TALK: Electric Wonder Shows
Fred Nadis (Visiting Researcher, UCSB)
Tuesday, February 7 / 5:00 PM
101C Old Gym
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Fred Nadis’ recent book, Wonder Shows: Performing Science, Magic, and Religion in America (2005), looks at the history of shows that combined marvels of science and technology with wonders of the human mind. He argues these shows linked popular notions of scientific progress to millennial ideas about the restoration of humanity to grace. Included in his study are 19th century traveling electrical showmen, mesmerists, hypnotists, mind readers, and 20th century variants at world’s fairs and New Age festivals.

Sponsored by the IHC’s Performance Studies Research Focus Group.

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