A Short History of Magic and Conjuring - Draoidheachd agus geasan: Eachdraidh Ghoirid

An exhibition giving a fascinating glimpse into the history of stage magic opens at Inverness Museum and Art Gallery on 14th November and runs until 19th December.

The "Now you see it..." exhibition pays homage to the close-up conjuror whose illusions can include anything from sleight-of-hand card tricks to the swallowing of razor blades. It charts the history of the magician from the early days of the street entertainer - or pickpocket - through the exotic world of the music hall to today.

On display is a variety of theatre apparatus, old and new, used in the performance of illusions, including a Zig Zag Girl and a collection of head, hand and finger-choppers.

These pieces are complimented by a choice collection of old and rare magic books including a first edition of ‘Scot’s Discoverie of Witchcraft’ dated 1584 and a copy of an elusive book by the magician Robert Harbin.

Bringing the exhibition into the 21st century is a film piece produced especially for the show by artists Graeme Roger and Kevin Reid who take a more contemporary view. Edinburgh based artist Sharon Whyte is also showing 15 screen prints entitled “A sage of the stage, not a beast in a cage”. These works are based on the theme of animals on stage in the 18th and 19th century. An installation of magic mirrors created by Arts in Motion round off the show and globally-travelled magician Matthew Fraser will entertain at the Private View.

Many of the pieces on show, which span over a century of conjuring memorabilia, are selections from the private collections of Adrian Harris and Inverness magician John Haydock.

This Highland Council touring exhibition, curated by magician Dean Melville, is a visual dip into what magic and magicians have given us, including some of the illusions which have proved to be classics over the years and which are still being performed today all over the world.

Following its viewing in the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery from the 14th November to 19th December 2009, the exhibition will go on display at the St Fergus Gallery, Wick Library from the 19th January to 20th February 2010.