By Maureen Sullivan
Eli Sudbrack of Assume Vivid Astro Focus (AVAF) and I sat down this past October on the occasion of Amaze, Vogue, Ascend, Flourish, AVAF’s latest roller skating rink, accompanied by a billboard on the High Line and a monumental mural on the facade of Faena Hotel in Chelsea. We talked about the history of AVAF’s roller dancing rinks from New York to Miami and back, this project’s tribute to both iconic and undersung drag, queer, and trans icons, and the incredulousness that critics never contextualize the collective’s work as queer.
Assume Vivid Astro Focus: Amaze, Vogue, Ascend, Flourish was presented at the plaza next to Faena New York from October 11 through 12, 2025.
