About me
My work explores magic as an emotional, sensory and cognitive phenomenon that occurs in the spectator’s perception. I am interested in how a performance can momentarily shift the way we perceive reality and open space for doubt, imagination and reflection.
I see magic as a powerful artistic language. When placed within a theatrical framework, it becomes a tool to question how narratives are constructed and how easily our perception can be guided, manipulated or transformed.
I graduated from Bournemouth University (UK) in 2019 and later completed a postgraduate degree in Political Science and International Relations at NOVA FCSH (Lisbon). These studies deepened my interest in the mechanisms through which societies construct narratives, produce meaning and negotiate what we accept as reality.
Before dedicating myself fully to artistic creation, I worked within the field of diplomacy, integrating the team of the Embassy of Portugal in London. That experience strengthened my awareness of how stories, representations and narratives shape the way we understand the world.
At the same time, I continued a practice that had accompanied me since childhood: the study of magic.
I approach magic largely as an autodidact, learning through practice, research and dialogue with international artists. One of the most important influences in my artistic development has been Dani DaOrtiz, whose work explores magic as a deeply psychological experience constructed inside the spectator’s mind.
Over time, my practice has evolved through the creation of performances where magic and theatre coexist. Many of my earlier works explored the dramaturgical potential of small portable objects, particularly the deck of cards, which I used as a symbolic and performative instrument to investigate perception and narrative.
A turning point in my artistic path came through my relationship with Teatro O Bando. Through residencies and collaboration, I deepened my exploration of physical theatre, character creation and stage presence, particularly through the training Consciência do Ator em Cena.
This encounter helped expand my understanding of performance beyond magic, opening a dialogue between theatre, physical action and perceptual experience.
Today my artistic work continues to explore this intersection between magic, theatre and imagination.
I create characters that engage with magic as if it were a living force. Through them, objects move, images appear, and the stage becomes a place where the boundaries between the visible and the invisible remain intentionally unstable.
My current research expands this practice toward larger scenic mechanisms, animated objects and projected imagery, exploring how contemporary technologies — including artificial intelligence for image generation — can become part of a poetic language of magic on stage.
MagoBartolomeu 