In September of 2019, Machine Dazzle premiered his original show, Treasure, at the Guggenheim Museum as a commission by Works and Process. Treasure was a music theater work with original songs and narrative performed by Machine Dazzle. The three sold out shows also featured a 13-member fashion show, designed by Machine Dazzle. Produced with music director Viva DeConcini, Treasure is a future psyche-sex-adelic synthe rock experience with stories about Machine’s mother, their relationship, and the legacy she left to him. At the root, Treasure explores how stories, narratives, and beliefs are enforced and reinforced in the home. Undressing layers of his past to make sense of the present, Treasure features stories told and stitched together through song. Now, after almost three years Treasure is having its very own album release party at Joe’s Pub.

Machine Dazzle has been dazzling stages via costumes, sets, and performance since his arrival in New York in 1994. Machine has collaborated with artists Julie Atlas Muz, Big Art Group, Justin Vivian Bond, Taylor Mac, Chris Tanner, Soomi Kim, Pig Iron Theater, Bombay Rickey, and has designed projects for Opera Philadelphia and Spiegleworld. In addition, he has held residencies at Tyler School of Art at Temple University, Moody Center for the Arts at University of Houston, Harvard University's Department Theater, Dance & Media Department, and Mana Contemporary in Jersey City, NJ. Machine Dazzle’s work has been exhibited at Parsons School of Design in New York City and contributed to the creation of Diane Von Furstenburg and Cara Delevingne’s 2019 Met Gala camp looks. Machine will soon be premiering a solo exhibition at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City.

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Photo credit: Gregory Kramer

This performance is presented as part of the Vanguard Residency Honoring the Memory of Barbara Maier Gustern.