The Art of Biàn Liān 变脸 (Face-Changing)

by Daniel Chiam

I was fascinated by the ancient art of Biàn Liān or literally mean face-changing, when I first saw the movie “The King of Masks (1996)” many years ago. I was dumbfounded by how fast the skillful master of Biàn Liān can changes its masks in just split seconds, and I was wondering where he kept all his masks. To me back then, that was pure magic that’s way better than Siegfried and Roy with all their big props and white lion (and white tigers). We don’t have internet back then nor we knew what YouTube is and as the time goes by, my interest in finding out more about the art of Biàn Liān slowly faded. 

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I was extremely excited when I heard that Biàn Liān will be perform during the SM Ken Hwa’s Chap Goh Meh celebration (which I have the privilege to cover for the event) and my expectation sky rocketed cause I finally get to see this art of “magic” from the east to be perform right in front of my eyes. My brains quickly travel back to the moment when I first watched the movie and how mesmerized I was when I first saw it back then. 

The ancient art of Biàn Liān which originated from China, was like a family’s most valuable treasure. A skills and techniques that its secrets can only be known by the sons in the family and never to be told nor to be pass down to others outside of the family. Of course with time passes, human’s flaw and what’s not, the art of Biàn Liān has finally been leaked out and learned not only by the other people from the oriental world but also by the people from the west.

It was really a privilege for me to be able to witness a local magician and performer, Mr. Kevin Lee, performing the ancient art of Biàn Liān that is a great pride of the Sichuan opera from China. I really hope that I could do a story on this amazing art with Mr. Kevin in the future, and hopefully do my part to spread the art to the younger generation, especially to the Sabahan community, and to make sure that it would not be forgotten as the times goes by.

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

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Superstars of Magic 2 by Resorts World Genting

by Daniel Chiam 

Ever since the press conference for Superstars of Magic 2, the anticipation to watch the live show was very much skyrocketed and finally we were able to catch the show last Friday and it was hilarious, astonishing, mesmerizing, and above all magical.You just have to see it to believe it!

The funny guy, Chipper.

Chipper Lowell from USA is the official emcee of the show and he was absolutely, totally and extremely funny! It was more to comedy than magic for him, and it keeps the crowd from laughing and laughing and laugh even more. He is really entertaining!

Charlie Frye & Co kicks off with a variety act of juggling, magic to comedy. It was entertaining but not so much magic going on there. My anticipation is still a full on magic act!

Awesomely impressive!

Nestor Hato the card manipulation champion from France. He made the desire to learn card tricks burn like never before. His act was so cool, with all the cards flying around, disappear and reappearing. The crowd was totally mesmerize by his performance. At the end, keep your eyes on his hair! Omigosh how did he even do that?!

Christian Lindermann is the Europe's best pickpocket artist and not only that, he is also oh-so-funny guy too. "I LIKE", haha. Keep your eyes on his hands and see how sneaky and clever it is for him to "steal" from a member of the audience.

Don't ever try this at home!

Dean Gunnarson is the world's greatest escape artist from Canada and watching him doing his death defying act is really heart pounding and nerve wrecking at the same time. It was extremely impressive to wonder how in the world he managed to escape from such near death experience!

The only Asian performers in the show; JC Sum and 'Magic Babe' Ning. Now this two, is really O.M.G! Their performance really gives hope that tho magic can be decoded but it is still extremely mind boggling to see it done live. 'Magic Babe' Ning was lock in a chest and all the while we can see her hands, then suddenly she pop out of no where in the crowd. I was like WTFish! When... How... she does it?! Brilliant!

Mysterious balls keeps coming and going.

Shooting endless cards like nobody's business!

The two young magician; SOS & Tigran Junior, was pretty impressive too. Simple magic tricks by the 12 year old and yet it was still entertaining. The older brother was performing similar cards manipulation as Hato, tho similar but it was very entertaining in so many different ways.

Talking about burning desire, this guy was literally on fire!

The final act was by SOS & Victoria Petrosyan, and you literally could no take your eyes off the gorgeous Victoria. She keeps changing into a different mesmerizing outfits in seconds! I believe all the ladies would love to know how it works as it could come in handy just in case someone is wearing the same outfit as yours for an occasion.

The Superstars of Magic 2 will be happening till 9th of September 2012. So WAIT NO MORE and get your tickets now before the coolest magic show in town disappear and don't know when to return yet!

Show starts at 9PM in Geting International Showroom. Ticket range from RM60 to RM250 for adult and RM30 to RM100 for children. Seriously, this is that one show you don't want to miss out!

All photos are courtesy of Resorts World Genting.

For more info visits:

Superstars of Magic Malaysia Facebook Page

Resorts World Genting website

"Seize the day, Caper Diem"

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