The Finissage for Cyprien Gaillard: The Crystal World and Ballroom 101

Cyprien Gaillard presents Virgo Four
4:00–6:00 p.m. · VW Dome

On the occasion of the closing of his first New York solo show, Cyprien Gaillard invites the pioneering duo Virgo Four and special guests to play their underground Chicago house sound under the roof of MoMA PS1’s geodesic dome. In his work, Gaillard combines elements of the found, the photographic, the cinematic, the architectural, and the social to provoke visual or associative connections between ancient ruins and neglected contemporary spaces.

Ballroom 101: “We have something to say about . . . “:
A History of the Black and Latino/a Transgender, Lesbian, and Gay House & Ballroom Scene
3:00–6:00 p.m. · Duplex

The House & Ballroom Scene is a creative collective formed by Black and Latino/a transgender, lesbian, bisexual and gay individuals. It is known primarily for its signature dance form, Vogue, which has been appropriated, celebrated and studied internationally. Sexual and gender theorists and activists have also drawn critical insights from Ballroom’s examinations of gender performativity and the relationship between sexuality, race and class. Little recognition is given, however, to how the Scene is situated within a long historical narrative, centered around a multi-generational commitment to collective creativity and mutual care and support. While the modern ballroom scene was established almost 50 years ago, its roots extend to the Harlem Renaissance and the strategies of survival and creative expression developed during slavery. The Scene has been informed by and impacted on popular culture as well as many of the defining civil rights struggles. This is a telling of that history.

This event is presented by Michael Roberson, a founder of the House of Garçon and Derek Murphy, of the House of Ebony. It is produced by the Vogue’ology Collective, which includes members of the House & Ballroom Scene and the sound art collective, Ultra-red.