The Art of Illusions

Pre-cinematic Entertainment in Mexico
An Illustrated Lecture by José Antonio Rodríguez
Saturday, June 16th
8 o ’clock pm
Tickets $12 {$10 VPES Members}
Advance tickets are highly recommended and are available at
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/242705
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The Velaslavasay Panorama welcomes José Antonio Rodríguez, who will be here to present an illustrated lecture about pre-cinematic entertainment in Mexico.

Having conducted research on the subject for many years, José Antonio Rodríguez will talk about the multitudinous forms of optical magic, including the magic lantern, diorama, cosmorama, panorama and scientific spectacles which were once popular throughout Mexico and beyond. Professor Rodríguez will discuss the entertainments and forms of visual culture in the eighteenth century as they were experienced in Mexico, which inspired and made possible the proliferation of moving images. He will also address the archaeology of visual media which encouraged the later popularity of the Kinetoscope and the Cinematograph in nineteenth century Mexico. In essence, "The Art of Illusions" will present ideas about how our encounters with visual spectacles guide us in constructing our own vision of the world.

José Antonio Rodríguez is an Art History professor of at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) and the author of the landmark publication The Art of Illusions: Pre-cinematic Entertainment in Mexico published through the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico. He is also the author of Edward Weston: The Look of Rupture; Bernice Kolko: Photographer; Ruth D. Lechuga: A Mexican Memory; and Agustin Jimenez: Memories of the Avant-Garde. He is also the editor of the magazine Alquimia, amongst other works. This will be Professor Rodríguez's first appearance in Los Angeles.

This presentation has been funded in part by The Department of Cultural affairs of the City of Los Angeles, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and The Velaslavasay Panorama Enthusiast Society.