René Lavand

Héctor René Lavandera (24 September 1928 – 7 February 2015), known as René Lavand, was an Argentine magician, specialising in close-up magic. He was notable for performing card tricks with only one hand.

Not to be confused with Rene Lavan.
René Lavand
Lavand in Buenos Aires in 1972
Born
Héctor René Lavandera

(1928-09-24)24 September 1928
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Died7 February 2015(2015-02-07) (aged 86)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
OccupationMagician
Years active1960–2015
Known forOne-handed card tricks

Biography

Lavand was born in Buenos Aires in 1928.[1] After losing a hand at the age of nine in a car crash, Lavand slowly taught himself card manipulation, later stating, "I went through hard times, but I got an advantage, I couldn't copy anyone's techniques."[1] After working as a cashier in a bank, at the age of 32 he appeared in Buenos Aires' Tabarís Theater, following which his career took off, leading to world tours.[2]

In the United States, Lavand appeared on Ed Sullivan's and Johnny Carson's television shows and performed in shows at the Magic Castle in Hollywood.[2] The catchphrase he used for one of his most celebrated tricks was "No se puede hacer más lento" (Spanish for "it cannot be done any slower"), referencing the measured and slow pace of his performances.

In between international tours he resided in Tandil, Argentina, and adapted a railway carriage into a magic saloon where he taught the art of illusion.[2] He also co-wrote (with Richard J. Kaufman) the book Mysteries of My Life. The book is an autobiography as well as an instructional book on his magic. He received several honors from the Academy of Magical Arts: Close-up Magician of the Year (1993), Performing Fellowship (1997), and Masters Fellowship (2011).[3]

Lavand died of pneumonia at Nueva Clínica Chacabuco in Buenos Aires in 2015, aged 86.[1]

Selected filmography
  • Un oso rojo ("A Red Bear"), directed by Adrian Caetano (2002): plays 'El Turco'
  • El Gran Simulador ("The Great Pretender"), directed by Néstor Frenkel (2013): biographical film with performance excerpts and interviews with Lavand at his home

Books
  • René Lavand: Slow motion magic I (1988)
  • René Lavand: Slow motion magic II (1991)
  • René Lavand: Magic from the Soul (1993)
  • Mysteries of My Life (1998), with Richard Kaufman

References
  1. "Murió el ilusionista René Lavand, uno de los artistas más grandes de la historia de Tandil". Eleco.com.ar (in Spanish). 8 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 February 2015. Retrieved 8 February 2015 – via Wayback Machine.
  2. "Rene Lavand". ZonaMagica (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 February 2005 – via Wayback Machine.
  3. "Hall of Fame". magiccastle.com. Academy of Magical Arts. Retrieved 2 March 2023.

Further reading
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