Magic Tricks Amuse in Extraordinary Times

In this 9 minute interview Bill Kalush walks you through the Conjuring Arts Library and into the “rare book room” where he talks about magic’s earliest feats dating back 5,000 years ago up until modern times where a discussion takes place on how technology has transformed magic.

“We live in a time where we expect to see amazing things before our eyes, like space ships streaking between stars. Dinosaurs returning to life. Whole planets blossoming with beautiful blue people. So how do you expect to impress people just by sawing someone in half or picking the ace of spades out of a deck of cards? Host Scott Simon visits the Conjuring Arts Research Center in New York to talk with director and magician William Kalush.” – Scott Simon, NPR

Special thanks to Alex Pandrea for the wonderful vintage photography.