You know we are fans of the absurd. When we heard that Midnight Movie Maven, Peaches Christ and Horror icon Michael Varrati were hosting a special 25th anniversary screening of the Troma classic, Vegas in Space, we almost died. Almost, that is. The film is a ridiculous romp to a planet where men are forbidden and an intergalactic caper ensues. To celebrate the event, Bay Area Artist Michael Wertz Unveiled Commemorative Vegas in Space artwork/event poster in Conjunction with Frameline/Peaches Christ screening.
Check. This. Out. And. GAG!
Speaking of the art, and the movie that inspired it, artist Michael Wertz says, “San Francisco is the city where New Wave will never die. Generations of inspired weirdos flock here to hot glue things to other things at 3 am. If you listen close (even now) you can hear the neon ghosts on Market Street singing. Vegas in Space is truly a magical gem of a film, a sparkling time machine, an anarchic mishmash of glitter, glamour, and girlinium. Thanks to Peaches Christ for bringing it back to to the big screen, and for asking me to participate.”
Making the art even more trashy is how the styling came to be. Hertz revealed that he has a serendiptious and unique connection to the star of Vegas in Space, Doris Fish: In 2007, when an assortment of screenprints of the late drag star were found in the trash, Wertz and fellow artist Jim Winter worked to recreate them. Says Winter, “I believe that Doris herself made the screens, and they found their way into Jim’s hands. With Philip Ford’s blessing, Jim and I created a set of prints using the screens and some spraypaint and donated a set of the prints and the screens to the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco.”
The drag goddesses seemingly birthed the creation of this spectacular piece.
“For this very special event I wanted to ask an artist I love to help us commemorate the occasion and was so thrilled when Michael Wertz said he would create something,” says event hostess and co-producer Peaches Christ. “His aesthetic is so perfect for Vegas In Space! I had absolutely no idea at the time that he had such a special story connected to Doris and finding that mysterious artwork. Talk about kismet!”
Prints of Michael’s fabulous poster can be purchased the evening of the event.
The Vegas in Space 25th anniversary event (with cast & crew reunion) will take place on June 17th at 9:30pm at the Victoria Theater in San Francisco as a featured part of the Frameline Film Festival.
Tickets to the event can be purchased here: https://ticketing.frameline.org/festival/film/detail.aspx?id=3812&FID=53
Faceboook Page for Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1009896195754520/1010737839003689/?notif_t=admin_plan_mall_activity¬if_id=1464719734133004
