Renowned artist Tony Oursler has turned a former synagogue on Manhattan’s Lower East Side into a treasure trove of historic material related to magic, spirituality, and the occult. What started as a small collection of slides and fliers five decades ago has now grown into an extensive archive of between 3,000 and 5,000 pieces.
Oursler, known for his innovative installations combining video, sculpture, and projections, has a personal connection to illusionism through his grandfather, Fulton Oursler, a mystery writer and magician. Inspired by his family history and artistic interests, Oursler’s collection includes ephemera on topics such as color theory, UFOs, automatic writing, and more.
Recently, Oursler’s collection caught the attention of the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Mass., where several boxes of spirit photos, seance drawings, and manuscripts are set to be featured in an upcoming exhibition titled “Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums.” Additionally, Oursler’s archive served as inspiration for a series of installations at the Boca Raton Museum of Art in Florida, exploring themes of fairies, crystals, and historic hoaxes.
Among the highlights of Oursler’s collection are rare spirit photos taken during seances, a Polaroid of an apparition of the Virgin Mary, and a photo of Mary Todd Lincoln being visited by the spirit of Abraham Lincoln. Oursler also treasures items related to his grandfather, including a handwritten note from Arthur Conan Doyle and a wand gifted to his brother by Harry Houdini.
One of the most sought-after pieces in Oursler’s collection is a memoir from the 1830s by Étienne-Gaspard Robertson, a pioneer of the Phantasmagoria, a form of theatrical spook shows using magic lanterns to project images of spirits. Oursler had been searching for this book since the late 1990s, highlighting his dedication to preserving and exploring the history of magic and illusion.
Overall, Oursler’s collection serves as a fascinating glimpse into the world of the occult, spirituality, and pseudoscience, reflecting the ever-evolving beliefs and practices of society. His unique archive is not only a personal passion but also a valuable resource for scholars and art enthusiasts alike.
