The Morbid Anatomy Museum is showcasing a collection of items relating to Howard Thurston in its exhibition Do the Spirits Return?: From Dark Arts to Sleight of Hand in Early 20th Century Stage Magic. The exhibition opens tomorrow and runs through January 5. Do the Spirits Return? focuses on what the museum explains are "the surprising relationships between 19th and early 20th century stage magic and the religion of Spiritualism, the pleasures of horror, the empowerment of women and the role of the devil," as exemplified by Thurston's work. Among the noteworthy items on view are three large stage illusions, including Thurston's sword box, one of his spirit cabinets, and the Luxor Mummy, a talking manifestation of a regal soul that would answer questions from spectators and that was used by Tampa, the magician who headlined one of Thurston's three road companies. There also are numerous photos, posters, and original designs. The materials on view are from the collection of noted Thurston collector Rory Feldman. There also is an opening party tomorrow night that will feature tours of the exhibition by its curators, magic performed by Prakash Peru, a magic videorama curated by Acep Hale, and archival film footage of Howard Thurston's stage shows.
The Morbid Anatomy Museum has created a buzz in Brooklyn recently with exhibitions of items that are unusual or, well, morbid in nature. There is a cabinet of curiosities aspect to the museum's approach, focusing on such oddities as a two-faced cat preserved in taxidermy, a Victorian scrapbook of human hair, and an entire exhibition of artworks relating to mourning culture.
The Magic in New York blog will have more on Do the Spirits? return soon. In the meantime, please enjoy the selection of items from the exhibition in the gallery below. The Museum of Morbid Anatomy is located at 424 Third Avenue at 7th Street in Brooklyn. Hours and admission information is available at: http://morbidanatomymuseum.org. Tickets for the opening party can be purchased at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1437631
The Morbid Anatomy Museum has created a buzz in Brooklyn recently with exhibitions of items that are unusual or, well, morbid in nature. There is a cabinet of curiosities aspect to the museum's approach, focusing on such oddities as a two-faced cat preserved in taxidermy, a Victorian scrapbook of human hair, and an entire exhibition of artworks relating to mourning culture.
The Magic in New York blog will have more on Do the Spirits? return soon. In the meantime, please enjoy the selection of items from the exhibition in the gallery below. The Museum of Morbid Anatomy is located at 424 Third Avenue at 7th Street in Brooklyn. Hours and admission information is available at: http://morbidanatomymuseum.org. Tickets for the opening party can be purchased at: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1437631
Items from the Exhibition Do the Spirits Return? at the Morbid Anatomy Museum, from the Collection of Rory Feldman
(Click image for full view).
(Click image for full view).
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