The Smoke Clears: Unveiling the Secrets of ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ and the Magic Behind Art

As magic rose as a performing art in the 19th and 20th centuries, its principles became clearer and more properly defined. Fundamental deceptions like misdirection, sleight of hand, and the various techniques of vanishes, reappearances, and mind-reading all added to the performance repertoire of the modern illusionist. Dr. Ross Karlan, Director of Art Muse LA in Miami, offers a history of magic as a performing art – separate from, yet related to, the history of sorcery and witchcraft. As a Magic Castle member, he offers insight into the art that makes up the Smoke & Mirrors exhibition, looking at the magic principles at play, the tricks behind the art, and the deeper history of the works on view.