[News] Famed Magician In Freediving World Record Stunt

[Scuby]

Yes, the Audrey footage is a new low - the americans have always had a macabre freakshow obscession - but come on, who wasn't half expecting it?
As I said they're playing it to perfection and this is just extra heat on the pressure cooker. As Stephan says, what better way to hype this than the media message that the last person to stay underwater for 9 minutes essentially trying to 'escape' died. Can't help wondering whether PFI team actually knew anything about it before they signed on the dotted line - bet there was some uncomfortable people up there.

Irrespective - end result? Hyper tension, Hyper media frenzy, Hyper money!

Sure there's plenty of interest (or should that be curiosity) in the sport as a result but will it do any good? Finding myself thinking a flat 'No'. As Blaine pulls off the final breath hold and the warnings are continually repeated saying "This is extremely dangerous - DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME" that will be an open invitation to the Jackass TV generation....

Still can't wait to see the end of it though!!!

 

[BennyB]

His 9:24 static apnea in Vacouver on August 11, 2005 was not recognized as record, because shortly after surfacing he briefly touched his couch (or was touched by him?).

I think the DQ was on purpose as Tom wanted it to be an exhibition static and wanted to officially break the world record on home soil (or water).

 

[trux]

I think the DQ was on purpose as Tom wanted it to be an exhibition static and wanted to officially break the world record on home soil (or water).

Ah, thanks for the heads up, I think you may be right - I just found this in old news:

Thursday 12th August 2004 ( 11:24:29 PM ) Yesterday at the AIDA worldcup after the official static competition, Tom Sietas did a world record attempt and comfortably did an inhuman 9'24'', breaking his own world record. He then was disqualified because all his teammates embraced him. Later it turned out this was intentionally, since he already has arranged sponsorship for an official record attempt event later this year.

Though, I find it strange, because he did not set any new record afterwards.

 

[Skywalker]

I do not like the idea of that footage show for PR reason either but we should be carefull with the judgemebnts we make.
Such events carry a (to freediving) compareable huge crew especialy if you take the fact that it is about one person and not a bunch of athletes. And I doubt very much that David himself know every detail on the PR side and the "circus" created around him. He is a talend in still interacting with the media while being under physical stress but there are other people pulling the strings considering the show.

I even would be carefull with allegations against Crewmembers of David being affiliate with freediving about their knowledge of the Screening of the Footage.

Robert

 

[AltSaint]

If watching a video of someone dying is entertainment 'golddust', then it's a sad reflection of how little we have progressed since Roman times. Watching Oceanmen is something completely different - it shows the beauty and grace of freediving, and it shows Audrey - beautiful, vibrant, alive.

What is on show in New York doesn't come anywhere near that.

On a different note, has anyone noticed Kirk's expression in the photos? To me he looks unnerved and uncomfortable. Perhaps I've mentally projected that onto a normal face, but I just wondered if anyone else felt the same?

 

[Stephan Whelan]

Mark,

You misunderstand me. It is entertainment golddust for the exact reason that they are trying to hype up the event. When FreeDiving is shown on TV it normally has the phrase "cheating death" of "death defying".

This makes people want to tune in and watch the event. The viewing public is very Roman - they like thinking people might die. Just look at why traffic jams start up on the other side of a motorway when a car crash has happened - everyone is rubber-necking to see if someone is mortally wounded or dead.

I suspect Kirk's expression is more to do with lack of sleep and constant pressure to keep working than anything else. I understand they are lucky to get 5 hours sleep after 12-15 hour shifts.

 

[Stavros]

I am beginning to think I prefer freediving our old fashion way ... no-one knowing what we are all about and everyone thinking we are just strange.
Even if that means keeping my dayjob.


Stavros

 

[AltSaint]

I think it's the Human race I misunderstand. I'm not putting myself apart from it, but I just don't get it sometimes.

The other thing I feel uneasy about is our own free lunch on this. I don't know how hit rates to the DB site have been affected, but those going to the BFA have increased significantly in the last week.

An increase in interest about freediving thanks to a weird entertainer in New York living in a liquid marble for a week. Perhaps we've just found ourselves in a car wreck...

 

[naiad]

I think hit rates on the DB site have definitely been affected. Just look at the number of Currently Active Users at any given time, at the bottom of the main forums page, and also at the number viewing the General Freediving section, where this thread is located. Also look at the number of views of this thread, compared with most others.

Watching a genuine video of someone dying (not a dramatic reconstruction or a fictional movie) is not civilised entertainment.

I am now extremely disappointed by the whole event, and everyone involved.

 

[Haydn]

I too was disturbed to read about the Audrey video but only because I have no idea regarding any sensationalising aspect which would be offensive. I prefer to hope that any further showing of Audrey could be shown in a sensitive and honourable way, much like the Donald Campbell fatality in Bluebird or the photos of Scotts last camp. Such video can provide an inspirational message and lasting memorial of the human spirit.

 

[Skywalker]

I am now extremely disappointed by the whole event, and everyone involved.

As already said there might be only one person responsible for that screening and that person may have annoyed even some of the crew so condemming all the event stuff is a little hasty decision out of my view.

Robert

 

[Jorg]

Just to be clear on some points.

I don't suspect that the PFI team or even David himself has anything to do with the video images of Audrey dying. Directors, who's only job is to get the highest ratings possible, are doing always strange things to attract viewers attention. I have experencied this first hand during the making of a TV Show about Cyprus 2003 in which suddenly Audrey was taken as example, with the shocking images, as this could happen to any contestant, especially when they filmed Fred Buyle having a big big BO. Scenes are cut and paste in such a way that someone's words can be taken totally out of context. So, we will see tonight what happens with these images and how the will be presented to the viewers.

So, I have no problem with the images being shown in some sort of documentary or like the way Haydn described. But showing the images to shock people, then you've sink really low. Then you get an audience that is at the same level of the famous 'reality-tv' documentaries like "Faces of death" and "Hannibal Holocoust". Do we want this? Of course not. But who are we in this million dollar event, which is ruled by the big guys in suits whose only measure of succes is the tv ratings of the day before.

I just hope that if they broadcast those images it's done in a very respectfull way.

 

[Sergiu]

As already said there might be only one person responsible for that screening and that person may have annoyed even some of the crew so condemming all the event stuff is a little hasty decision out of my view.

Robert

I think the screening was criticised here rather than the event itself or the support crew. I have serious doubts that anybody from PFI would endorse such an unacceptable practice for boosting TV ratings - it's likely the work of some TV executive with little or no understanding of freediving as well as human values.

serge

 

[Fondueset]

I was just talking with a friend of mine about Tanya Streeter's lovely show on bbc and animal planet. The thing that really came out was a sense of joy - and play - she really came across as just playing in the sea with all these beautiful creatures.

Blaine's performance exemplifies the sort of type 'a' drive that is so admired in our culture - which includes a judeo-christian admiration for asceticism. The interesting paradox of competitive freediving is that all that drive is really counterproductive when it comes to actually succeeding - you cannot freedive successfully on adrenalin. But inevitably you get alot of that sort of thing growing up around competition. It is very difficult for most human beings to relax, and feel a sense of joy, without imposing some kind of conditions to create, for themselves, a small box - or bubble - within which they can, temporarily of course, declare themselves free. Freedom, and Joy - are essentially without cause, and uncontrollable - so, while it's what everybody wants - everybody's pretty much afraid of it.

So - Blaine - Brilliant Performance artist? - or just another guy with a fucked up idea of a vacation?

Both I think.

Odds are the Mestre footage was either a promotion or news agency - generally speaking either of these operate in a realm where conscience is useful only insofar as you get credit for it. It's unlikely in the extreme that anyone in PF was ever informed or involved in any way.

PS - 'Good on 'ya' Paul - another great read today - your narrative kicks ass!

 

[neshamah]

On a different note, has anyone noticed Kirk's expression in the photos? To me he looks unnerved and uncomfortable.
________

how will be comfortanble?

I least for me this is something new-something that you don't understand but you wacht it carefully - this is mix of everything
media- esfera -breath holding -famous people around - chains-concerts - ect ect

This is NY

anyway I will be there tonigh and I going to take my cronometro and my camara with me !

 

[naiad]

As already said there might be only one person responsible for that screening and that person may have annoyed even some of the crew so condemming all the event stuff is a little hasty decision out of my view.

I think the screening was criticised here rather than the event itself or the support crew. I have serious doubts that anybody from PFI would endorse such an unacceptable practice for boosting TV ratings - it's likely the work of some TV executive with little or no understanding of freediving as well as human values.

It was the screening that I was unhappy about, and I agree that maybe only one person was responsible for it. However, it has now changed my opinion of the event.

 

[Apnea_Addict]

Here you can see how the german press is picking up this stunt :

Sonntag, 7. Mai 2006
Eine Woche unter Wasser
Magier Blaine hält weiter durch

Der Magier David Blaine (33) ist nach knapp einer Woche in einem mannsgroßen Aquarium voll Wasser entschlossen, seinen gefährlichen Stunt bis zum Ende durchzuziehen. Nach US-Medienberichten sind Ärzte aber über den Zustand von Blaines durchweichter Haut und die zunehmende Schwäche des Amerikaners besorgt. Blaine räumte ein, dass seine Haut sich wie "ständig von Nadeln durchbohrt" anfühle. Am Montagabend soll die umstrittene Aktion vor der Metropolitan Opera in New York nach sieben Tagen zu Ende gehen.

Der amerikanische Fernsehsender ABC will das Finale live ausstrahlen. Nach einer Woche ohne Schlaf und ohne feste Nahrung unter Wasser, nur mit Sauerstoff und Infusionen für den Flüssigkeitsbedarf versorgt, will Blaine am Ende auch noch einen Rekord im Luftanhalten aufstellen, während er sich aus schweren Ketten befreit. Seit Januar hat er 23 Kilogramm abgenommen, um auf die enorme körperliche Belastung durch das Leben unter Wasser besser vorbereitet zu sein.

Zehntausende Schaulustige haben Blaines gläserne Goldfischkugel besucht, darunter auch Hollywoodstars wie Colin Farrell, Matt Dillon und Courteney Cox. Einige spornten den Aktionskünstler mit handgeschriebenen Botschaften zum Durchhalten an, während Blaine seine verschrumpelten Hände an die Glasscheibe presste.

"Deine Hände mit den vielen Falten sehen seltsam aus", bemerkte ein siebenjähriges Mädchen in einer Notiz auf Blaines Webseite. "Sei vorsichtig. Du bist eine große Inspiration für mich", schrieb ein anderer Fan.

Blaine hat schon öfter in ähnlicher Weise auf sich aufmerksam gemacht. 1999 verbrachte er sieben Tage in einem Glassarg unter der Erde. Ein Jahr später hielt er in New York 62 Stunden in einem Eisblock aus. 2003 verbrachte er 44 Tage ohne Nahrung in einem Glaskasten gegenüber der Tower Bridge in London und lockte damit eine Viertelmillion Schaulustige an. Nach eigenen Worten geht es ihm darum, "im Leiden Schönheit zu finden".

 

[pkotik]

Trux - thanks for the heads-up on Bulgarian Body Language. I had no idea, but now that you've told me it goes a long way toward explaining certain rather astonishing interactions with a certain Bulgarian lady many years ago. Only now do I fully appreciate how lucky I am to have escaped with my life !

 

[efattah]

The interesting paradox of competitive freediving is that all that drive is really counterproductive when it comes to actually succeeding - you cannot freedive successfully on adrenalin.

Actually, Sebastien Murat's incredible new technique involves 100% use of fear, shock and adrenalin, to induce a massive and profound shock/vasoconstriction, resulting in truly amazing performances.

 

[cloudwalker_3]

I've been reading the the regular news on David Blaine's stunt and, (like a lot of what he does...) the whole thing leaves me feeling slightly sick.

First he sits in a box and starves himself. So what? Millions of children starve every day, but of course because they're not media savvy American personalities, no one bothers to film them.

Then he stays underwater, breathing on an air line. So what? What does the fact that he's prepared to indulge his inner masochist teach us about the world or ourselves? Nothing.

It does tell us a little about him of course. Basically he's a showman, in the true style of lots of Americans before him. It's not about wonder, beauty and fragility. It's about money, spectacle and exploitation. He's not doing it because he want to experience the wonder of swimming with fishes without breathing. He's doing it simply to make a whole pile of money.

I think the whole overt commercialisation of the thing denudes it of any worth. It's just a piece of pretty crappy theatre.

The fact that he, and his team were prepared to show a film of Audrey Mestre dying doesn't really surprise me at all. Just another cheap thrill for the sick American viewing public who demand more and more 'reality' TV because they're so bored with their own lives. If this happens to be nasty and exploitative, so be it. As long as the viewing figures are up, (and the advertisers keep paying the networks) who cares?

The tragedy of the whole thing is that all over the world television companies are moving away from quality broadcasting towards this kind of quick fix gimmicky TV is the real loser is us.