transforms visibly into the trunk that the magician can sit on or cart off stage. I think you could also open it so maybe the figure ends up inside of the box.


You can see the trunk now on the ground right at David's feet. The trunk/bench was designed and constructed by my father at his workshop, storefront, office. The location was the old Owen's Brothers Warehouse at 1240 South Chapel in Alhambra. He took over the lease at that location for several years in the mid 1980s. Many of the best memories I have are of the times he and I worked together on a project. I spent two full summers working there as well as filling in at various times over those years.

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