Magician and endurance performer David Blaine has announced that his latest stunt – the first he has attempted in a decade – will see him holding a bunch of helium balloons as he aims to float over the Hudson River.
The stunt will be called ‘Ascension’ and David has been working on the challenge – which will see him fly over the Hudson River from New Jersey to New York City by nothing but the power of helium balloons.
The stunt is a departure from David’s usual style, which has previously seen him be buried alive, encased in ice and trapped underwater. By using balloons he hopes to achieve a more upbeat, feel-good response from his audience, capitalising on the goodwill and positivity that balloons bring.
“David Blaine will redefine magic once again for an unprecedented live event at a time when the world could use a positive distraction,” his YouTube channel states. “He will bring wonder, hope, and untethered possibility as he tackles his most ambitious and revolutionary feat yet.”
A trailer teaser – which can be seen below – states that the balloon-based stunt: “Worry becomes wonder, anxiety turns to awe, and the mundane becomes the magical.”
David has created this latest event with his daughter in mind, saying that it has been created ‘to inspire her, rather than scare her’. It will air live on August 31 on his YouTube channel.