Ben Harris – AQUA-IMP

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Transform the water in a drinking bottle, making it feel almost weightless!

Aqua~imp is a remarkable piece of “incidental” magic that feels spontaneous. This illusion of casualness deepens the intrigue, offering your audience a captivating glimpse into a world of possibilities.

Imagine this scenario: You’re at a social gathering or office setting with bottles of water around. Whether at a bar, outdoor event, or party, bottled water is everywhere. You casually mention, “You know, this (insert brand) bottled water has some fascinating properties. The ions can transform it into pure helium, making the bottle almost float. Let me demonstrate. May I borrow your bottle?”

The performer takes the spectator’s nearly empty bottle, uncaps it, and spills a bit into their palm. Breathing in deeply, they say, “Yes, this is the real deal… incredible. Here, take a whiff. Can you catch a hint of ‘jasmine’? That scent emerges upon ionization!”

The spectator, puzzled, can’t detect anything, but the performer continues with the demonstration. The bottle is recapped and laid flat on the table alongside others. The performer rolls the spectator’s bottle back and forth, inviting them to do the same. “Just roll it gently; the remaining water will elevate to a higher state, making the bottle feel lighter. It might even want to float! It’s a bit too heavy to actually do that, but watch closely!”

After a few moments of rolling, the spectator lifts their hand, and the bottle rises slightly off the table, creating an illusion of a blimp attempting to ascend. “Push it down again. Now let go. See? It really has become lighter!”

The sight of the bottle bobbing is astonishing, especially as the other bottles remain flat. The performer comments, “The elevated air is too risky to leave floating around,” and offers to “re-compress the molecules, erasing all signs of ionization.” The spectator rolls the bottle flat again, this time in an East-West direction. When they lift their hand, the bottle stays flat on the table, with the molecules returning to their original state. Finally, the bottle is uncapped, and a bit of water is poured onto the performer’s palm. Everyone can now smell the jasmine scent, lingering in the spectator’s bottle for hours!

The sight of the bottle rising is truly bizarre, defying gravity, even if just a little! This effect is ready to perform for just 20 cents, and you can even use a borrowed bottle in the right context. There are countless themes you can explore: Is it a “Genie in a Bottle?” A “Heavy Water” effect? Or perhaps a “Lie Detector” test? Adult performers might even use it as a “Compatibility Test.”

AQUA-IMP is a 20-page, photo-illustrated PDF.