HYPE: Houdini Is Coming!

[sdelmonte]

So it's time for an update about the upcoming Houdini exhibition at The Jewish Museum. I think the best way to do that is to send you here, so you can read the exhibition press release. Or you can go here for the current web page about the show. (A much more comprehensive web page will be unveiled soon.)

But here are the highlights so far:

- On view here from October 29 to March 27, after which it goes to LA, San Francisco, and Madison, Wisconsin (near Houdini's boyhood home of Appleton, WI).

- The bulk of the show is artifacts, photos, posters, and other objects that present an overview of Houdini's life. Highlights include his Metamorphosis Trunk, a milk can, and a re-creation of the Water Torture Chamber (alas, the original was destroyed in a fire).

- Clips from the three silent movies Houdini made will be on view, as will footage of his straitjacket escapes and a clip of his voice.

- An unique feature of the show will be 26 contemporary works of art inspired by Houdini.

- The audio guide is narrated by Dr. Horrible himself, Neil Patrick Harris. (Did you know that in addition to being an insanely talented actor and singer, he's also an amateur magician?) Contributors to the audio guide also include David Blaine and the Amazing Randi.

- The website will offer a good glimpse of the show for those of you who can't come, and will include clips from the films and audio guide.

Want to know more? We are expecting coverage of the show on Morning Edition Saturday on October 30 and on CBS Sunday Morning on October 31. (It was not by design that the show opens Halloween weekend - October 31 also being the anniversary of Houdini's death - but it works out very nicely for us.)

I plan to keep you updated, as some other fun things are in the works. And if you are able to come and see the show, I hope to see you (if you come on a weekday).

Comments

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

I am so excited for this show!

[sdelmonte]

BTW, I finished Carter Beats the Devil. Really good stuff. Now I want to re-read The Prestige (minus the framing sequences) and Eisenheim the Illusionist.

Also, Glen David Gold wrote a second novel last year about Charlie Chaplin, called Sunnyside. Guess what I plan to find next (well, after Cryoburn).

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

I have a copy of Sunnyside, but I haven't read it yet. If you want to borrow it, I can swap it out for my copy of Carter.

I agree with you about the framing sequences on The Prestige, but I haven't read Eisenheim the Illusionist. Do you have it?

[sdelmonte]

Actually, you have that book already. Or rather, the book of short stories that includes Eisenheim. I borrowed it (and returned it) from you a couple of years ago. It's in Milhauser's book, The Barnum Museum.

[ladymondegreen.livejournal.com]

Huh. I must have read it, unless it's at the very end of the book? I got kind of fed up with the recurring themes.

[sdelmonte]

It is indeed the last story. And it is related to the film, but not closely.

[silveraspen]

This sounds so awesome! Hopefully I can get back to the city before the end of the exhibit.