Private Tour of the Magical Workshop & Automaton Collection of John Gaughan

The Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles is a nonprofit cultural and educational organization which presents concerts, film screenings, lectures, performance art and theatre events, gallery exhibits and more on the intersection between the creative arts and mythology, mysticism and metaphysics.

The Philosophical Research Society

Join us for this exclusive tour of the workshop and clockwork automaton collection of John Gaughan!

Philosophical Research Society

PRS Benefit Event: A Private Tour of the Magical Workshop and Clockwork Automaton Collection of John GaughanAll proceeds go to support John Gaughn's workshop and PRS!(*Location and parking instructions will be emailed to ticket buyers. The destination is a short 5 minute drive from PRS. We will meet at John Gaughan's workshop.) Imagine a workshop filled with priceless 19th-century mechanical marvels: intricate, handcrafted automatons of William Tell shooting an apple from his son’s head; of a jeweled peacock that plucks your card from a deck and spreads its tail feathers in delight; of the famed chess-playing automaton which astonished Empress Maria Theresa, Napoleon and Benjamin Franklin. Imagine a treasure chamber filled with more magical delights than the eye can count: a head of Beelzebub from the Theatre Robert-Houdin, a pair of Houdini’s handcuffs, a visiting card from Georges Méliès. Demons and goblins, trees that sprout blossoms and oranges out of thin air. The gossamer stuff that true magic is conjured from. Such a place would only exist in the fiction Jorge Luis Borges, yes? In fact, this impossibly beautiful and wondrous treasure chamber exists, right here in Los Angeles, in the form of the workshop and clockwork automaton collection of John Gaughan. For over 60 years Gaughan has designed and constructed magical illusions for masters of the art such as David Copperfield, Criss Angel and David Blaine, who has called him “a magical genius.” He has also pursued a unique and amazing passion for collecting and restoring 18th and 19th century automatons, often spending a decade or more to rebuild their intricate inner workings of gears and pulleys and tubes so they can once again play the clarinet, make a ball disappear and reappear, spread their tail feathers, astonish us over and over. His priceless automatons have been displayed at museums and theatres around the world including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Getty Museum, the Skirball Cultural Center and the Magic Castle. Although not generally open to the public due to his busy schedule and the rarity of his apparatus, Gaughan has generously agreed to open his workshop and collection up once more for supporters of PRS. For those of you who joined us and viewed treasures such as Antonio Diavolo and the Clarinet Player, you know what a truly wondrous and magical experience it is! Attendance is limited to 50 people for this private tour. Ticket Price: $100 per person to benefit PRS’s nonprofit programs and support John Gaughan's work Location and parking instructions will be e-mailed to ticket buyers. The workshop is a short 5 minute drive from PRS. Tickets must be purchased in advance for the Tour – there will be no tickets sold on-site at the event. This is an in-person event only. Special Thanks to: John Gaughan and Jeff Chang.

CONTENT DISCLAIMERThe views, opinions, and thoughts expressed within exhibited works are solely those of their creators and may not represent those of the Philosophical Research Society (PRS), its affiliates, or any individuals associated with PRS. Screenings are intended for educational and entertainment purposes. ACCESSIBILITYPRS wants all guests to be able to enjoy our events safely and comfortably. If you require any accessibility accommodation, please reach out to events@prs.org before showtime and we will be happy to assist you. REFUND POLICIESAll sales are final. There are no refunds or exchanges for PRS events. If an event is cancelled entirely, tickets will be refunded or vouchers will be offered for a rescheduled event, and ticket holders will be notified. PARKINGLimited parking is available onsite at PRS in both the front lot (entry from Los Feliz Blvd. when heading east), as well as street parking on Griffith Park Blvd. and (after 7 PM) on Los Feliz Blvd. We encourage attendees to consider carpooling, walking or biking to events if possible, and please be considerate of our Los Feliz neighbors when parking. PRS EVENT POLICIES<ul><li>We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.</li><li>Events are subject to change without notice, including guest speakers and/or performers.</li><li>We encourage you to arrive at least 30 min. before the scheduled event start time to find parking, enjoy the Bookstore and take your seats.</li><li>Please turn off all mobile devices before the show. Talking and texting are not allowed during the events.</li><li>No filming, audio recording or mobile phone recording of events, screenings, concerts or other programs by audience members is allowed without permission.</li><li>There is no smoking permitted on PRS grounds.</li><li>We strongly encourage guests to wear masks to PRS events to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.</li><li>PRS allows Service Animals into the facility under ADA and state guidelines. For further details please visit www.ADA.gov. No animals permitted whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, under ADA guidelines and CA Health Code.</li><li>Please do not bring outside food or drink into PRS events.</li><li>Weapons are strictly prohibited at PRS events.</li></ul>

Private Tour of the Magical Workshop & Automaton Collection of John Gaughan

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Private Tour of the Magical Workshop & Automaton Collection of John Gaughan

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Philosophical Research Society

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