Hey guys, here's a quick update.
Tomorrow, Saturday March 15th I'll have a piece in a Houdini themed show at Brooklyn's Gristle Tattoo. The show marks the anniversary of his controversial Mirror Escape, and artists were encouraged to make pieces inspired by this trick or the man himself. As should be obvious if you follow this blog, I pounced on the opportunity to make a piece influenced by one of my favorite stories; Under the Pyramids (aka Imprisoned With the Pharaohs)! Here's what I did (expect this in poster form with Collection II):
The show was curated by Samantha Levin and here's her write up about it:
On
March 17, 1904, the American icon, Harry Houdini, accepted a challenge
from London’s Daily Illustrated Mirror to attempt an escape from a
special set of handcuffs that had taken five years to make and that “no
mortal man could pick.” From within his “ghost house,” that sat on the
stage, Houdini spent an hour attempting to escape these cuffs, stepping
out now and again, once to remove his coat, other times to clear his
mind. At one point during the event, he stepped out to greet his loving
wife who had come onto the stage to give him an encouraging kiss. Long
after his wife’s appearance on stage, Houdini emerged free from the
cuffs, and cried in front of his audience, exclaiming that this had been
his most difficult challenge to date. Although it had taken him awhile
to emerge uncuffed after his wife’s kiss, the rumor spread that she had
smuggled him the key in her mouth.
The rumor about the key has never been proven. The item was too large to have fit in the lady’s mouth, so it’s not likely to be true, yet the strength of the romanticism surrounding such a story has allowed it to endure. Houdini’s entire career revolved around such dramatic mysteries, his charismatic ability to engage his audience and, of course, to escape the inescapable and endure the unendurable.
Houdini was a superman of his time; a man who accomplished the impossible in front of the wide eyes of the immigrants, poor and underdogs with whom he felt akin. His stunts were astounding in and of themselves - even his doubters couldn’t look away from him - yet his entire career and persona were metaphorical, symbolizing “...freedom to those seeking release from religious and political oppression,” offering a way of escape to all who felt trapped in an unfair life.
The Elusive Key is a group exhibition of artworks that celebrate the mystique and hope that surrounded Houdini everywhere during his life, and 88 years after his death. Scheduled to take place around the 110th anniversary of the Mirror handcuff escape, this show is an exhibition of magic, mystique and wonder that points towards the belief that anything can happen.
The rumor about the key has never been proven. The item was too large to have fit in the lady’s mouth, so it’s not likely to be true, yet the strength of the romanticism surrounding such a story has allowed it to endure. Houdini’s entire career revolved around such dramatic mysteries, his charismatic ability to engage his audience and, of course, to escape the inescapable and endure the unendurable.
Houdini was a superman of his time; a man who accomplished the impossible in front of the wide eyes of the immigrants, poor and underdogs with whom he felt akin. His stunts were astounding in and of themselves - even his doubters couldn’t look away from him - yet his entire career and persona were metaphorical, symbolizing “...freedom to those seeking release from religious and political oppression,” offering a way of escape to all who felt trapped in an unfair life.
The Elusive Key is a group exhibition of artworks that celebrate the mystique and hope that surrounded Houdini everywhere during his life, and 88 years after his death. Scheduled to take place around the 110th anniversary of the Mirror handcuff escape, this show is an exhibition of magic, mystique and wonder that points towards the belief that anything can happen.
The artist list is impressive and intimidating:
Allison Sommers - Anthony Pontius
- Christina Graf - Caitlyn Karolczak
- Gothic Hangman - Jeremy Hush
- Josh Harker
Julianna Menna - Max Kahan - Michal Brodka - Nicomi Nix Turner - Paul Romano - Robert Kraiza - Ronnie Ray
Julianna Menna - Max Kahan - Michal Brodka - Nicomi Nix Turner - Paul Romano - Robert Kraiza - Ronnie Ray
So if you're in NYC, North Jersey or Connecticut come visit. I'll be brooding in the corner somewhere!
Opening reception: March 15th, 6-9
On view from March 15th - April 11th, 2014
Gristle Tattoo
178 N 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211: http://
info@gristletattoo.com phone: 347.889.6422
Curated by Samantha Levin: http://
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