Now available at
RAM Publications and
1301PE is Diana Thater's catalogue
Between Science and Magic. The catalogue includes installation images of Diana Thater's "
Between Science and Magic" (2010) as well as documentation of the work's production. In addition to an interview between Diana Thater and Pernilla Holmes, there is an essay by Helen Varola following the history of the illustrious trick 'pulling a rabbit out of a hat'. According to Varola's essay, this illusion began with a notorious incident surrounding "the bizarre pregnancy of
Mary Toft," a woman who in the early 18th century faked giving birth to rabbits, a deception she even performed for the king of England.
Reversible book jacket for Diana Thater's Between Science and Magic
Installation of "Between Science and Magic" at the Santa Monica Museum of Art
Production images in catalogue
Mary Toft
Much of the spectacle and movie magic discussed in Diana Thater's catalogue can be experienced a few blocks away from 1301PE at the
National Wushu Training Center II near La Brea and Olympic Blvd. The National Wushu Training Center is an edifice that includes a training center for children and adults of all levels, Chinese themed offices and changing rooms, a green screen room for filming fighting scenes, a white room for photographing movie posters, and a screening room for editing footage and premiering movies.
Training room for National Wushu Training Center II.
Filming stage
Filming stage with green screen
White room
Screening room
Many stunt seminars are held at the National Wushu Training Center. Above is an image of training for high falls. Eric Chen, the head coach at the National Wushu Training Center, has choreographed for many Hollywood movies, including Rush Hour 3, Shanghai Noon, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Kung Fu Panda among others.
Mark Dacascos, the chairman of Food Network's Iron Chef, is also a member of the National Wushu's Impact Stunt Team
Mark Dacascos as the chairman on Iron Chef with chefs Todd English and Mario Batali
Many stunt seminars are held at the National Wushu Training Center. Above is an image of training for high falls. Eric Chen, the head coach at the National Wushu Training Center, has choreographed for many Hollywood movies, including Rush Hour 3, Shanghai Noon, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Kung Fu Panda among others.
Mark Dacascos, the chairman of Food Network's Iron Chef, is also a member of the National Wushu's Impact Stunt Team
Mark Dacascos as the chairman on Iron Chef with chefs Todd English and Mario Batali
