‘Braindrops’.. Magician Paul Gertner uses an iPad to surprise, educate.
There are plenty of magicians in the world but not many perform their craft with a message.
Then there’s Paul Gertner, who for nearly 30 years has been considered a magician’s magician, someone who explores illusions and tricks with a cerebral flair that wows audiences and exasperates his peers.
The Pittsburgh resident’s latest show is “Braindrops,” which will come to Youngstown on Friday for a show at the Butler Institute of American Art North Building. Ironically, it was an exhibition at this same venue a few years ago that inspired Gertner to embrace, explore and debunk technology.
“‘Braindrops’ is basically a show that combines magic, mind reading and technology,” said Gertner, calling from the Steel City. “Essentially, ‘Braindrops’ kind of asks the question, are we addicted to technology?” It sort of challenges the audience about what they believe in terms of what’s real and what’s not… (By John Benson)