Director X takes on AGO Massive XV

It’s hard to believe, but AGO Massive has reached its crystal anniversary. That’s right,2019 marks 15 years of AGO Massive Parties! To celebrate, we’re preparing to delight guests with crystal in all its forms – glittering in art, food, drink, fashion and performance.

To pull it all together and add his signature style, this year’s AGO Massive collaborator and creative director is none other than the Brampton-born director and producer, Director X. You might know him as the mastermind behind the creation of music videos for Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Jay-Z and other chart-topping artists, as well as the Nuit Blanche Toronto exhibit, Death of the Sun. We chatted with Director X to get the inside scoop on what inspires him and what we can expect at AGO Massive XV.

AGO: What excites you about AGO Massive?
Director X: With AGO Massive XV, I'm working with placement and theme to create a mood. A space where we can let go in a building filled with some of the best art in the world. It’s a chance to express myself and be creative in a way I don’t often get to. 

AGO: Your 2016 Nuit Blanche Toronto installation Death of the Sun was an incredible feat of public artmaking. What is the key to making astonishing art?

Director X: Step one, make it 55 ft. tall. But for real, I created Death of the Sun to bring people together in recognition of one thing that we all share but no person or country can claim: our sun. Was it the scale? Was it the subject? Was it the sound? Or was it all these elements that made it so impactful? Who’s to say? I express myself and let it be.

AGO: Without giving anything away, what are the four things that every party needs in order to be a success?

Director X: #1: The DJ. #2: The DJ needs to be directly in front of the dance floor. #3: There needs to be easy access and flow around the bar. And since I’m not supposed to give it all away, I won’t give away #4.

AGO: You have a devoted following on Twitter and Instagram. As an artist, what do you think social media is doing to how we see and make art?

Director X: It’s amazing! I have a separate page dedicated to following the artistic accounts of illustrators, painters, architects, photographers and sculptors. It’s a constant flow of inspiration. I’m always discovering and sharing new art and amazing artistic talent.

AGO: Which artists are inspiring you currently?

Director X: My favourites are Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele.

Early bird tickets for AGO Massive XV are on sale now through March 6. Tickets will remain available until sold out, or until the event itself, taking place on April 11 at the AGO. 

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