The world of magic is mourning the loss of Darwin Ortiz, a true legend in the realm of card manipulation and gambling. Darwin Ortiz, known as the ‘G.O.A.T’ (Greatest of All Time) in the world of magic, passed away on October 13, 2023. His contributions to the art of magic were unparalleled, leaving an indelible mark on magicians worldwide.
Darwin Ortiz was a master card manipulator, a skilled card player, an instructor, and an influential author. He was known for his technical prowess and superb storytelling, captivating audiences with compelling presentations that went beyond mere sleight of hand. Ortiz had a unique ability to connect with his audience on a deep emotional level, leaving them in awe of his abilities and deeply moved by his magic.
“On Friday the 13th (which he would have loved) sadly, I lost a best friend, teacher, and a father figure. Darwin was one of the best card men in the world, and what an honor it was to learn from him. Since 2001, I made an eight-hour drive 6-7 times a year to learn as much card work as I possibly could. That continued for 22 more years. He taught me everything I know, far beyond card work and for this I’ll forever be grateful.
Losing my father at an early age made me work harder to study and learn from Darwin to gain his respect. I worked on this relationship until he finally told me I was the son he never wanted. To hear him say that was the best thing I could ask for.
The magic community lost a great. However, he left behind a legacy that’ll never be forgotten. Thank you Darwin… for everything,” said by Jason Ladanye on Instagram.
Born and raised in New York City, Darwin Ortiz developed an early interest in card tricks. He pursued card magic full-time after dropping out of NYU Law School in 1974. He supported himself by playing blackjack and teaching at Harry Lorayne’s memory school in New York City.
Ortiz’s impact on the world of magic extended beyond performances. He authored influential theory books that covered various disciplines of magic, earning immense respect for his insights into magic theory. His books, including “Strong Magic” and “Designing Miracles,” ventured into new territory, codifying new concepts and revealing innovative ways to think about magic.
Darwin Ortiz was not only a master magician but also a dedicated mentor and teacher. He generously shared his knowledge and original material with the magic community, enriching the art form and inspiring generations of magicians.
Joshua Jay shared Darwin Ortiz’s death news on facebook,
“Darwin Ortiz has passed away, and magic has lost one of its greatest intellects. I first met him as a teenager, and we have been correspondents ever since.
Darwin lived the exemplary magician’s life. He performed professionally using exclusively original material that he created and honed in real-world environments. And when the work was fully developed he shared it with the magic community in the form of his five major collections of sleight-of-hand. My favorite of these was Cardshark, which came out when I was fourteen. I learned nearly every trick in that book.
Without question his crowning achievement—and what he will be remembered for by magicians a century from now—are his two collections of magic theory, Strong Magic (1994) and Designing Miracles (2007). I refer to them as magic’s old and new testament. They are masterworks, and they will be studied a century from now. Modern theory very often rehashes the ideas and theories of our past masters. But Darwin’s two collections ventured boldly into new territory. He codified dozens of new concepts, coined new terms, and revealed new ways to classify and think about magic.I can think of only two reasons Darwin is under-appreciated in some circles.
The first is that, perhaps, Darwin’s strength was not charismatic performances (he was a good performer, but some couldn’t connect with his performance style). It’s convenient when the greatest thinkers and creators also happen to be exceptionally entertaining. But by no means do these things need to go hand-in-hand. Whether or not you were drawn to Darwin’s performance style, the body of work he has left to future generations of magicians is staggering and important.
The other reason: Darwin was old-school. He might have seemed cold or distant to the casual student. He didn’t give just anyone access. But I can attest that if you demonstrated a serious interest, he was enthusiastic, helpful, and loyal. He was very kind to me over the course of my career, and offered specific advice and ideas to make my magic better. He cared. I mourn his loss, and I mourn the loss of his future work.Rest in peace, and never play cards with strangers.”
As the magic community mourns his loss, Darwin Ortiz’s legacy will forever live on in the hearts of magicians around the world. His significant contributions to the art of magic will be studied and appreciated for generations to come.
Categories: News
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
