ILLUSIONS: The Art of Magic
The exhibition takes on the period of magic shows’ golden age and its advertising and promotional mechanisms that relied on phantasmagoric imagery. Discover a selection of breathtaking posters featured for the first time in Canada, mostly dating from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, that retraces the social history of this still active phenomenon.
These posters, halfway between art and advertisement, are magnificent, large format chromolithographs that immortalise the most popular magicians of the era –the Herrmanns, Kellar, Chung Ling Soo, Thurston and, of course, Houdini– as well as the acts that marked the world of modern magic.
Each section of the exhibition explores a specific type of illusion: appearance and disappearance, decapitation, levitation, escapes, and mental phenomena.
For this exhibition, the McCord Museum showcases part of its extraordinary collection of posters and documents on the theme of magic. Acquired recently thanks to La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso, the Allan Slaight Collection is the only one of its magnitude in Canada; it comprises 600 posters and more than 1,000 documents and rare books. The collection was named in honour of the Canadian businessman and magic enthusiast Allan Slaight.
Acquisition made possible by La Fondation Emmanuelle Gattuso.
Discover ILLUSIONS: The Art of Magic with Luc Langevin, ambassador of the exhibition.
What people are saying about it
« An exhibit that all but demands a generous deployment of the very adjectives and exclamation marks seen on so many of its posters. It’s triumphant! Marvellous! Mesmeric! » Montreal Gazette
« A fascinating new collection. » CTV News Montreal
Guided Tours
Introduction to the Exhibition
In English: every day at 12:30 p.m.
In French: Monday to Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday to Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
Please note that schedule is subject to change without notice.
Cultural mediators are also available to answer question.
Hands-On Workshops
Every Sunday From 11 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Sunday Workshops
Free for children 12 and under, it is offered in French and English. During the workshops, children can try out the basics of magic tricks and invent a magician character whom they will then illustrate on a small poster, with the exhibition Illusions: The Art of Magic.
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Tales
Every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Story Hour for Families
Free for children 12 and under. Families are invited to come and hear tales related to the Museum’s exhibitions that will unleash the imagination. Every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. (in French) and 2 p.m. (in English).
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Outdoor Self-guided Tour
Discover 13 Montreal Magic Venues
Continue your visit outdoors and take The art of magic walking tour, one of MTL Urban Museum outdoor self-guided tours available on the McCord Museum app. Step into the past and discover 13 Montreal magic venues!
Discover the tour
Poster Contest
Until November 12, 2017
HOUDINI – THE LAST SHOW
Are you passionate about graphic design and the art of posters? Get a chance to win over $1,500 in prizes and to see your creation on display at the McCord Museum!
In need of inspiration? Visit the exhibition. Contest rules here.
BOOK
Illusions
Published in conjunction with the exhibition, a 248-page linen hardcover book about magic features some 230 colour reproductions of posters from the Allan Slaight Collection and includes essays by experts.
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EXHIBITION PARTNER OFFER
PASSEPORT MTL
Enjoy the city by visiting its must-see attractions, transportation included.
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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
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