Events Cancelled and Morbid Anatomy Library Closed Due to "Superstorm Sandy"

We at The Morbid Anatomy Library and Observatory were very, very lucky indeed during this recent "Superstorm Sandy." Our prayers to Saint Florian--the patron saint invoked against flooding and drowning--and our maniacal preparations (see above photo) were not in vain, and, miraculously, despite the floodwaters of the toxic Gowanus which rose to lap the very walls of our building, no water got into the gallery. It did, however, fill the basement of our buidling, knocking out the electricity. To this end, we are forced to cancel our next two weeks of Observatory programming and to close the Morbid Anatomy Library until the electricity is restored.

To that end, please note the following events--including, sadly, our annual Day of the Dead Party--have been cancelled. Apologies for any inconvenience, and stay tuned for more. And expect a shrine to Saint Florian in the newly reopened Morbid Anatomy Library.

Hope you all fared as well in the storm, and look forward to seeing you all soon.

***** CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY
Annual Observatory Day of the Dead and Halloween Costume Party
Music, Performance, Costumes, Tequila, Traditional Altar, Sugar Skulls, Death Piñata, and tacos provided by our favorite local taqueria Oaxaca!
Date: Saturday, November 3
Time: Doors at 8:00 PM, Performance at 9
Admission: $15

Presented by Morbid Anatomy and Borderline Projects

Please join us on Saturday, November 3 for the annual Observatory Halloween/Day of the Dead costume party! This year we will welcome back the ghosts of the dead in the tradition of our favorite holiday--the Mexican Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead--with Aztec dances and chants, traditional foods and drink, tacos catered by local favorite taqueria Oaxaca, episodes of The Midnight Archive, tequila, music, sugar skulls, our beloved La Catrina, a Day of the Dead Altar honoring the late Chavela Vargas and Neil Armstrong and, as always, an opportunity to strike a mortal blow to our beautiful piñata of Lady Death herself! There will also be, as always, the opportunity to don--and admire other!--amazing Day of the Dead-themed costumes.

The year's iteration will include:

ENTERTAINMENT!

• Cetiliztli Nauhcampa: Aztec dances and chants
• Borderline Projects's Salvador Olguín with a brief lecture on the origins and significance of Day of the Dead celebrations
• The Midnight Archive: Screenings of The Midnight Archive, Ronni Thomas' web series based on Observatory
• Music: Halloween music for the all night dance party

FOOD AND DRINK!

• Event will be catered by local favorite taqueria Oaxaca!

TRADITIONAL DAY OF THE DEAD ATTRACTIONS!

• Day of the Dead Altar honoring the late Chavela Vargas and Neil Armstrong.
• Special appearance by our very own La Catrina
• Pan de Muerto: Indulge in this traditional dessert called Bread of Death
• Piñata: Dash death to smithereens with our annual death piñata!
• Sugar skulls: Decorate and eat or bring home your own Day of the Dead sugar skull
• Offerings to the Departed: In some places in Mexico, people leave small, coffin-like figures out for the souls of the departed. Guests are invited to leave their own offering; they will be available at the installation.

For photos from last years' party, click here. Hope very much to see you there.
Image: Rebeca Olguín

***** CANCELLED DUE TO HURRICANE SANDYThe Abuses of Enchantment: Illustrated Lecture and Book Signing with Mark Pilkington, Author of "Mirage Men: An Adventure into Disinformation, Paranoia and UFOs"
Illustrated Lecture and book signing with Mark Pilkington, author of Mirage Men: An Adventure into Disinformation, Paranoia and UFOs
Date: Tuesday, November 13
Time: 8:00
Admission: $10
Produced by Morbid Anatomy

In his book Mirage Men: An Adventure into Disinformation, Paranoia and UFOs, author Mark Pilkington details his experiences in the UFO community, and his discoveries of the ways in which military and intelligence operators have shaped and exploited beliefs in UFOs, ghosts, monsters, vampires, and elements from folklore and conspiracy theory to create an armory of supernatural weapons of mass deception, capable of manipulating consciousness on a grand scale. He traces the inspiration for these toys, tools and techniques to a range of sources which include fiction, cinema, stage magic, advertising and occultism, and uncovers the ways in which they have--for many of its intended and unintended targets--altered their very perception and understanding of the world around us.

Copies of his book Mirage Men: An Adventure into Disinformation, Paranoia and UFOs will be available for sale and signing.
Mark Pilkington is the author of two books - Mirage Men: An Adventure into Disinformation, Paranoia and UFOs and Far Out: 101 Strange Tales from Science's Outer Edge and has written for Fortean Times, the Guardian, Sight & Sound, The Wire, Frieze, The Anomalist and a host of other magazines and journals. Mark also runs Strange Attractor Press, editing and publishing its occasional Journal, and organising events and exhibitions.