This book, commemorating the 25th anniversary of Magicians of the Earth (Magiciens de la terre), is a remarkable account of what this largely debated exhibition truly was and the role it played in contemporary art history. This volume offers for the first time a complete overview of the 1989 scenography in both venues (Centre Pompidou and Grande Halle de la Villette, Paris) through more than 410 previously unseen photographs and artists’ words.

In a second part, the players of the time explain the genesis and conception of Magicians of the Earth : Mark Francis, André Magnin and Aline Luque, associated curators, as well as Hou Hanru, who provides an insider’s perspective of the research and discovery of chinese artists. Chief curator of the exhibition, Jean-Hubert Martin’s preface for the 1989 catalogue as well as his postface 25 years later,  enlighten the reader about his approach. An interview with Raymonde Moulin and a perspective by Annie Cohen-Solal expand on this account.