SO FAB! Machine Dazzle Opens “Queer Maximalism” Art Exhibit in NYC

Matthew Flower, known to most by his artist name Machine Dazzle, is being honored with a two-floor exhibit at New York City's Museum of Arts and Design this fall under the eye of curator Elissa Auther. The exhibit, titled Queer Maximalism x Machine Dazzle, will feature over 80 of Dazzle's art pieces which span every medium from stage, to photography, to video, and everything in between. The exhibit will explore his impact on the art world through the eyes of historians, and will include a collection of essays and anecdotes from fellow performers and critics.

 

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Born in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania (home of Tina Fey!), Flower was raised in a strict conservative family. But like every good homo, one thing and one thing alone turned him gay: Olivia Newton John (RIP). In 1980, an 8-year-old Flower first witnessed John in the camp rollerskate musical Xanadu, and his life was forever changed. He knew he loved campy queerness, and he knew he wanted to fill his life with it.

When he came out at the age of 19, no one was terribly shocked. “They totally knew I was gay,” Dazzle said. “Oh, my God! Gay as a unicorn cupcake with rainbow filling, honey! In high heels — and you know there’s glitter on there.” When he was 26, the artist moved to New York City where his styles were further influenced by the grunge and club scenes of the mid-90s in the city.

Dazzle's love of camp and flair would go on to define his eclectic style, which is celebrated in the Museum of Art and Design's new exhibit. One of Dazzle's songs centered around the artist himself and when you hear him describe the song, you can see how reflective his art is of his persona. “It’s a very gay, wiggle-your-feet kind of song,” Machine told the Daily News. “It’s really quirky and strange.” Dazzle is quirky and strange, but really only when you compare him against what society tells you is "normal." And what better way to do that than by pushing it all to the max? An exhibit of this size is the only way to honor an artist as loudly queer as Machine Dazzle.

You can get tickets here until the exhibit closes on February 19, 2023. Make sure to check out what New York Times art critic Roberta Smith called a fall season highlight!

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