Houdini Museum, Scranton PA, and Dorothy Dietrich Featured in Media Arts

Showing in New York City

Houdini Museum, Scranton PA, Featured In Media Arts Exhibit, "women boxed" In New York City.
An Arts project about woman's rights and women's equality. Opens Valentines Day, February 14,
until April 7, 2017. Using the magic trick of sawing a woman in half as a metaphor, and includes
footage of the renowned female magician, Dorothy Dietrich.

New York City, NY, United States., February 13, 2017 -- ISCP Exhibition opens Valentines Day,
February 14April 7, 2017, Media Artist Elaine Byrne's "women boxed".The International Studio &
Curatorial Program announces the opening of "women boxed", an exhibition of work by artist
Elaine Byrne, in ISCP's first floor space. "women boxed" is a three-channel video installation, that
invites dialogue about women's roles in society, how women's labor is viewed in society, using the
magic trick of sawing a woman in half as a pivotal metaphor, and includes footage of the renowned
female magician, Dorothy Dietrich and Scranton's Houdini Museum. One of three videos was
recently filmed on location at the Houdini Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Artist Elaine Byrne
filmed renowned female magician, Dorothy Dietrich, where Dietrich is Director. Elaine Byrne
sought out Dietrich, is known as "the first woman to saw a man in half."Dietrich speaks about her
role as a female magician in a male-dominated industry, and discusses the classic magic trick of a
glamorous woman being sawed in half by a man, first publicly performed by P.T. Selbit in January
1921.

The other two videos show several other magicians performing the same stunt, and the audiences'
responses. Byrne observes, "The world of magic has been dominated by men, where the magician
actively drives the story and the female assistant functions as a spectacle for the male gaze. The
magician's assistant brings the action to a stop and captures the spectators' attentionshe freezes
the flow of events for moments of erotic contemplation." Evoking ever-present gender inequality,
parallel to today's world of ever-present gender inequality, the female assistant to the magician
plays the role of victim she is a woman literally encased in a box, seeming to await her fate. While
the male magician saws her in half, he is propelled to fame, as the audience delights in the female
assistant being subjected to peril and pain. In actuality, the female assistant is largely responsible for
the success of the trick, but her labor is hardly recognized. At a time when women continue
fighting for many freedoms and equalities all over the world, "women boxed" alludes to these
struggles through the arena of magic and illusion.
Elaine Byrne (born in Ireland and based in New York) examines overlooked histories, historical
texts and artworks as a platform to mobilize history relating to current social concerns. Byrne
received her BA from University College of Dublin, and her MA in Visual Arts Practices from
IADT, Dublin (2009). She completed the Whitney Museum of American Art Independent Study
Program (2015). She has had solo shows at Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin; Montoro12, Rome;
Limerick City Gallery; Oonagh Young Gallery, Dublin; and Atrio Cultura Space, Mexico. She was
the winner of the 8th Arte Laguna sculpture prize (2014) and TINA prize (2015). Her work is in
permanent collections including: the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania; the Rosenbach
Museum and Library, Pennsylvania; Office of Public Works, Ireland; The Department of Foreign
Affairs, Ireland; and PWC, London, England. She is represented by the Kevin Kavanagh Gallery,
Dublin, Ireland.
This exhibition is coordinated by Alexandra Friedman, Program Coordinator, ISCP. http://iscp-
nyc.org/event/women-boxed

Opening Reception: Tuesday, February 14, 68pm. Open Hours: TuesdayFriday, 126pm. On
View Tue Feb 14 - Fri Apr 07 International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), 1040 Metropolitan
Avenue, N.Y., N.Y. 11211,/ +17183872900 / iscp-nyc.org Curated by Margaret Flanagan. This
program is supported, in part, by New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with
the City Council.

The International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) supports the creative development of artists
and curators, and promotes exchange through residencies and public programs. Housed in a former
factory in Brooklyn, with 35 light-filled work studios and two galleries, ISCP is New York's most
comprehensive international visual arts residency program, founded in 1994. ISCP organizes
exhibitions, events and offsite projects, which are free and open to all, sustaining a vibrant
community of contemporary art practitioners and diverse audiences. Over 1,240 artists and curators
from more than 70 countries, including the United States have undertaken residencies at ISCP. The
International Studio & Curatorial Program's mission is

1) to support and enhance the professional development of emerging to mid-career artists and
curators from around the world
2) to introduce New York audiences to exceptional international art practices
3) to engage communities of the New York City area through public programs that enrich the
appreciation and understanding of contemporary art

The ISCP establishes a global network of exemplary artists and curators. Tailored for professional
growth, the programs serve as an active mediator, creating visibility and immersion for all of its
residents in New York City. ISCP's programming makes ISCP an unparalleled platform for
producing, presenting and contextualizing contemporary art through a diverse range of international
perspectives.

The Houdini Museum, Tour and Magic Show, Scranton, PA, is the only building in the world
dedicated to Harry Houdini. Open year round, by reservation.

1) Restored Houdini's bust at his grave site destroyed by vandals, and missing for 40 years.
2) Heads up the historic yearly Houdini Seances that serve as a tribute to Houdini and his constant
battle against those pretending to get messages from the dead.
3) Responsible for the restoration of Houdini's best film, "The Grim Game." lost for 96 years.
4) Currently heading up Scranton's most populaf and 2nd highest backed project in the history of
KickStarter, Houdini-Opoly and its web site HoudiniOpoly.com.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1726279887/houdini-opoly-fun-exciting-legend-and-magic-
hero-b/

Contact:
Penny Wilkes
PR Associates
Houdini.org
1433 N Main Ave
Scranton, PA 18508
570 342 5555
magicus@comcast.net
http://www.houdini.org