Harry Houdini remains an iconic American figure nearly a century after his death. Houdini was one of this young county’s most prominent international celebrities at the turn of the 20th century. Despite Houdini’s lasting fame as an escapist, magician, movie actor and producer, he has never been the subject of a major art exhibition until now.
From October 29th to March 27th, the Jewish Museum is hosting Houdini: Art and Magic to commemorate the man and the legend that continues to surround him . The Jewish Museum is a fitting venue for the first major art exhibit dedicated to Harry Houdini (born Ehrich Weiss), a hero of New York’s early Jewish and Eastern European immigrants. The museum is located in the Upper East Side, a very popular and prestigious neighborhood with plenty of accommodations.
Houdini: Art and Magic features archival footage, photos and promotional posters dating back to the day’s when Houdini would travel the world performing magic and thrilling on-lookers with Chinese-Water-Torture-cell escapes. In addition to the archival pieces displayed for the exhibit are contemporary works that are inspired by Houdini’s feats, proving that the man that died in 1926 still has a lasting effect on popular culture and artwork. If for nothing else, guests should come to the New York exhibit to investigate their own misconceptions about the self-promoting star. Visitors can examine the footage of Houdini in action to see exactly why he has had such a lasting effect on the American psyche. Perhaps most importantly, guests may come away with a greater understanding and appreciation for the immigrant, showman and self-made an Harry Houdini was.
New York Habitat still has apartments available for the fall season all across Manhattan, here are a few to get your search going before all of the foliage disappears like a Houdini trick:
– This 1-bedroom rental apartment in Midtown West-Chelsea (NY-14067) features state-of-the-art appliances and oriental St Laurent stone flooring.
– This charming alcove studio apartment rental in East Village-Lower East Side (NY-8557) features exposed brick walls and a cozy feel.
– This 2-bedroom accommodation in Hamilton Heights, Uptown (NY-12770) is housed in an iconic Harlem brownstone and feels more like a home than an apartment.
Will there ever be another magician who enjoys the celebrity and reknown of Harry Houdini, or has that era simply passed? Please comment.
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