David Blaine Begins Electrified Million-Volt Stunt

Illusionist David Blaine embarks on his 72-hour, million-volt stunt in New York City. The endurance artist began his electrical voyage this Friday night, on Pier 54 in Manhattan.

Blaine describes Electrified as “one of the craziest things that I ever dreamed up,” as he puts on a chain mail bodysuit, a helmet and goggles to protect his vision, hearing and body parts from the effects of electricity currents generated by large Tesla coils.

The 39-year-old daredevil is to stand in the middle of an electric storm generated by an electromagnetic field for at least three days.

Asked if he feels any pain while sitting on the column, seven metallic orbs streaming electric currents around him, he described the experience as being “Like somebody is punching you as hard as they can at the back of your head.”

Many claim the experiment is in fact very safe, as long as Blaine wears protective gear, although some risks have been identified.