A Performance Artist’s Bag

Name: Ant DeSanto, Stage Name: Glass Staine

Age: 23

Occupation: Drag Creature/Performance Artist

What I do isn’t always easy to describe. I am a performance artist who plays with gender. Makeup had always been an interest of mine growing up, I always thought it was cool. I found [RuPaul’s] Drag Race, as queer people do, and I thought I would give it a try. It all seemed really interesting to me. So at the end of the day, my passion for art is primarily expressed through drag. Glass is seductive, dark, and glamorously alternative.

My inspiration comes from pure randomness. One time, I was in a Japanese restaurant and I saw this old painting on the wall. A week later I had a full look inspired by it. A performance I did in July of this year that I call RIP is one that describes who I am perfectly. The stage was set with dim, reddish lights while my partner, Haley, drags me out in a body bag. On screen behind me is a creepy film I made and my logo flashing. The song “R.I.P.” by Brooke Candy plays as I begin to lip-sync. Throughout the song there are some very “Glass” style moments, the whole thing is just very me. I’ve been wanting to perform the song “Alice” by Lady Gaga—one of my biggest inspirations—where I’m creating a scene revolving around the song. I can’t spoil too much, but if you want to see it come to life, come see me at the Chez Legends Finale later this year. I hope in the future my art makes me into a notable figure in my queer community. I can see myself with “celebrity” status but I want to expand the platform for my art more versus just becoming famous for the sake of fame.

Taser

I am a man out of drag and outside of Glass, yes, but when I’m leaving the gig at 2:00 a.m. there is no way I’m walking out of the club without my taser. I need it for protection, period. It’s also super cute because it’s a zebra print and fits my aesthetic.

Lady Gaga “Fame” Perfume

I’m stinky. I want the patrons at my shows to think I smell nice. Lady Gaga is, again, one of my icons. I am a stan. This scent is what I think my persona should smell like. And it helps that it’s called “Fame” because that’s where I’m headed.

Piercing Needles

Honestly, I thought this interview was supposed to be funny… I chose these because if a bitch tries it with me at the show, I got needles. But in all seriousness, I do have needles because they’re a part of my performances. I’ve pierced myself on stage and who knows when I’ll need to do it again!

Dante the Devil

Haley and I collect Squishmallows. We have a growing collection of about eighty, give or take a few. Dante the Devil is the one in our collection who represents Glass the most. He brings me the most amount of joy when preparing to perform, therefore he lives in my drag bag.

Ten-inch Pleaser Heels

It’s a safe and sensible backup shoe in case I forget the shoes I was gonna bring to the show. They could also easily work as a weapon. They’re cute and make me look great, so why not have them in case of emergencies? What outfit doesn’t go with ten-inch heels?

You can find and support Glass online on Instagram @GlassStaine. Their performance schedule is typically posted on their stories once a week. Watch previous performances online on their Instagram or at CT Drag Fans on Facebook.

Will Keller is a Staff Writer for the Blue Muse Magazine

Photo Credits: Will Keller