Books by Lan Morgan
Conjuring the Spirit World Art, Magic, and Mediums
by Tony Oursler, George H. Schwartz, Tedi Asher, Christopher Jones, Lan Morgan, Jennifer Lemmer Posey, Mark Schwartz
Posters, photography, and objects from the height of Spiritualism and the history of magic gain renewed power when seen through today’s lens.
The human desire to connect with the dead since the mid-19th century gave rise to a fascination with the supernatural and the magical. Mediums and magicians from Harry Houdini, Margery the Medium, Howard Thurston, and the Fox Sisters offered “communication” with the departed at séances and magic shows, two interrelated forms of popular culture that relied heavily on illusions and stagecraft.
This is the first illustrated volume to gather the art and objects that made medium and magician performances iconic during the Spiritualism movement and beyond, a time when people actively debated and wondered, "can spirits return?" An international selection of paintings, photographs, posters, stage apparatuses, film, publications, and other objects reveal how audiences were entranced and mystified by these experiential performances, captivating willing believers and garnering skeptics as they navigated the intersecting realms of science and spirituality. From the origins of the iconic Oujia board to spirit photography, this book is a treasure trove.
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Gathering The Carl and Betty Pforzheimer Collection of Studio Glass
by Lan Morgan, Peabody Essex Museum, Sarah N. Chasse
A lavishly illustrated book highlighting some of the best works of contemporary studio glass
The Peabody Essex Museum (PEM) in Salem, Massachusetts, is the oldest continually operating museum in the United States and has been collecting glass art and objects since its founding in 1799. Celebrating Carl and Betty Pforzheimer's landmark gift of 220 works of studio glass, this publication positions PEM as a significant American destination for contemporary glass.
Two essays contextualize the Pforzheimers' gift within the 225-year trajectory of PEM's glass collecting and the larger history of international and American glass movements. Accompanying the essays is a lavishly illustrated catalog of seventy highlighted artworks punctuated with object entries and quotes that center artists and their practice. By showcasing the works and contributions of the influential artists represented in the collection, the publication reinforces the Pforzheimers' close relationships with artists as the foundation of their collecting practice.
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