A master illusionist is planning to cast her magical spell on Dubai's most iconic landmark — Burj Al Arab.
Meet Dubai-based Daniela Maxova, regarded as Europe's female David Copperfield, who claims she can make the 1,050-foot tall hotel building vanish into thin air. "In the magical realm of illusions, anything is possible. I have studied the hotel very closely and I reckon I can make it disappear. Every bit as hard as it sounds, I think it's possible," says Maxova.
Over the years, the 33-year-old Czech has won many awards for her jaw-dropping acts, including motorbike disappearance and car levitation acts, which were originally created and mastered by Copperfield himself.
But now Maxova has set her sights on a much bigger feat. And the Burj Al Arab, with its enduring legacy, fits the bill perfectly.
NO MEAN FEAT
"What David Copperfield [acclaimed magician] did to the Statue of Liberty I can do to Burj Al Arab.
"Of course, it won't be easy to pull it off and will require a Herculean effort on my part in terms of logistics, planning and seeking permission," says Maxova, who used to work with Copperfield in Prague during the late 1990s and has also starred in over 100 TV shows.
Besides performing magic shows for royal families in Japan and the Middle East, Maxova has also done private shows for the family of the late popstar Michael Jackson.
But does she herself believe in magic?
"If you are talking about supernatural forces, no. Magic is nothing but a clever way of presenting things. It's about creating illusions and distractions. It comes with lot of practice," she says.
