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After watching a magic show as a child in his Central Java hometown, Hendra Gunawan, or Hendramagic as he’s also known, knew what he wanted to do with his life. Now he not only performs magic but also teaches the next generation of illusionists.
Today, he describes how he achieved his dream, tells us how he could ease the capital’s gridlock and lets us in on his plan to set fire to his private parts.

What’s Jakarta like through the eyes of a magician?

Jakarta is the place for a local magician to make it, whether on TV or in a popular newspaper [smiles]. I say that because this is where I made it.

Jakarta is the place where I learned to perform magic. I bought my magician’s tools and books here.

How did you learn?

At first, I taught myself. I watched videos and read books. Then I began to take lessons from a number of teachers, but the ones who had the biggest impact on me were Mr. Lee, Uncle Tan and Dui Montero.

Where was your first performance?

It was at a church and I didn’t get paid because I was still an amateur at the time. I did the show because I was interested in becoming a professional magician.

Back then, it was still a hobby for me.

When did you first get paid?

The first time I got paid and really thought about making this my career was when I did three days of magic shows with Alford, Indonesia’s top illusionist.

After that, I started receiving bookings for shows at malls, hotels and even a few corporate events.

Where in Jakarta can I see a good magic performance?

You could try the Magic Cafe at Artha Gading Mall [North Jakarta]. In the past, the only place you could see magicians perform in Jakarta was at the Magic Cafe in Cinere [South Jakarta], but they opened another one in Artha Gading.

Most magicians like to get together there these days. Magicians also have their own club, the Society of Indonesian Magicians, which I’m a member of.

How much money can you make for a performance?

I make anywhere from Rp 6 million to 50 million ($660 to $5,550), depending on the type of event.

Besides performing, I also sell magic accessories, like kits that can give the illusion that someone inside a box disappears then reappears, equipment to help you fly, plus a whole lot more.

I have received orders for these accessories not just from Indonesia but from all over the world. My customers include Serbians, Americans, Singaporeans and Malaysians.

What made you want to become a magician?

It makes people happy and curious. But it started back in junior high school when I was in Wangon [Central Java]. I met a magician and from that moment on I was only really interested in watching magicians perform.

At that time, magic shows were very cool and really popular.

What kind of magic can you perform?
I usually do comical, mental and illusional magic.

How do you trick people into believing in your magic? Speed? Sleight of hand?

It’s about the illusion and the equipment that you use as part of the act. People watch it and think it’s real. As you get better at performing, you begin to gain speed.

Can you work your magic on Jakarta and make the traffic jams disappear?

I could cast a spell on people and turn them all into disciplined drivers. If everyone exercised a little discipline and paid attention to red lights and other street signs, there would be less congestion.

Who comes to see you perform?
My audience consists of 80 percent adults and 20 percent kids.

Do you offer classes for those who are interested in learning a little magic?

I have 11 students at the moment. Most of them are studying at a basic level, but a few are taking professional classes. The price for a basic and advanced course ranges from Rp 2.5 million to Rp 50 million.

Can you tell us what the newest trick is that you will be performing in your shows?

I’m preparing an illusion that has me setting myself on fire in front of people in a comical manner. It’s lighthearted. I’ll set my pants ablaze and there will be fire coming out of my crotch [laughs].