chance
25-04-2006, 11:56
Magician David Blaine has announced plans to spend seven days submerged in a water-filled container in New York.
The illusionist, who spent 44 days in a glass box for a starvation stunt in London in 2003, will use lines giving nutrition and air to stay alive.
After one week, he will remove his air supply and attempt to break the world record for holding breath.
Blaine, 33, endured a 62-hour stint sealed in an ice block in New York's Times Square in 2003.
The magician will enter an 8ft (2.5m) high water-filled sphere on 1 May and remain submerged for a week.
Organisers say they want fans and well-wishers "to visit, touch the sphere and offer words of support".
Before climbing out of the tank, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Blaine will try to break the record for holding breath, currently set at eight minutes 58 seconds.
'Positive reaction'
Blaine's London stunt, in which he was suspended in a glass box by the river Thames, saw him heckled by crowds.
David Blaine's celebrity friends include Leonardo DiCaprio
His box was also hit by missiles including golf balls and eggs.
Blaine's spokesman Pat Smith said the magician did not expect to receive similar attacks in the star's "home town".
He said: "Anytime he's done anything in New York, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
"New Yorkers are cool about this kind of thing."
Blaine is to get a two-way audio link, allowing the media to interview him during the challenge.
The illusionist, who spent 44 days in a glass box for a starvation stunt in London in 2003, will use lines giving nutrition and air to stay alive.
After one week, he will remove his air supply and attempt to break the world record for holding breath.
Blaine, 33, endured a 62-hour stint sealed in an ice block in New York's Times Square in 2003.
The magician will enter an 8ft (2.5m) high water-filled sphere on 1 May and remain submerged for a week.
Organisers say they want fans and well-wishers "to visit, touch the sphere and offer words of support".
Before climbing out of the tank, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Blaine will try to break the record for holding breath, currently set at eight minutes 58 seconds.
'Positive reaction'
Blaine's London stunt, in which he was suspended in a glass box by the river Thames, saw him heckled by crowds.
David Blaine's celebrity friends include Leonardo DiCaprio
His box was also hit by missiles including golf balls and eggs.
Blaine's spokesman Pat Smith said the magician did not expect to receive similar attacks in the star's "home town".
He said: "Anytime he's done anything in New York, the reaction has been overwhelmingly positive.
"New Yorkers are cool about this kind of thing."
Blaine is to get a two-way audio link, allowing the media to interview him during the challenge.