The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult - Hardcover

Chéroux, Clement; Fischer, Andreas; Apraxine, Pierre; Canguilhem, Denis; Schmit, Sophie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0300111363 ISBN 13: 9780300111361

Publisher: Yale University Press, 2005

Synopsis

The mesmerizing photographic history of occult phenomena, from levitations and apparitions to spectres, ghosts, and auras. In the early days of photography, many believed and hoped that the camera would prove more efficient than the human eye in capturing the unseen. Spiritualists and animists of the nineteenth century seized on the new technology as a method of substantiating the existence of supernatural beings and happenings. This fascinating book assembles more than 250 photographic images from the Victorian era to the 1960s, each purporting to document an occult phenomenon: levitations, apparitions, transfigurations, ectoplasms, spectres, ghosts, and auras. Drawn from the archives of European and American occult societies and private and public collections, the photographs in many cases have never before been published. The Perfect Medium studies these rare and remarkable photographs through cultural, historical, and artistic lenses. More than mere curiosities, the images on film are important records of the cultural forces and technical methods that brought about their production. They document in unexpected ways a period when developing photographic technology merged with a popular obsession with the occult to create a new genre of haunting experimental photographs.

About this title

Review:

'...beautifully printed...detailed and well researched...more a reference work than a mere catalogue... [A] valuable volume to possess.' -- Maurice Grosse, Journal for the Society for Psychical Research, vol.70.2 no.883 April 2006

'Beautifully produced...documents the fascinating history of occult photography with scores of captivating images...[and] intriguing essays.' -- Donna C. Mehos, Science, 21st July 2006

'The absolute runaway triumphs of the year were the levitations, apparitions, ectoplasma, spectres and mediums features in The Perfect Medium'. -- Lucy Davies, The Daily Telegraph, December 3, 2005

'With its temperate prose, compelling pictures, and thorough notes
and bibliography, [the book] suggests itself as an exemplary photographic
reference.'
-- The Art Book, August 2006

Synopsis:

In the early days of photography, many believed and hoped that the camera would prove more efficient than the human eye in capturing the unseen. Spiritualists and animists of the nineteenth century seized on the new technology as a method of substantiating the existence of supernatural beings and happenings. This fascinating book assembles more than 250 photographic images from the Victorian era to the 1960s, each purporting to document an occult phenomenon: levitations, apparitions, transfigurations, ectoplasms, spectres, ghosts and auras. Drawn from the archives of European and American occult societies and private and public collections, the photographs in many cases have never before been published. The Perfect Medium studies these rare and remarkable photographs through cultural, historical and artistic lenses. More than mere curiosities, the images on film are important records of the cultural forces and technical methods that brought about their production. They document in unexpected ways a period when developing photographic technology merged with a popular obsession with the occult to create a new genre of haunting experimental photographs.

Exhibition schedule: The Metropolitan Muscum of Art, New York, 26 September to 31 December 2005.

About this edition

• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0300111363
• ISBN 13: 9780300111361
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 287