Mwa presents “Driven by Desire,” a conversation between artists Avram Finkelstein and Thomas Tomczak on the subjects of desire, demons, and agency. What's the role of magic in collective action? Why look to the guise of a demon during heartbreak? Starting from Finkelstein’s book of spells and their connection to his AIDs activism and Tomczak’s explorations of Catholic possession and shame, the conversation will trace the ancient and contemporary uses of functional images and objects, including their applications in queer art and activism. The conversation will be moderated by Phil Falino, a painter based in New Haven, Connecticut.

Friday, December 12th, 2025
Doors at 5:30pm, Conversation at 6:00pm.
The Einstein Auditorium in the Barney Building
34 Stuyvesant Street, New York University