Jonathan Allen
Anne Walsh
Chris Kubik
Zoe Beloff
Ansuman Biswas
Jem Finer
Joan Brossa
Rick Buckley
Brian Catling
Center for Tactical Magic
Jackie Chapwoman
Denise Chapwoman
Tom Friedman
Brian Griffiths
Colin Guillemet
Joao Maria Gusmao
Pedro Paiva
Susan Hiller
Alexandra Hopf
Christian Jankowski
Janice Kerbel
Annika Lundgren
Juan Munoz
Bruce Nauman
Ian Saville
Ariel Schlesinger
Suzanne Treister
Sinta Werner
Jonathan Allen
Sally O'Reilly
Magic Show features work by 24 international artists, with new commissions and an archive of historical posters, curious props and offbeat ephemera from the world of theatrical magic. Artworks and artefacts flourish in the grey area between fact and fiction, and demonstrate the potential of trickery and illusion to overturn logical thought. Curated by artist Jonathan Allen and writer Sally O'Reilly.
Curated by artist Jonathan Allen and writer Sally O’Reilly
For some, the idea of magic suggests fantasy and illusion, while for others it signals a license to practice deception. Magic Show considers these aspects intertwined, how both art and magic employ perception-shifting tactics that exploit the power of suggestion. Artists, like magicians, manipulate and mystify not simply for entertainment, but to redress fundamental relationships within the social, political or cultural realm.
Magic Show features work by 24 international artists, with new commissions and an archive of historical posters, curious props and offbeat ephemera from the world of theatrical magic. Artworks and artefacts flourish in the grey area between fact and fiction, and demonstrate the potential of trickery and illusion to overturn logical thought.
Jonathan Allen, Archive (Anne Walsh & Chris Kubik), Zoe Beloff, Ansuman Biswas & Jem Finer, Joan Brossa, Rick Buckley, Brian Catling, Center for Tactical Magic, Jackie & Denise Chapwoman, Tom Friedman, Brian Griffiths, Colin Guillemet, João Maria Gusmão & Pedro Paiva, Susan Hiller, Alexandra Hopf, Christian Jankowski, Janice Kerbel, Annika Lundgren, Juan Muñoz, Bruce Nauman, Ian Saville, Ariel Schlesinger, Suzanne Treister and Sinta Werner.
Image: Bruce Nauman, Failing, 1966
Magic Show is a Hayward Touring exhibition from Southbank Centre, London on behalf of Arts Council England.
Curators Tour Tuesday 5 October 2010, 5:45pm - 6:30pm
Preview: Tuesday 5 October 2010, 6.30 - 8.30pm
Pump House Gallery
Battersea Park, London
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday and Bank Holidays 11am - 5pm
Friday and Saturday 11am - 4pm