Animal Magnetism

Uses Franz Anton Mesmer’s 1874 dissertation on "animal gravity" as a launching point to explore the work of nine artists.

Oreet Ashery
Karlos Carcamo
Andrea Frank
Scott Lifshutz
Douglas Kelley
Emma McCagg
Paul Mullins
Dan Perrone
Liselot Van der Heijden

Curated by Raúl Zamudio

At CUCHIFRITOS art gallery/project space.

February 11 - March 25, 2006

Opening reception:Saturday, February 11, 4-6pm
Open daily, Monday through Saturday 12:00 noon to 5:30pm. Closed Sundays

Animal magnetism, which has also been called mesmerism, was based on the therapeutic value of hypnotism. The term first appears in Franz Anton Mesmer’s 1874 dissertation in regards to the influence of heavenly bodies on humans and their physical, mental and emotional health by means of what he called "animal gravity." This “energy” that he detected was different from physical magnetism in that Mesmer believed that he could "magnetize" paper, glass, dogs and all manner of animate and inanimate objects and substances. He regarded this force, which he said could be exerted by one living organism over another, as a means of alleviating disease. His propositions were as follows: "There exists a mutual influence between the celestial bodies, the earth, and animated things. Animal bodies are susceptible to the influence of this agent, disseminating itself through the substance of the nerves." In the contemporary lexicon, animal magnetism also refers to sexuality in that a person can have such seductive qualities that he/she can bring out the carnal nature of a person via their animal magnetism.

Animal Magnetism explores these topics as well as the zoomorphic dimension of humans and the anthropomorphizing of animals.

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs was made possible by the following:

The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, The New York City Economic Development Corporation, The Puffin Foundation, the Elizabeth Firestone Graham Foundation, The Greenwall Foundation, and the members of the Artists Alliance Incorporated.

CUCHIFRITOS is a project of Artists Alliance Inc.

1-Karlos_Carcamo.jpg	2-Paul_Mullins.jpg	3a-Dan_Perrone.jpg	3b-Dan_Perrone.jpg
4-Andrea_Frank.jpg	5-L_van_der_Heijden.jpg	6-Scott_Lifshutz.jpg	7-Emma_McCagg.jpg