Tussen wetenschap en spektakel

Between Science and Spectacle: Hypnosis on the Belgian Theatre Scene, 1875–1900. This article focuses on the performances of itinerant magnetiser/hypnotist Donato and on the public debate he generated on his travels throughout Europe. Around this time, magnetism was increasingly being presented in a...

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Main Author: Wils, Kaat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision 2017-12-01
Series:Tijdschrift voor Mediageschiedenis
Online Access:https://www.tmgonline.nl/article/10.18146/2213-7653.2017.332/
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author Wils, Kaat
author_facet Wils, Kaat
author_sort Wils, Kaat
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description Between Science and Spectacle: Hypnosis on the Belgian Theatre Scene, 1875–1900. This article focuses on the performances of itinerant magnetiser/hypnotist Donato and on the public debate he generated on his travels throughout Europe. Around this time, magnetism was increasingly being presented in a new form – hypnotism – which walked the line between scientific experiment and public spectacle, navigating the realms of alternative medicine and of recognised medical therapies. This article explores Donato’s use of the trappings of science in his shows, his relationships with the medical and scientific communities, and the ban on public demonstrations of hypnotism that was introduced in Belgium in 1892. While the Belgian law revealed just how unequal the battle between magnetisers and physicians really was, it did not result in a decisive victory for the medical community, nor did it spell an end to hypnosis shows. However, it did herald the end of a brief period of intense exchange between magnetisers and academics.
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spelling doaj.art-288e8333744e4094a5cb4df77885a3292022-12-22T03:20:55ZengNetherlands Institute for Sound and VisionTijdschrift voor Mediageschiedenis2213-76532017-12-012025410.18146/2213-7653.2017.332Tussen wetenschap en spektakelWils, KaatBetween Science and Spectacle: Hypnosis on the Belgian Theatre Scene, 1875–1900. This article focuses on the performances of itinerant magnetiser/hypnotist Donato and on the public debate he generated on his travels throughout Europe. Around this time, magnetism was increasingly being presented in a new form – hypnotism – which walked the line between scientific experiment and public spectacle, navigating the realms of alternative medicine and of recognised medical therapies. This article explores Donato’s use of the trappings of science in his shows, his relationships with the medical and scientific communities, and the ban on public demonstrations of hypnotism that was introduced in Belgium in 1892. While the Belgian law revealed just how unequal the battle between magnetisers and physicians really was, it did not result in a decisive victory for the medical community, nor did it spell an end to hypnosis shows. However, it did herald the end of a brief period of intense exchange between magnetisers and academics.https://www.tmgonline.nl/article/10.18146/2213-7653.2017.332/
spellingShingle Wils, Kaat
Tussen wetenschap en spektakel
Tijdschrift voor Mediageschiedenis
title Tussen wetenschap en spektakel
title_full Tussen wetenschap en spektakel
title_fullStr Tussen wetenschap en spektakel
title_full_unstemmed Tussen wetenschap en spektakel
title_short Tussen wetenschap en spektakel
title_sort tussen wetenschap en spektakel
url https://www.tmgonline.nl/article/10.18146/2213-7653.2017.332/
work_keys_str_mv AT wilskaat tussenwetenschapenspektakel