November First Thursday: Museum of the Macabre
On the official Day of the Dead, we present a special program dedicated to Guillermo del Toro: At Home with Monsters, guest-curated by the Toronto-born, New York City-based nightlife legend Ladyfag.
In this unique program takeover, expect to see the AGO as youve never seen it before, starting with a main stage performance by New York performance and punk legend Kembra Pfahler. An underground filmmaker associated with the Cinema of Transgression and known for her unique and explicit performance art, Kembra headed the band The Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black and is part of the Future Feminism movement with artist Anohni.
Also part of the program is Desi Santiago, the New York City-based Puerto Rican visual and performance artist known for his visionary set and costume designs, as well as installation work. Video work by Mexican visual artist, filmmaker, writer and activist Leo Herrera will be shown, and dont miss a series of choreographic interventions by internationally-recognized artist and coiffurist Charlie le Mindu. Completing the macabre takeover of the museum are posters exclusively designed for the night by artist Scott Ewalt, who, in addition to DJ Kevin Hegge, will also infuse the Gallery with sound via a DJ set.
Living and working at the intersection of night-life and art-lifestyle, Ladyfag has produced parties all over the world and is recognized as N.Y.C. nightlife royalty. Shes been profiled in The New York Times, Paper Magazine, and i-D, and never fails to credit Toronto, the place where she got her start--and her moniker--through the legendary Vazeleen parties mounted by the late, great artist and community organizer Will Munro.
In addition to the projects and performances above, check out pop-up talks with local artists and makers, our monthly Out of the Vaults display featuring rarely seen works from the AGO collection, and enjoy delicious food and drinks courtesy of AGO kitchens in the AGO Night Market.
For all the latest details on First Thursdays, follow #AGO1st on Twitter and Instagram.