Hell Houses are the Evangelical churches’ attempt to re-claim Halloween for their own purposes. They are a reaction against the Haunted Houses that pop up in October in celebration of Halloween. Instead of monsters and zombies, these Hell Houses present scenes of contemporary life that will lead to eternal damnation: suicide, affliction with AIDS and of course the grand-prize of all Christian obsessions – abortion. Les Freres Corbusier is presenting Hell House at St. Ann's Warehouse in October, using an actual text of one of these Evangelical scare-fests. Described as “part installation, part performance, part haunted house” irony seems to be in effect as the evening “culminates in a celebratory hoedown with bowls of punch, powdered donuts, and funky Christian rock jams.” This will require the delicate touch of a neurosurgeon, but if anyone can pull it off it is the wonderful Les Freres Corbusier. Their Heddatron, from earlier this year, is still one of the best things I’ve seen in a while. They’ve launched a new website, so check it out: http://www.nychellhouse.com
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