In an age where misinformation and deception have become increasingly pervasive, the Boca Raton Museum of Art is set to unravel the secrets behind illusion and trickery with its upcoming exhibition, “Smoke and Mirrors: Magical Thinking in Contemporary Art.” This thought-provoking showcase will be on display at the museum from November 18, 2023, to May 12, 2024, shedding light on the world of conspiracy theories, deep fakes, and “alternative facts.”
The exhibition, curated by the museum’s Senior Curator Kathleen Goncharov and supported by a Tieger Foundation grant, brings together works by 30 contemporary artists who explore the fascinating intersection of magic and art. From the mesmerizing fibreglass ‘merma’ by Tony Oursler to levitating women depicted by Sarah Charlesworth, the exhibition delves deep into the realms of deception, exposing the parallels between historical periods of magical thinking and our present era marked by misinformation and crises like climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Irvin Lippman, the Executive Director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art, explained, “The correlation between magic and art making has always loomed large, and this exhibition takes this idea one step further, revealing strong connections between today and earlier periods in history when crises led to magical thinking.” He emphasized the relevance of the exhibition’s theme in highlighting the prevalence of “alternative facts” in today’s world.
A central piece in the exhibition is Tony Oursler’s video installation “Imponderable” (2015–16), a captivating juxtaposition of the occult and technology. This installation, last presented at MoMA in New York, delves into Oursler’s family history, including his grandfather’s role in exposing the trickery used in séances during World War I.
“The Amazing Randi,” a prominent figure in the world of skepticism and magic, also takes center stage. Randi, who lived near the museum, famously offered a million-dollar prize to anyone who could prove a supernatural ability. The exhibition explores his transformation from conjuror to “sceptical educator.”
One particularly compelling work, “In Event of Moon Disaster” (2019) by Francesca Panetta and Halsey Burgund, utilizes deepfake technology to reimagine the Apollo 11 moon landing—a subject rife with conspiracy theories. Panetta expressed her hope that the work would encourage critical awareness among viewers, urging them to question what they see and hear in an era characterized by technological manipulation.
“Smoke and Mirrors” also features interactive installations, such as Jeanette Andrews’ piece inspired by the declassified CIA Manual of Trickery and Deception and Glenn Kaino’s portrait of magician Ricky Jay, created by throwing playing cards at the wall. Additionally, Sarah Charlesworth’s “Natural Magic” series of photographs, including the image of a levitating woman, adds another layer to the exploration of illusion and artistry.
As Irvin Lippman aptly summed it up, “Art itself is a process of alchemy, transforming physical medium into illusions of beauty, messages that have the power to both inspire and manipulate audiences.” “Smoke and Mirrors: Magical Thinking in Contemporary Art” promises to be a captivating and enlightening experience for all who seek to uncover the mysteries of perception and reality in the modern world.
