American Magic-Lantern Theater

JUN 22 MON: 07:00pm; Hammer Presents

American Magic-Lantern Theater

The Darker Side of LIght Exhibition
Related Program

"An incredible experience . . . If they come to your town, don't miss them. They're a living national treasure." -National Public Radio

Inspired by the Hammer exhibition The Darker Side of Light, the American Magic-Lantern Theater performs a Victorian era Magic-Lantern show, replete with flying ghosts, macabre goblins, and a petrifying rendition of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven. Using original glass slides and a spectacular antique Magic-Lantern, the AMLT re-creates this popular 1890’s combination of projected color images, dramatic storytelling, live music, hilarious comedy, and frightening special effects.

Alongside The American Magic Lantern Theatre's performance the museum will present a special one-evening exhibition of rare magic lanterns, slides and related paraphernalia from the collection of UCLA Design | Media Arts Professor Erkki Huhtamo. Professor Huhtamo's personal collection is one of the most extensive in the United States, and contains many rare items related to the history of visual media and optical projections. The exhibition will feature representative examples of magic lantern projectors both from Europe and the United States, a selection of slides, including a unique set of early nineteenth-century mechanical Phantasmagoria ghost projection slides, accessories such as illuminants, engravings depicting lantern shows and lanternists, broadsides, tickets, and more! Most of the items are shown publicly for the first time.

ALL HAMMER PUBLIC PROGRAMS ARE FREE. Tickets are required, and are available at the Billy Wilder Theater Box Office one hour prior to start time. Limit one ticket per person on a first come, first served basis. Hammer members receive priority seating, subject to availability. Reservations not accepted, RSVPs not required.

Parking is available under the museum for $3 after 6:00p.m.

Public programs are made possible, in part, by a major gift from Ann and Jerry Moss.

Additional support is provided by Bronya and Andrew Galef, Good Works Foundation and Laura Donnelley, an anonymous donor, and the Hammer Programs Committee.