Decadence and Mourning at the Illuminati Ball

The artist Ventiko mourns the loss of her peacock Dexter, whose soul was killed by the intrusion of the press. Photo courtesy of the author.

The Illuminati Ball was an immersive theatre event created by the multi-disciplinary artist Cynthia Von Buhler. Inspired by leaked photos from Baron de Rothschild’s 1972 Surrealist Ball at the Château de Ferrières outside of Paris, this ball, which took place at the gorgeous Brooklyn venue The Weylin, was an ethereal and sensual experience with a distinct Eyes Wide Shut feel.

A little monkey performs on a floating pole. Photo courtesy of the author.

Upon entering the ballroom, guests were asked to don masks and were blindfolded in order to take an oath of secrecy. As the evening progressed, the audience wandered around the rooms and floors of the grand venue, formerly the Willamsburgh Savings Bank, encountering aerial performers, naked dancers in chains, and fire rituals.

The Lost Boys perform their aerial act. Photo courtesy of the author.

Below the main room, in an old bank vault, a speakeasy club appeared, with music provided by a seductive accordion player lurking in the shadows. At the other end of the room a funeral dedicated to the infamous emotional support peacock Dexter was being held by his owner, the artist Ventiko. Dexter’s soul had been murdered by the intrusive press and guests were encouraged to pay their respects and then pose for a photo with a group of naked mourners.

A taxidermy replica of Dexter the Peacock, the infamous support animal who recently went viral when he tried to fly to California. Photo courtesy of the author.

The ambitious scale of the ball was truly breath-taking; whether or not you believe in the power of the Illuminati, it’s worth taking a peek into the world of Cynthia Von Buhler before coming to any concrete decision. Truth is stranger than fiction.

A dancer in the opening fire ceremony. Photo courtesy of the author.