Community Critique

THE BELGO REPORT - book launch

2012-01-29T21:36:00.003-05:00

Artist and curator Bettina Forget has assembled recognized and emerging artists who made their exhibitions in the galleries of the city's famous Belgo building - located in the heart of rue Saint-Catherine in Centre-Ville - in its first edition of THE BELGO REPORT.

Detailed reviews and interviews by the artists, from local to the international, are placed in beautiful page spreads with full colour images.

Book launch for these softcover copies will be on
Saturday, February 4th - 3:00pm to 6:00pm
in selective galleries at the Belgo building
372 rue St-Catherine ouest (metro Place-Des-Arts)

For more info, click on the link to the Belgo Report website below:
thebelgoreport.com/the-belgo-report-book

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Two hot shows on a cold winter weekend!

2012-01-13T20:27:00.007-05:00

Winter blues, eh?

No worries, 'cause on one of those January weekends will get you heated up with a shot of electro and hip-hop!

Friday January 27th:
XNOROPHIS + TOYKULT + PSYCHAOSPAT
at Piranha Bar - 680 Ste-Catherine Ouest
Starts 10:00pm ; cover $5
http://www.rave.ca/en/event/46907/
Saturday January 28th:
ALEE + BIG BRICC
at Underworld Cabaret - 1403 St-Elizabeth
Doors at 9:00pm; $20 & a POP beanie in advance ($10, without beanie)
Don't think that satify you, then you are such a "cold" fool... :D

Willy's Readings I

2012-01-07T22:07:00.005-05:00

Here's a new post segment to get the new year going... I've been reading up on two books I've purchased during the holidays:
THE ART PROPHETS by Richard Polsky
A take on ten individuals who took up then-unknown movements into the art world. Essential reading on art and business.

INDIVIDUAL METHODOLOGY by Harald Szeemann
Actually a scrap collection from Szeemann's archives. Exploring the structures and tools of curating by one of the legendary curators of the art world. Essential reading on art and curating.

-Willy the Bum

Season's Greetings... from US!

2011-12-04T12:46:00.002-05:00

Willy's Q&A - with artist Daniel Lamorte

2011-11-29T19:39:00.007-05:00

Click the picture to see the link!

Well, I haven't been doing these Questions & Answers for the longest time but right now it's perfect to do one on Pittsburgh artist Daniel Lamorte, who's here in Montréal for art residency.

His project: (w)horoscope.org - mixed-media website devoted to the general audience, especially those astrology fanatics. I gave him the questions on understanding more on the project, and he kindly respond back, in great details and absolute honesty.

* * * * *
Willy the Bum: Tell me the basis of finding the idea and how you decide to present as an online mixed-media project?

Daniel Lamorte: For a self-professed agnostic, I have to admit to spending a lot of time thinking about religion, mysticism, and superstition. Over the summer, I was musing about the gap between our questions on life, death, loss, etc. and the answers offered by belief systems. Despite the failings of these systems, many people still freely choose to abandon their own agency and accept prefabricated solutions.

Horoscopes are a perfect example. Your average newspaper horoscope is full of feel-good fluff and predictions which are intentionally vague and, thus, non-fail. Each day, thousands of people are either encouraged or terrified by their horoscope. Unfortunately, these powerful paragraphs rarely discuss life's most difficult challenges: death, disease, loss of loved ones, poverty, etc.

I wanted to create a project which simultaneously pointed out this flaw in astrological projections, but also experimented with the “what if” : What if daily predictions talked about HIV and the Israeli occupation of Palestine instead of my petty lovers' quarrels?

The Internet is really the perfect vehicle for this kind of project. Not only am I able to make the (w)horoscopes available to people worldwide, but I am also able to incorporate video, sound, text, and image. There is even the possibility for interactivity – something no newspaper horoscope could ever offer.

There are people who do read horoscopes just to ease their day, but your horoscopes evoke on worrying instead. Are there any positive aspects for people who would see out of your horoscopes?

(w)horoscopes are not always confrontational. While some are designed to be challenging or disquieting, others are simply observations about life or general statements. One (w)horoscope reminded readers to purchase a new toothbrush on a regular basis, while another was simply a mad-lib.

It's my hope that the (w)horoscopes will not cause unnecessary paranoia. All the same, I try not to shy away from difficult or controversial topics. Where, other than art, can you hope to find the truth in 2011? The media has failed us. The government has failed us. Now, it is the job of art to tell the truth. Art should remind us that HIV is not gone – and will only come back stronger if we do not continue to fight it through education and prevention. Art should remind us that people suffer from disease and starvation, eventually dying, because we do not distribute resources equitably. Art should remind us that no American, no Canadian, not one single person on this planet is free until every person on this planet is free.

If (w)horoscope.org makes someone uncomfortable, because it reminds them of their privilege and social responsibility, I am entirely unapologetic.

You said in your press release your project challenge society's relationship to religion, mysticism, and divination. Would you think that without them, that the world could be a better place, sort of an utopia?

The famous Karl Marx quote, referring to religion as the “opiate of the people” certainly rings true to me. I grew up in an overly religious environment and spent my early 20's “de-programming” myself – removing the psychological burden of worrying about “sin”, eternal damnation, displeasing some invisible god. I also began to hack away the Puritanical nonsense Americans still hold onto. For instance, Americans are still afraid to discuss sexuality openly and honestly in public because it's “dirty.” Thank heavens my parents were “dirty” - otherwise I wouldn't be here!

That said, religion does have a calming effect. When faced with difficulties, it is certainly reassuring to feel you have an invisible, omnipotent ally in your corner. There is also a benefit to one's social health that comes with being part of a community of faith. At their very best, religion and spirituality are uplifting, encouraging. They remove the panic which comes from being born without a choice and dying without a choice.

I don't think the world would necessarily be “better” without religion, but there would certainly be much less denial - denial of science and truth, denial of culpability and responsibility. The problem may not be religion, but how we approach it. We should understand that our beliefs need to be contemporary and address our ever-changing lives.

I always joke that I only pray to Grace Jones. If there is creature who could possibly understand my disjointed, erratic supplication, it's her.

You also said that you inspire questions in others. Do you sense the real answers lie within these big questions on life?

Some questions do not have answers. That's a reality we have to accept, and a reality which sits in opposition to human nature. Until you are dead, you will never know, by first-hand experience, what happens after death.

I suspect that “answers” are just a trick door in these cases. If I knew why bad things happen to good people, would I be content with the answer? No, because the answer would not undo the “bad things.” Instead, I would have new questions based on that answer.

Instead of posing these questions to ourselves in an attempt to find answers, I suggest that we pose the questions as a way of luring out our psychological “monsters in the closet.” The more I ponder losing the people I love, the more I can face my own shortcomings and become a more sympathetic person. The more I question the existence of god, the more I understand my fear of being powerless and become aware of my capacity to create change.

What would you get from visitors/audience after seeing your project? Will they understand more about themselves and to others?

I hope that, after viewing the project, people will feel motivated to begin asking the “big questions” for themselves instead of waiting for some religious personality to offer up one-size-fits all answers. You don't need to be a religious expert or philosopher to ask these questions. You are a human – that is the only qualification you need to begin exploring.

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WHOROSCOPE.ORG - Daniel Lamorte

2011-11-24T18:36:00.005-05:00

I have received an e-mail from Pittsburgh artist Dani Lamorte, who is staying in the city as residency and starting out his project: a mixed-media website on the idea of horoscopes. Please check out the site, as the artist updates each day its horoscope for you.

Here's the press release for the project:

As part of his residency at Studio Béluga in the Mile End neighborhood of Montréal, 25 year-old American artist Dani Lamorte is asking one question, “Have you read your horoscope today?”

(w)horoscope.org, Lamorte's mixed-media project sets out to question and challenge society's relationship to religion, mysticism, and divination. Publishing daily advice, the website replaces the soft, vague, placating content one usually finds in an astrological projection with biting social critique and unsettling observations.

“If we're really honest with ourselves, we'll recognize that the answers we want from astrology aren't the muted psychobabble we find in newspaper horoscopes.” Lamorte continued, “Instead, we're trying to find answers to the big questions, the really difficult topics: What is death? Why do I lose things I love? What is the point in being alive?”

Difficult topics are the primary domain of the project. Since (w)horoscope.org launched on October 29th, the site has addressed abortion, the existence of God, language laws in Québec, and HIV. According to the artist, these hard-hitting issues are the sources of anxiety which astrology never addresses outright, but certainly should. “Aren't these the problems divination should address in 2011? Shouldn't your horoscope warn you about the risk of contracting HIV this coming weekend or give you advice on that baby you don't want?”

On the project's home page, which is updated daily, visitors find two “astrological signs” to choose from – often absurdist options such as “Fork” and “Spoon.” These “signs” are assigned in an arbitrary manner. People born on dates which are prime numbers, for example, might be “Forks” while the rest of the population are “Spoons.” Each sign has its own "(w)horoscope” which may be in the form of text, video, sound, or a combination of the three.

The word-pun “whoroscope” points to the central concept of the project, Lamorte says. “We're a culture full of mysticism junkies, looking for our next fix. We're looking for anything that will distract us from pondering the big questions for ourselves. We whore ourselves out to churches, organizations, and any new-age product which promises to erase existential anxiety.”

(w)horoscope.org, the website, is to be accompanied by small-scale sculptural works at the studio's post-residency show in mid-February. The show will also feature the work of Béluga's other two artists-in-residence.

“I hope this project makes people ask questions. That's always been a major artistic goal of mine : To inspire questions in others. I love questions, even the ones I can't answer.”

(w)horoscope.org can be viewed here: http://www.whoroscope.org

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Artworks from MONSTERS INTERNATIONAL now online!

2011-11-24T18:12:00.005-05:00

The artworks from last month's 1st MONSTERS INTERNATIONAL exhibition is now online for viewers to see and buy. And now on limited time, each artwork you see is selling for only $100!

Perfect gifts for Christmas to monster fans or maybe kids (better not buy the scary ones for kids though...)

For looking at the complete set, check their blog's online gallery and send an e-mail order (or get information on how to order) at: monstersonpaper@gmail.com

Don't "howl"-sitate, purchase these one-of-a-kinds!

(I gotta stop with the puns!)

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Monsters International's Catalogue, now on sale!

2011-11-09T21:49:00.003-05:00

From the press:

2011 Art Book

Privately published. Limited edition.

More than 90 full pages, including colour plates of all the artwork included in the exhibition launch of Monsters International.

Materials used are recycled and the book was printed locally. Only $30 ($20 for participating artists).

See images of the book here. Please email monstersonpaper@gmail.com to place your order.

Thank you !

-Monsters International

My pet project: final results!

2011-11-09T21:25:00.006-05:00

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TA-DA!!!

Bust's on safe arrival at my house...

...and place on my private library!

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For earlier progress of my bookend/bust:
http://communitycritique.blogspot.com/2011/10/little-pet-project-for-me.html
http://communitycritique.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-pet-project-ready-to-raku.html

-Willy the Bum

My pet project ready to RAKU...

2011-11-08T23:05:00.007-05:00

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Raku: Japanese meaning "enjoyment" or "ease", a ceramic term for firing.

* * * * *
Already glazed and ready to raku...
Final result coming soon...

* * * * *
For earlier progress of my bookend/bust:
http://communitycritique.blogspot.com/2011/10/little-pet-project-for-me.html

-Willy the Bum

INCOGNITO - group exhibition

2011-11-02T10:08:00.004-04:00

Got a little invite from artist Marie-Noëlle Wurm on her latest show with 28 other artists participating in a cool gallery down in Centre-Ville area. Here's the info from their Facebook link (and feel free to invite yourself as well!):

"USINE 106U is happy to convey you to the costumed opening of the spectacular exhibition INCOGNITO presenting the artwork of 29 visual artists:

Mark Prent, Eric Braün, Mimi Traillette, Brigitte Archambault (Particule bijoux), Jean-Martin (Raven), Ectoplasm, Jean-Francois Labelle, Adeline Lamarre, Xavier Landry, Yves Milet-Desfougères, Daniel Erban, Scott Ferry, Sébastien Forest, Claude Bolduc, Majka Kwiatowska, Winky, Martine Birobent, Away, Sam Kerson, Maud Besson, Mary Lou Freel, Catherine Thisdale, Pierre-Hugues Gelinas, Alexandra Cuellar, Ginette J. Bouchard, Marie-Noëlle Wurm, Isabelle Langlois, Cecile Comblen and Jonas Baumann.

Hallucinogenic paintings, pop-art silkscreens, disquieting kinetic sculptures, erotic etchings, original drawings, trash plush toys, surrealist jewelry other fascinating curiosities will massively take over the space."

INCOGNITO
November 2nd to November 30th 2011
Vernissage: Thursday November 3rd, 5:00pm - 11:00pm
at
USINE 106U
160 Roy Est, centre-ville Montreal
(metro Sherbrooke, corner of Roy and de Bullion)

Opening hours:
Saturday to Wednesday - 12:00pm to 6:00pm
Thursday & Friday - 12:00pm to 9:00pm

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Artists to Look VIII

2011-10-29T23:04:00.008-04:00

Being a guest artist is fun when meeting visitors who wants to know what I can do and give some insight to. But it is also fun when meeting other guest artists so I wanted to know what they can do and getting some insight from them.

During the 1st Monsters International exhibition, I met up with three of the guest artists (all homegrown/resides in Montreal) who share their creativity in different mediums.

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Curious Little Bird

The mindset of 3D artist Melanie Audet, these furry little creatures are the latest craze for kids and adults alike. And these are not just ordinary like most plush dolls, they are special beings that only Miss Audet can create, the kind that were made 100% recycled materials; a great find for those who care for the world. You can buy them online, and check out her blog:
curiouslittlebird.ca

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SampanInk

Peaks of experimental styles and colours onto great canvases coming out of visual artist Marie-Noëlle Wurm. Vaudevillian in style, explosions of colours, and vast imagination of shapes and forms, Wurm creates spontaneous beauty in each of her artworks, from paintings and drawings to graphic books and little crafts. You can find her work at:
sampanink.tumblr.com

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ToyKult

A renaissance man in music, Tom Hamlyn is a force for electro, alternative, and experimental beats. Releasing his impressive debut album SOW LOCO, press are buzzing over him. But when you catch one of his shows, HE WILL BLOW ALL YOUR MINDS!
A must for pure chill experimental music, jump onto his link for hot samples:
toykult.com

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S.O.S. MONSTERS - post-vernissage...

2011-10-26T21:57:00.004-04:00

Monsters International's 1st exhibition is a MAJOR SUCCESS!!!

And that is just the beginning...

For the complete programming of the week-long exhibition, link to their blog:
MonstersInternational.blogspot.com (Exhibition Program)

* * * * *
The guest artists are back for certain days, to greet in person and to display their craft:

Melanie Audet, Montreal artist and founder of Curious Little Bird
-Monday, October 31st (Monster Costume Contest, TBA)

William Mak, Montreal artist and co-blogger of Community Critique
-Saturday, October 29th (Mystery Theme, all day)
-Tuesday, November 1st (auction/closing, 5:00pm-8:00pm)

* * * * *
For more updates, check on the post below titled, S.O.S MONSTERS updates!

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S.O.S. MONSTERS updates!

2011-10-24T21:10:00.007-04:00

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Here's the flyer for the show (spread the word!!!)

* * * * *
As part of the "First Chills" program devoted to kids and families, Montreal actor and stand-up comedian Michel Mpambara will be giving a book reading of Max et les maximonstres (French version of Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are) at 3 pm (October 27, 28, 30 & 31).
Overall, click here for the official exhibition and kids' programs!

* * * * *
And... here's for everybody, fast little diddies by Willy the Bum (now reported as a guest artist) in hope for all to come and support the exhibit, and have fun!

See you all Wednesday night!

S.O.S. MONSTERS - gallery exhibition

2011-10-21T16:36:00.006-04:00

Yes! Monsters International has set up its official date for this fun exhibition! The gallery show are displaying the coolest monster drawings from:

Syria
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
the United States
Canada
Switzerland
Sweden
Trinidad and Tobago
Greece
Turkey
Germany
France
and many others...

Not only that, there are also food and drinks, and activities for parents and kids - for the WHOLE WEEK! So, come by and have some "goo-houlish" fun!

S.O.S. MONSTERS
October 26th to November 1st, 2011
Vernissage: October 26th, 5:00pm - 9:00pm
at
Galerie Espace
4844, boul. Saint-Laurent, Montréal
(metro Laurier, between Saint-Joseph and Villeneuve)

Monster International - main link (blogspot.com)

Why not follow them on Facebook too?
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A little pet project for me...

2011-10-09T20:33:00.007-04:00

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A heavyweight bookend/bust out of stoneware clay...

...a bust of one of my literary heroes, William S. Burroughs.

* * * * *
Day 1...

Day 2...

Day 3... Thanksgiving.

How about a prayer from Burroughs in this little clip?

Day ..."oh, I lost track"...
... more to come!

-Willy the Bum

MONSTERS INTERNATIONAL - submission for exhibition

2011-09-19T22:50:00.004-04:00

From monstersinternational.blogspot.com:

This exhibition will be a wall-to-wall Hall of Monsterdom, the objective of which is to cover the gallery walls with monsters from around the globe. The artwork will be up for 7 days. On each day of the show, events will take place morning, afternoon and evening, targeting different audiences and bringing in a constant flow of visitors to the gallery. This engaging exhibition format attracts visitors who don't always feel comfortable in a gallery context and allows them to freak out. The curators will be present all day, each day, to greet people, walk them through the show, and send them out with some art in their hands.
The exhibition will be October 26th to November 1st, at Galerie Espace in Montreal.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Works on paper only, 8 ½ x 11 inches, maximum size (any thickness). Any medium welcome (paint, drawing, ink, collage, etc.) No photography or digital work this time, thanks.
The interpretation of the theme “Monsters” is entirely up to the artist. Submitted monsters may be fictitious, historical, frightening or endearing. To participate, please submit Jpegs of work you’d like to submit to: monstersonpaper@gmail.com. Our selection committee will review all works proposed and will chose the works for the exhibition - this might represent all or none of the pieces submitted by the artist. Once the artwork is selected, the artist will receive a confirmation email with all the necessary information for the next step.
The deadline for Jpeg submissions is October 18th, and we must have your artwork in hand by October 24th. Submissions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. For the many who are submitting from overseas, please allow for sufficient mailing time.

For more details, go to the link:
monstersinternational.blogspot.com
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TEMPORARY IMMORTALITY - solo exhibition

2011-09-07T19:09:00.001-04:00

Yes, you saw it right!

Local artist Summer Geraghty's exhibition is now called TEMPORARY IMMORTALITY, putting up her latest paintings in almost two weeks. Busy on personal and social matters, Miss G. got back to her artistic roots in paintings and will hope to see her great iconic style onto canvases again.

TEMPORARY IMMORTALITY
Monday, September 19th; 7:00pm - 10:00pm
at
cafe thEATre
1832 Ste-Catherine ouest
Montreal, QC

This will be a treat!

Facebook event link: invite yourself:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=205079922886416

PRESENCES - vernissage photos

2011-08-27T13:48:00.005-04:00

Another series of vernissage photos, another apology to my camera for being so blurred...

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

ART FORMS - vernissage photos

2011-08-16T13:13:00.007-04:00

Using my trustly dated digital camera for a long time, it still makes blurred photos. Here's what you missed last Saturday night...

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum
* * * * *
Here are the nicer photos, courtesy of photographer Chris Bacchi. They are posted on the ART FORMS blog:
http://artforms-montreal.blogspot.com/2011/08/snapshots.html

PRESENCES - solo exhibition

2011-08-14T18:32:00.004-04:00

You're gonna love this artist! Been named as “one to watch” in the Montreal Mirror’s NoiseMakers of 2010, it's no secret. And she doesn't need no introduction either.

The faces that I paint are not conventional portraits. They are invented, anonymous presences that stem from my memory and daily experiences. Like ghosts, these presences appear spontaneously in my work. They shift in and out of ambiguous spaces where light and dark, the external and internal, and suggestions of urban and rural spaces are in constant conflict. I am very sensitive to the repetition, the rhythms and the speed of daily urban experience. I am interested in examining the resulting tensions as these types of movement inevitably inform my work.

PRESENCES
New Paintings by Jenny Schade

August 25-August 31
* EXTENDED TO MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH

VERNISSAGE: Friday, August 26th 7pm-12 am
AUCTION: Friday, August 26th 9pm-10pm
*50% of profits will be donated to Wasser Transfair, a small NGO working on sustainable water filter projects in Orichinga, Uganda.

OFF Interarts
at
5143/45 Saint Laurent, Montreal.
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 12-5
*if gallery door is locked go next door to 5143 St.Laurent for access

ART FORMS 2nd edition - multimedia exhibition

2011-08-07T16:42:00.014-04:00

Blog's very own Willy the Bum will be the only artist to display paintings and drawings in the gallery. Along with him are filmmakers showing their new shorts, and sets from the latest local musical talents.

From the press:

ART FORMS is an event that celebrates every artistic medium, showcasing artists that specialize in different backgrounds. The show features musical performances, art vernissage, short films, and more. Our aim is to encourage cross-disciplinary collaborations and to promote the discovery of different art mediums as well as new and emerging artists.

A multi-disciplinary art show featuring performances and works by:

William Mak (www.communitycritique.blogspot.com)
Jose Luis Saturno (www.enjambrehexagonal.com)
Samuel Martin (www.sam.deepunder.org)
Christina Gavino (www.myspace.com/pianistsdaughter)
Francois Harvey (www.vimeo.com/francoisharvey)
Michael Baggio
Alexandra Lemay
Michael Beaton
NuKhalu Callaghan-Patrachar
Andy Kerr

ART FORMS
featuring musical performances, vernissage, video and electroacoustic listening.
$5 suggested donation. 100% of contributions go towards funding more multi-disciplinary events.

Saturday August 13th, 2011
8:00pm - 11:00pm
at
Centre St-Ambroise
5080-A St-Ambroise, Montreal
(by walking: metro Place-Saint-Henri / by bus 37: metro Vendôme)

Add and invite yourself on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=246966228658759
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Artists to Look VII

2011-08-05T13:14:00.006-04:00

Berlinde De Bruyckere

I went to see John Currin/Berlinde De Bruyckere exhibit at DHC/ART Foundation for Contemporary Art down in the Old Port. Seem that when I went to the artist talk with John Currin before, I wanted to check out his paintings to see what's the fuss about. Sure enough his paintings are quite uneasy and controversial to look up, depending on how you look at them with questions of feminine issues.

Then I saw the other half of the exhibit.

Berlinde De Bruyckere's sculptures, in my mind, was really something to see. Sense of warmth and comfort in the most nightmarish existentialist world is one theme to her works, along with religions and mythologies, horrors of war, and concepts of the human and animal's body.

Check out the exhibit:

John Currin/Berlinde De Bruyckere
June 30th, 2011 — November 13th, 2011
at
DHC/ART Foundation for Contemporary Art
451 St-Jean Street, (Vieux-Port)
Montreal, Quebec

Release link from DHC/ART website (click here!)
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Artists to Look VI

2010-07-22T17:09:00.006-04:00

This month we have an artist from Italy - thanks to Enzo of Montréal - and a music band to check out...

Natalia Vecchio

Here's the proper english version of the profile from her blog site:

Painter and sculptor. Born at Linguaglossa (Catania) in 1951, graduated from THE INSTITUTE OF ART and the Attractive Academia Limbs. She exhibited from 1970 on personal shows and reviews, obtaining prizes and recognitions. Her works are in public collections of local collectors and foreigners.

Check out her blog site at:
www.nataliavecchio.blogspot.com

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The Redmond Barry's

A two-man rock band featuring singer-drummer Christopher K-Briard and guitarist Varun Chopra bringing intense beats and raging noise to pump up every crowd they have played. You should not miss out, they are the real deal!

Their first EP album is coming out soon but catch your first taste this Friday night (July 23rd) at the CroBar (1221 Crescent street). Show opens at 9pm; seriously... not to be missed!

Check out their MySpace site:
www.myspace.com/theredmondbarrys

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MAKING IT MONTRÉAL

2010-07-10T17:20:00.006-04:00

MAKING IT MONTRÉAL is a view on emerging artists - across Canada and internationally - who chose the city of Montreal as home, and their influences on the cultural background that affect artworks and careers.

This site explains more of the basis of its view:
http://www.makingitmontreal.org/

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EXTREME PAINTING - 16 gallery exhibitions

2010-06-30T22:06:00.009-04:00

I picked up the latest Canadian Art magazine to find this summer's art colletive exhibition presented in sixteen local galleries (most are in the Belgo building while pairs on Westmount and Vieux-Port).

Here's the list of the exhibits from canadianart.ca, or pick up the issue to read the full article - a good introduction.

EXTREME PAINTING
June 5th - September 25th* (*different dates for each exhibit)

Links and Press Releases:
Galerie Division
Galerie d'Este
Han Art
Galerie Pangée
Galerie Orange
Parisian Laundry
Galerie Simon Blais
Galerie Dominique Bouffard

UPDATE!:
All other galleries are in l'edifice Belgo (Belgo Building) at
372 rue St-Catherine ouest:
Galerie ProjexMtl (#212)
Galerie Division (#311)
Galerie Lilian Rodriguez (#405)
Galerie PUSH (#425)
Galerie René Blouin (#501)
Galerie Roger Bellemare (#502)
Galerie Joyce Yahouda (#516)
Galerie Trois Points (#520)
Galerie Donald Browne (#528)

* * * * *

How's this for the greatest resurrection in music history?

2010-05-27T18:14:00.003-04:00

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http://www.1119732.net/

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WE WANT MILES - MMFA exhibition & CONTEST

2010-04-30T23:09:00.007-04:00

Miles Davis vs. Jazz - its subtitle has summed up the artistic freedom of the legendary trumpeter and conductor.

Yet he is considered the greatest jazz player and the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

He created some of the many music genres and developments of his time. He is an artist.

And the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts has opened its North American retrospective of the exhibition dedicated to Davis. From the MMFA site of the exhibition, the show "will combine image and sound to offer visitors a sensory experience inspired by Miles Davis himself:
A painting is music you can see, and music is a painting you can hear. "

WE WANT MILES: MILES DAVIS VS. JAZZ
April 30th to August 29th 2010
at
the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Jean-Noël Desmarais pavilion
1380 Sherbrooke Street West (metro Guy-Concordia)

For opening hours and admission prices, click here.

MAGNETIC POETS - zine launch

2010-04-30T22:35:00.004-04:00

From Larissa A.:

Come support these young "at-risk" writers!

Some of them have had 3 social workers in one year, live in group homes and have not experienced a stable home life. They are used to being shifted off to someone else.

And they write frank, powerful poetry.

It's a lunchtime reading and we're launching the Zine "Magnetic Poets" created in the workshop I coordinated as part of the joint project "Writers in the community" run by the Quebec Writers' federation and the Centre for Literacy.

I need you to be there and give them the audience they deserve.
so bring it!

MAGNETIC POETS - ZINE LAUNCH
free admission
Tuesday, May 4th
Open door at 10:30am; readings starts at 11:00am
at
Atwater Library (auditorium)
1200 Atwater (metro Atwater)

Facebook link:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=105179189525912

*Our thanks to Summer G. for the news...
* * * * *

LATE NIGHT IN THE LOFT

2010-02-16T22:56:00.002-05:00

Interdispinary artist and fellow contributer Annie Briard will switch her paintbrush for a microphone as she will be the host of a new late night talk show LATE NIGHT IN THE LOFT, a live event series on the emerging artists and the arts scene of Montreal...

Pilot episode will be broadcast at:
Coeur de Jeanne Mance, loft #301 (6585 Rue Jeanne-Mance, Mile-End)
Friday, February 19th 2010
door opens at 8:00pm, taping starts 9:00pm until 11:00pm

Admission is pay what you can ($5 suggested includes a glass of wine). This is a community event and all proceeds go towards the cost of producing future LNL shows.

Official site and podcast of the show:
http://latenightintheloft.com/

Press Release from Indyish.com:
http://www.indyish.com/new-indie-arts-talk-show-in-mtl/

Want to be part of a live audience, check this Facebook link for more info:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=318252174459&ref=mf

Artists To Look V

2009-12-05T18:40:00.006-05:00

One artist this month is an old friend of ours.

Jimmy Baptiste
I've probably mentioned him by stopping by to his last solo exhibit 08-08-08, in which I took photos of the vernissage.

I could say he's more than being an artist; he also took on as art instructor, and ran his independent brand of logo design wear in which he kept going once in a while.

His use of graffiti art style in paintings and illustrations shows his own passion for the arts and the distinction of putting creativity as part of its social urban environment.

You should check out his newly-opened artist site, which he has many drawings and artworks that interested slick designs that made more of its uniqueness in graffiti art form.

jimmybaptiste.com

* * * * *

PIED[CARRÉ]MTL - group exhibition

2009-12-03T21:12:00.010-05:00

I bumped into miss Kirsten McCrea at a café recently and mentioned of a couple of her art pieces in a great local gallery at the heart of the city: the Old Port.

The main purpose of this exhibition is a display of paintings and drawings no more than 12" x 12". Lots of artworks by more than a hundred local artists participating, including miss McCrea.

Each piece is $200.

Check it out; displayed until December 23rd (a perfect last-minute shopping day before Christmas Eve)!

PIED [CARRÉ] MTL (THE SQUAREFOOT SHOW)
December 3rd to 23rd, 2009

at ZoneOrange inc.
410 Saint Pierre, Vieux-Montreal
(between Le Moyne and Saint-Paul, metro Square-Victoria)

PRESS INFORMATION (galeriezoneorange.com)

McCrea's blog post on her group show...

* * * * *

THE WEDDING - solo exhibition

2009-11-20T17:48:00.007-05:00

THE WEDDING
the second solo exhibition by Mona Sharma

Exhibition: November 20th to December 20th 2009
Opening: Friday, November 20th at 7pm
Artist Talk: Saturday, November 21st at 3pm

at LA CENTRALE
4296 blvd Saint-Laurent, Montréal
(between Marie-Anne and Rachel, metro Mont-Royal)

PRESS RELEASE

A special thanks to Laura MC for the infomation*

* * * * *

RÉSISTANCE - contemporary dance show

2009-11-20T17:23:00.004-05:00

Check out this one-night only dance performance show this Saturday night!

RÉSISTANCE
from contemporary performance artists Marie-Claire Forté, Lara Kramer, Catherine Lafleur, Sasha Kleinplatz, and Shigeki Yamada
November 21st 2009 at 7pm & 9pm
$12 pre-sale, students, RQD
$15 regular admission

at Studio 303
372 rue Ste-Catherine ouest, Montréal
(between St-Alexandre and Bleury, metro Place-des-Arts)

More info on link:
http://www.studio303.ca/en/events/resistance/

* * * * *

Open House: Artists' Studios in Grover Building

2009-11-20T17:09:00.004-05:00

Yesterday, I was invited to the Grover Building for open house on the artists' studios on the 3rd floor. I was invited by artist Jenny Schades, who does these neo-expressionist paintings; I mentioned her on "Artists To Look" segments - an earlier post...

Yesterday was the first of the four-days open house, so don't miss out. If you're lost inside the building, just follow the red shoes... you'll know what I mean!

Open House
at Immeubles Grover SEC (or Grover Building)
2065 Rue Parthenais, Montreal
(5 minutes from metro Frontenac)

From November 19th to 22nd 2009 (Thursday to Sunday)
Every day: 2:00pm - 9:00pm

* * * * *

CLEAN HANDS - duo exhibition

2009-10-29T22:06:00.003-04:00

CLEAN HANDS
photographs and paintings by Christie Vuong and Laura Findlay

Vernissage:
Tuesday, November 10th, 7pm - 9pm
at Galerie VAV Gallery
VA building of Concordia University
1395 René-Lévesque (corner Cresent)
metro Lucien L'Allier/Guy-Concordia
gallery site

The exhibition is displayed from November 9th to 20th.
Schedule: Monday - Friday, 9am - 9pm

* * * * *

OUT OF OUR MINDS - Canadian film premiere at MMFA

2009-10-29T22:02:00.002-04:00

Canadian film premiere of OOOM (Out Of Our Minds)
by Melissa Auf der Maur and Tony Stone,
USA, 2009, colour, 28 min.

Presented by both Auf der Maur and Stone,
following a screening and question period
Saturday, October 31st, 1:30pm
free admission (first come, first serve!)

Maxwell-Cummings Auditorium
Level S1
Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion
Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

Part of Garden of Enchantment: John William Waterhouse exhibition
(October 2nd 2009 - February 7th 2010)

Cultural Activities - MMFA press (PDF)

OOOM - film site

* * * * *

RÉVÉLÉES, À UN DÉTAIL PRÈS... - exhibition and vernissage photos

2009-10-29T21:43:00.008-04:00

Révélées, à un détail près...
An exposition by Sylvie Latulippe, Marie-Luce Maupetit, and Ashley Miller

October 26th - November 28th 2009
at Vieux-presbytère St.Mark
340, rue St-Charles Ouest, Longueuil, Quebec
(metro Longueuil/Université-de-Sherbrooke, bus route 8/28/88)

gallery schedule link

Stop by there also for the great atmosphere of St-Charles street in Vieux-Longueuil for those who wonders what's outside of the city!
- Willy the Bum

Photos of the vernissage (October 28th)...

photos by Willy the Bum

A house I want to live in until I die...

2009-10-25T22:23:00.005-04:00

* * * * *
Not just any house. A TREE-house.

Now, you may think I'm being childish, but I guess I wanted to be a child my whole life.

I got the idea when I browsed around the books at a Renaud-Bray bookstore moments ago, when I noticed a book on treehouses of the world (or actually most on the States). I flipped through the whole book, just awed at not only photos of interiors and exteriors, but the architectural designs and the styles created for the owners' interests (one such treehouse was influenced from Art Deco).

I figured, by the time I'll grow old, I hope for my life to live in a relaxed treehouse with two dogs on my side, away from society and to be peaceful in mind.

Check out these links and enjoy...

Treehouse Workshop, Inc.
www.treehouseworkshop.com

Pete Nelson - co-founder of Treehouse Workshop, Inc.
petenelson.wordpress.com

* * * * *

A little news on the side I...

2009-10-14T21:16:00.008-04:00

* * * * *
...from the Montreal Gazette today (October 14th)

Artist Glen LeMesurier and the fight against city bureaucrats on civil art (full article from the link below):

Sculptures deemed 'dangerous'

* * * * *

FROM CHINA TO QUÉBEC - Les Journées de la Culture

2009-09-22T23:33:00.006-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Journées de la culture 2009 at Studio XX:

From China to Quebec
Saturday, September 26 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
at Studio XX, 4001 Berri, Suite 201

In collaboration with Studio XX and Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal, artist Christine Brault initiated this co-creation project in 2008 with a group of Chinese women now living in Montreal. The From China to Quebec Collective draws from Chinese traditional arts integrating them into contemporary art.

In celebration of the Journées de la culture, the collective will present a performance where cultural blending unites singing with human weaving. Artist Pei-Lin Aryll will accompany the collective with her GuZheng, a traditional chinese musical instrument. To learn more about the project, please visit
http://www.studioxx.org/en/node/2035

Impassioned by Chinese culture, in May 2008, Christine Brault realized an artist residency in Beijing and participated in an international event in Shanghai.

* * * * *
Founded in 1996, Studio XX is Montreal's foremost feminist digital resource centre. Through a variety of creative activities and initiatives, the Studio works with women to demystify digital technologies, critically examining their social aspects, facilitating women's access to technology and creating and exhibiting women's digital art.

www.studioxx.org
______________________________________

To schedule an interview with the artists, or to obtain further information, please contact Annie Briard, Director of Communications, at com@studioxx.org or 514-995-6098

Thank you,
Annie Briard
Studio XX

SPEED LIMITS - CCA exhibition

2009-09-11T13:22:00.006-04:00

I'm sorry if this exhibition has already opened in the beginning of summer and forgotten about mentioning it to you, but I just recently noticed once in a while and I just had this obsession in everything retro and streamline style. Futurism shows a great deal in architecture presenting on this exhibition, so catch it while you can!

SPEED LIMITS
May 20th to October 12th (*now extending to November 8th)
at
Canadian Centre for Architecture
1920 rue Baile (metro Guy-Concordia)
tel 514 939 7000
fax 514 939 7020
free admission for students; $10 otherwise

Link from CCA.qc.ca

Press Release (PDF-original version)

Press Release (PDF-new version)

Willy's Q&A - with artist Jeremy Mayer

2009-08-14T20:14:00.007-04:00

Bust II (2004) - Jeremy Mayer

While browsing on the photo gallery of Mayer's work on the site www.jeremymayer.com, I send a little Q&A to him and was generous of sending back with anwsers the very next day. Recognized for his sculptures of human and animal anatomy forms made entirely of typewriter parts, I asked if there's more to his works and may have any significance to each one of his pieces.

* * * * *
Willy the Bum: Who or which of the sci-fi or any inspirations you had that affected you to make these sculptures?

Jeremy Mayer: My mechanical drawings have to do with two big influences- first, Arthur C. Clarke's 3rd law of prediction posits that "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Second, the impossibility of many of the inventions DaVinci proposed in sketches and drawings has always been very interesting to me- he knew they were almost possible. I think DaVinci was the first sci-fi/fantasy artist. Trying to mate those two ideas of hidden or esoteric technology and mechanical potential in natural forms has been endlessly fun for me, and though I don't draw as much any more, I've found that the typewriter stuff has a lot to offer me in that vein of interest.
I like robots and the aesthetic, but I don't purport to try to make robots at all. I'm just concentrating on making compelling figurative sculpture. A lot of what you see written about me online has to do with robots and sci-fi and such, but I said a lot more in those interviews that had to do with traditional sculptural and painting influences. I guess it's hard to escape the fact that these things look like Terminators.

Do you think your sculptures has serve any purposes or meanings to the world now?

I would hope that the work would compel people to think more about what's lying around not getting used around them, and to look at things more closely in general. People often say that I recycle, but really, all of these machines could be fixed and used, so to say that I'm recycling isn't accurate. I think there's a place for my work right now, but I don't need to say it. I think the work does. But I can say that I'm an agent of entropy.

Are most of your works more personal or eye-candy to the public?

The cats and bugs and such, the little whimsical things, those tend to be a product as opposed to a creative challenge. The human figures are definitely personal- I take as much time as it takes to put them together without concern for the bottom line.

If selling, what is the price range for each sculpture?

The last human figure was on sale at Device Gallery for $25,000, and the smaller pieces range from $2000 to $6000.

Any Canadian dates for exhibitions? (that question is the most cheesy I've come up with...)

I have a friend who is pitching a museum show in Calgary, but nothing concrete. I have no work left to show right now, so I'm starting from scratch, and I see little possibility of getting together enough work to do any kind of solo exhibition any time in the next year or two. Things seem to sell as soon as I finish them. Can't complain!

* * * * *

Artists To Look IV

2009-08-13T20:01:00.006-04:00

Haven't done this post segment for a while, but I like to make word to everyone about two artists with exceptional talents.

Jenny Schade
I just can't help myself, but everybody was talking about the recent show FRESH PAINT AND NEW CONSTRUCTION at Art Mûr, especially the works of one Miss Schade. The paintings took over the space with its dark realism and almost monochromatic colours. A sight to see on each of her paintings!

"...gorgeous, haunting images truly speak to the degree of talent..." art critic Stacey DeWolfe
(read the article in the July 23rd issue of Montreal Mirror.)

Jeremy Mayer
California-based artist whose sculptures was created with the unusual material: typewriters. I was googling for a mechanical guide to building a typewriter when I stumbled on his site - a gallery of his sculptures - the human and animal anatomy forms completely made from typewriter parts. And the end result surprised many critics and audience alike. His explanation for the machines as a natural resource affected to these sculpture with life of its own.

See for yourself:
www.jeremymayer.com

- Willy the Bum

SCENES OF MONTREAL - photography exhibition

2009-07-28T19:01:00.005-04:00

Avenue Art presents

Scenes of Montreal - A Photography Exhibition
July 16th to August 21st

Avenue Art is proud to welcome the public to our photography exhibit! This exhibition will feature photographs taken exclusively in and around Montreal to showcases its beauty and uniqueness. The selection of iconic landmarks as well as images that depict Montreal’s unique Joie de Vivre are certain to please tourists and Montrealers alike!

View this breathtaking collection by both emerging and established photographers!

10% of all sales will go to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada!

Avenue Art (Multi Media City)
10 King Street
Montreal, QC
H3C 2N9
Telephone: (514)489-4888
Email: galeriecanal@hotmail.com

www.AvenueArt.ca

Hope it'll turn into a sex blob... - another random post

2009-07-27T18:02:00.018-04:00

"I suggest a Clark-Nova Portable. It has mystic resonance."

- a Mugwump; from the film Naked Lunch (1991)

I heard of Beat author William S. Burroughs mentioned about what tools use for writing.

He was quite fond of using a typewriter.

Just as long as he doesn't use long-hand.

Somehow this film adaptation of his definite novel got to me - not just the twisted storylines or Peter "RoboCop" Weller - but also of director David Cronenberg's love for the writing machines and blessed to display an array of typewriters on screen.

Which made me want to have a typewriter (although I have one in my studio but I had to stamp down keys forcefully only with my fore fingers, to which both always dislocate every time - thanks very much Enzo!)

I am surprised - on an unexpected sunny day - to stumble on a great antique store and actually bought one; a 1948 "Clipper" Smith-Corona Portable (*photo above).

The antique store is called RÉTRO VILLE, owned solely by the sweetest lady around the Centre-Ville area.

RÉTRO VILLE
2652 rue Notre-Dame Ouest (metro Lionel-Groulx)
Montréal, QC
H3J 1N7
Telephone: (514)939-2007

...and now, I'm back to typewriting again!

Re-post: Check out two sites devoted to classic typewriters:

www.machinesoflovinggrace.com

www.mytypewriter.com

-Willy the Bum

PAPIRMASSE - vernissage photos I

2009-07-24T17:13:00.004-04:00

Note to self: Buy a new digital camera.

PAPIRMASSE - vernissage photos II

2009-07-24T17:09:00.006-04:00

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

PAPIRMASSE - Montreal Launch

2009-07-16T19:52:00.006-04:00

Artist Kirsten McCrea is launching locally of her super project PAPIRMASSE, a monthly subscription of the artist's hand-made limited edition artworks (that's right... with a "S") being given to you - the consumer - by mail.

She enjoys this project as a way for people to have real art instead of cheesy art posters and dollar cardboards, and given to everyone who can afford her quirky great art ($5 monthly; $60 a year only!)

The launch will include an exhibit of current prints, a raffle for an original McCrea painting, cheap drinks, and live DJs. And if you join the launch this night only, you will get a 1/2-off shipping discount if you subscribe!

The Montreal Launch of Kirsten McCrea's PAPIRMASSE
July 23rd 2009, 6pm - 11pm
at
SNAP! Salon
4064 blvd Saint-Laurent, suite #1
(between rue Duluth and Rachel)

The exhibit will go until the 28th, so e-mail info@snapme.ca for opening hours.

SNAP! PRESS RELEASE
OFFICIAL SITE OF PAPIRMASSE - HELLOKIRSTEN.COM

PARTICLES OF REALITY - DHC/ART exhibition

2009-07-16T19:23:00.003-04:00

I stumbled into an unnoticeable two-building gallery at the Old Port called DHC/ART Foundation for Contemporary Art, located in the mix of pebble-road streets. The spaces are surely modern for contemporary works, and the employees are quite friendly, including the security guards(!)

Check out the gallery for yourself (indeed placed with MMFA and MAC), especially this current show, the first-ever solo Canadian exhibition PARTICLES OF REALITY by Israeli artist Michal Rovner. Carefully yet incredibility blends of projections and objects to describe narration without the use of language and story.

PARTICLES OF REALITY
a Canadian solo exhibition of Michal Rovner
May 21st - September 27th 2009
at
DHC/ART Foundation for Contemporary Art
451 rue St-Jean, Vieux-Port

PRESS RELEASE / OFFICIAL SITE OF DHC/ART

FRÉDÉRIC BACK/KEN MONKMAN - MMFA exhibition

2009-06-26T16:57:00.007-04:00

This collection of beautiful animated cels by Montreal artist/filmmaker Frédéric Back is part of the bigger exposition EXPANDING HORIZONS that just recently opened. Much caring with the environment and its living animals, Back created these wonderful yet truthful animations of the urgency of the natural world today and understand the importance of life on Earth.

Frédéric Back: One With Nature
in part of Expanding Horizons/Grandeur Nature
June 18 to September 27, 2009

Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion
1379 rue Sherbrooke ouest, downtown
Level 2
free admission

PRESS RELEASE - FRÉDÉRIC BACK

* * * * * * * * * *

Feel free to also check out another exhibition Dance to the Berdashe by Toronto-based contemporary artist Ken Monkman (most famously for his iconic painting above). A great exhibit not to be missed!

Ken Monkman: Dance to the Berdashe
May 6 to October 4, 2009

Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion
1380 rue Sherbrooke ouest, downtown
Level S2
free admission

PRESS RELEASE - KEN MONKMAN

INFRINGEMENT VERNISSAGE WITH... - group exhibition

2009-06-23T22:17:00.007-04:00

I never really knew this local festival has been running for six years now, and I just found that out from one of my acquaintances I bumped into on a hot summer day.

This festival was created to opposed big-time corporations who use art as a business opportunity and branding art as their own; instead a group of artists must take action by creating this fest of alternative events to seek out that art is accepted to the audience by artists themselves and not the corporations.

I was invited by the unexpected stranger on the streets, this adorable artist Kayla Williamson of her vernissage down on Barfly this Thursday, along with four other amazing artists. I was quite surprised that when I did not heard of this festival, that now it is on its sixth day of the eleven days of "infringement". So join in on the fun of screwing corporations!

Infringment Vernissage With...
Alexandra Cuellar, Stephanie Laughlin, Mr. Saad, Kayla Williamson, Chirs Zacchia
at the Barfly
4062A St-Laurent
June 25th, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
free admission
http://www.infringementfestival.com/montreal/2009/eng/25.html

Or check out the whole thing:
http://www.infringementfestival.com/montreal/

simple drawing by William Mak

2009-05-28T16:32:00.009-04:00

Ivy Howard - solo exhibition

2009-05-13T00:36:00.003-04:00

For more info:
www.avenueart.ca

Support the artists! Two sites to check out...

2009-04-09T23:46:00.010-04:00

PAPIRMASSE
Kirsten McCrea's own highly-awesome art magazine with real artworks made by the artist herself and deliver onto your own hands. The first monthly issue of Papirmasse has 1,000 copies, so buy right now by going to this site below and find the info for subscription:

hellokirsten.com/papirmasse
* * * * *

INNOVATIVE MOTION
"Creativity shall see no END!" That is the motto for the trio of artists "K", BRICC Skerritt and C.R. Dubé, to support the growing art communities in Montréal. Support them by getting handmade T-shirts; you can buy one (or two if you`re giving one to a friend as a gift) by call or e-mail. Info is on the official blog below (official site will be up soon):

innovativemotion.blogspot.com
* * * * *

Imagine: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko - MMFA exhibition

2009-04-02T14:44:00.007-04:00

Imagine: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko

FREE ADMISSION
April 2nd - June 21st, 2009

at

Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion
1380 rue Sherbrooke ouest - 3rd floor

- Press Release -

* * * * *
Here's a great illustration I found as an eulogy to Lennon by French artist Milo Manara

The Dreamachine (and a new documentary about it)

2009-03-26T18:46:00.010-04:00

With a new NFB documentary FLicKeR coming at the Cinema du Parc this Friday one would wonder, what the heck is a Dreamachine? It's a high. No, it's not a drug, nor an alcohol content, but an art object.

What?!

Yeah, it's an art object that one can see with your eyes close, and once the person approach to it can experience in dream-like states. Although the documentary about the art object is also focusing on its creator - Beat founder Brion Gysin - the film explains the outcomes of the object's viewing pleasure that end in major controversies such as reports of epilepsy and nervous shocks.

See this film, but I'll bet if there's any scenes that's not suitable for people with any sensitive epileptic disorder...

FLicKeRFLicKeR.com - official site

- article from Montreal Mirror -

Artists To Look III

2009-03-18T23:03:00.005-04:00

I'm a film fanatic, although I don't watch a lot of films. But there are people in films that interest me in a lot of ways. Here are two artists who once been into film business - an actor and a filmmaker - but kept art as a personal interest:

John Lurie
I haven't seen his latest paintings displayed at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts last few months ago, which to me I never knew that he also a painter. Slowly noticed of his art talents, his paintings created a certain playfulness and sillyness in pop-primative style. If you may heard of him, he was with the jazz combo The Lounge Lizards in his early career and was in films by Jim Jarmusch such as Stranger Than Paradise and Down By Law (see the latter; great film!)

http://www.strangeandbeautiful.com/

Chris Marker
Away from the media, he was an internationally known experimental multimedia artist since the one particular film in the 60s that made him recognizable. La Jetée (definitely see this film if you are a film student or a film lover) is an unexpected science-fiction film made almost entirely of still images, which the storyline is the inspiration for Terry Gilliam's film 12 Monkeys. Recognized later of his video art, concerning about the digital age and the technological aspects of the future.

- article from Senses of Cinema -

Ljubomir Ivankovic - solo exhibition

2009-03-18T22:17:00.001-04:00

For more info:
www.avenueart.ca

100 Ans De Hockey À Montréal - solo exhibition

2009-03-16T23:24:00.009-04:00

Remember what I said about wanting to see more artworks about Canada's national sport and seemed that exhibition Arena: Art of Hockey just wasn't enough?

It is no surprise that Montreal overcomes hockey fever, especially when this year is the hundredth anniversary of one of the greatest teams in sports history.

So what did this local artist Benoit Desfosses do to pay tribute to the Montreal Canadiens? A big, BIG series of paintings, all about the history of the Habs. What else?

100 Ans De Hockey À Montréal
An tribute exhibition by Benoit Desfosses
March 18th - April 5th, 2009
Vernissage - March 18th; 6pm - 9pm

Galerie Du Viaduc
5806 St Laurent, (Angle Bernard)
Mile-End Montréal
514-996-3410

Gallery opening hours:
Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 13h00 to 17h00
Thursday, Friday 13H00 to 21h00

More info:
- Press Release -
www.benoitdesfosses.com

Les Fleurs Du Mal - 4th issue launch

2009-03-04T23:09:00.008-05:00

Celebrate the launch of the fourth issue entitled "Secret" with a free copy of the magazine, plus live bands and free food.

$5 donation
Sunday, March 8
9:00 p.m.

at Le Bisou
4147 St-Laurent blvd
plateau Montreal

Nuit Blanche à Montréal - photos I

2009-03-04T22:39:00.008-05:00

At the Belgo... Les Territoires...

Galerie [SAS]...

...Roy Dupuis?!

Visual Voice Gallery...

... with artist Bettina Forget

Yeah right, I'm gettin' outta here!

at Complexe Desjardins...

at Palais des Congrès...

At the Old Port... Galerie Pangée...

More photos below...

...courtesy of Willy the Bum

Nuit Blanche à Montréal - photos II

2009-03-04T22:26:00.008-05:00

Galerie Saint-Dizier...

Galerie Orange...

that road steep outside looks familiar...

Galerie Plum... (hiya Annie!)

look, a ferris wheel...

welcome to Canada...

it's party time!!!

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

My deepest love for Polaroid - a very very long post

2009-02-23T21:25:00.018-05:00

5:17 pm -

I was about to pay the owner of the camera shop for one Polaroid 600 instant film pack.

"That will be $45.15," he told me.

"What the? How is it so expensive?" I asked him.

"You didn't hear? Polaroid stopped making instant film a while ago. The company went bankrupt. If it makes you a bit happy, a portion of what you pay for this pack goes to the distributors," he said with a grin.

I thought to myself, what distributors?! F---!

* * * * *

February 8th 2008 may be the day that this blog was first started by Enzo of Montreal, but - amazingly enough - it was also THE day that the Polaroid Corporation announced the discontinuation of all instant film products completely.

We have came into the next millennium with almost all cameras digitalized. We deleted bad photos to save up KBs for new ones. Afterwards we put the photos online or fix a thing or two with Photoshop and all those confusing applications.

We're living the easy way now. But not the true way.

As a kid, my father bought me the classic OneStep out of the blue. It was difficult at first, but as the years passed by, I grew more attached to the camera than anything else - other than my art supplies, of course. And the photos; those are moments, direct and true. One of my favorites I took is of my dog, surprised by the huge flash of my OneStep. My dog passed away a year later and all I have left is that Polaroid photo.

Along with my typewriter, my Polaroid camera are a great and nostalgic tool I enjoy when used for art or document. A press of the shutter button can create the truest moment captured on a photo, like a press of a letter on a typewriter until it develops into a definite truth.

Can't blame everyone who think Polaroid was "sooooo 1948" (the year Polaroid cameras reached its market) because everyone has their latest models of digital cameras - not forgetting cameras on cell phones, iPhones, iShits, and all those sophisticated digitalized crap as well. But we have no choice but to live up for the future with these tools, and so we use them to get the pictures as pixel-sharp as we like to.

Yes, I'm using a digital camera for everything, especially for this blog. Most pictures can be deleted, lost or disappear into cyberspace. Pictures come and goes.

For Polaroid, a photo in your hands is indeed a simple reminder of that certain moment in time.

And I never intent to lose it.

* * * * *

Polaroid Corp. - official site

David Hockney – Polaroid composites

Save Polaroid

The Impossible Project – The Re-invention of Instant Film

- Willy the Bum

Nuit Blanche à Montréal - more selected exhibitions

2009-02-22T19:24:00.018-05:00

Here are two more to check out on Nuit Blanche à Montréal:
* * * * *

Somnium - A Voyage to the Moon
A free book... that is what artist Bettina Forget is giving out to visitors as they come by to her exhibition. But what is she giving out are abridged copies of the first-ever science-fiction novel, by the astronomer Johannes Kepler. Her exhibition is of a series of incredible prints and collages based on the novel, and on the empty pages of the book you could illustrate drawings on your own or uses stamps made by the artists (the great part is that some stamps are in the presented gallery while the others are in different venues so that you can wander to them to receive more stamps.)

Free admission
on Nuit Blanche - February 28th
8pm - 3am

Galerie d’art contemporain Visual Voice
Belgo - Espace 421
372 rue Sainte-Catherine ouest
downtown, Montréal

Info:
montrealenlumiere.com/somnium
visualvoicegallery.com/somnium
www.bettinaforget.com

* * * * *

Si par une nuit d’hiver
Photographer Josée Pellerin captures beautiful images relating to the inspiration of author Italo Calvino (he was one of Enzo's reading inspirations when I heard of him.) Pellerin will also read to the audience excerpts from one of Calvino's novels while enjoying a cocktail or two.

Free admission
on Nuit Blanche - February 28th
8pm - 2am

Galerie Orange
81 rue Saint-Paul est
Vieux-Port, Montréal
514 396-6670

Info:
montrealenlumiere.com/nuit_dhiver
galerieorange.com/josee_pellerin
www.joseepellerin.com

* * * * *

For more information on Montréal's 6th Edition of Nuit Blanche: http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/nuit_blanche/en_bref_en.aspx http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/nuit_blanche/liste_eve_en.aspx

or the general site - Festival Montréal En Lumière (Montreal High Lights Festival): http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/accueil_en.aspx

Still more to come...

6th Edition of Nuit Blanche à Montréal - selected exhibitions

2009-02-18T21:14:00.014-05:00

I can't pull an all-nighter... period. Even so, I wish this event should be on a Sunday night, if I have to work on a day job all weekend. Nevertheless, I browsed through the catalogue to check out the shows and visited a few galleries and places today. Here are two:

* * * * *
Music, Pinecones & Peace
What a surprise! One of our blog contributors, artist Annie Briard, is having her performance show on this event. Artworks, live music and mini-gifts, with your proceeds goes to a good cause.

Free admission
on Nuit Blanche - February 28th
5 pm - 2am

Galerie Plum
360 rue Saint-François-Xavier, suite 201
Vieux-Port, Montréal
514 286-7586

Info:
montrealenlumiere.com/MP&P
www.galerieplum.com
www.anniebriard.com

* * * * *
En Masse
Twenty-five local-based artists show off their skills on every wallspace in the gallery for the whole month until the big finale on Nuit Blanche. I stopped by today to see many works in progress, and shoke hands with artist Alex Produkt while he's doing his thing with the boat up in the sky all in ink drips (see it when you'll stop by yourself).

Free admission
February 3rd - 27th (progress visits); 10am - 6pm
February 28th (Nuit Blanche - big finale); 6pm - 4am

Galerie Pangée
40 rue Saint-Paul West
Vieux-Port, Montréal
514 845-3368

Info:
montrealenlumiere.com/en_masse
galeriepangee.com/en_masse

* * * * *

For more information on Montréal's 6th Edition of Nuit Blanche:
http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/nuit_blanche/en_bref_en.aspx
http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/volets/nuit_blanche/liste_eve_en.aspx

or the general site - Festival Montréal En Lumière (Montreal High Lights Festival):
http://www.montrealenlumiere.com/accueil_en.aspx

More to come....

Girl Gang Thank You Card - performance show

2009-02-18T12:37:00.010-05:00

My performance piece will be Mortification of the Flesh:

The concept of the shade black has been shrouded in dichotomized intertextualities. Recognized as purification as well as divergently distinguished as evil, black can create a void while concurrently representing a realm of neutrality and as the sublime. Within such a realm, nothing and everything subsist together, consequentially resulting in an abstracted continuance.

Juxtaposing issues such as death/mortality, radical treatment of the flesh and identity are fundamental discursive concerns that impregnate "Mortification of the Flesh".

- Summer Geraghty

Girl Gang Thank You Card
special performance night - part of Radical Queer Week '09
Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 8:30pm - 2:00am
$8 donation

at

Chat des Artistes
2205 rue Parthenais, Montreal (metro Frontenac)

Info at: sites.google.com/site/radicalqueersemaine

* Summer's performance will starts at 8:30pm sharp! Come early!

Borges' Ars Poetica

2009-02-17T22:33:00.010-05:00

* * * * *
Ars Poetica (click here for audio)

To gaze at the river made of time and water
And recall that time itself is another river,
To know we cease to be, just like the river,
And that our faces pass away, just like the water.

To feel that waking is another sleep
That dreams it does not sleep and that death,
Which our flesh dreads, is that very death
Of every night, which we call sleep.

To see in the day or in the year a symbol
of mankind’s days and of his years,
To transform the outrage of the years
Into a music, a rumor and a symbol,

To see in death a sleep, and in the sunset
A sad gold, of such is Poetry
Immortal and a pauper. For Poetry
Returns like the dawn and the sunset.

At times in the afternoon a face
Looks at us from the depths of a mirror;
Art must be like that mirror
That reveals to us this face of ours.

They tell how Ulysses, glutted with wonders,
Wept with love to descry his Ithaca
Humble and green. Art is that Ithaca
Of green eternity, not of wonders.

It is also like an endless river
That passes and remains, a mirror for one same
Inconstant Heraclitus, who is the same
And another, like an endless river.

- Jorge Luis Borges (from Dreamtigers, 1964. Tr. by Harold Morland.)

My heart goes to my instructor and friend Ashe for introducing me this Spanish writer as a reading inspiration...

- Willy the Bum

Artists To Look II

2009-02-17T21:35:00.008-05:00

This month, I went in the Belgo building on Ste-Catherine to check out what's in stores from artist-run galleries. There were many that impressed me, but out of all one artist somewhat caught my eyes:

Tammy Salzl
The Edmonton-born artist has made quite a living here, that she is referring herself now as a Montrealer. Fascinating study of human life as subject matter in her beautiful realist paintings; every piece is painted to create a sense or a moment of existence. Her show Inherent Truths is now displaying at Les Territoires (372 Ste-Catherine O. suite 323) until February 24th, so don't miss out.

Also check out her website:
www.tammysalzl.com

- Willy the Bum

Arena: Art Of Hockey - art exhibition

2009-01-25T18:54:00.018-05:00

Mostly in full display last year by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (read the article from Canadian Art), the perfect exhibition will finally be shown in the heart of hockey world, Montréal. Go see it if you are a fan of either one of the two things (or both): art and hockey!

Arena: The Art Of Hockey
Loft Du Musée Juste Pour Rire
2111 boul. St. Laurent, Montréal
January 23rd- April 19th 2009 (10am to 9pm everyday)

ADMISSION (+ service charges)
General Admission: 12$
Children (4 – 12 yrs.): 6$
Family (2 adults, 2 children): 30$
Mondays are half price

INFOS:
Tickets: 514-845-2322
Group reservations : 514-845-3440 ext. 2245 / arena@hahaha.com

Thanks to Erica for the link:
http://www.hahaha.com/en/musee/7/3962/?nav=6

* * * * *
Review: I went on a (half-price) Monday the first week the exhibition opened its doors. I was the only visitor that day, so don't have to reserve tickets. The whole exhibition is only one-third of all artworks displayed (no space left?) and the only new thing to the show is a bunch of NFB short films including Sheldon Cohen's animation of Roch Carrier's The Sweater (both in French and English). As if that exhibition actually worth the $12 admission on any other day (except on Mondays), I don't buy it. Worth to see, but I want more!

My suggestion to visit: go on any Monday and once there, have some cash in your pockets (they don't have Interac) to buy that nice catalogue made from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (only $25), which covers all sixty-one artists' works. Others including a great poster if you are a Leafs-hater ($5) and hockey jersey with the Just For Laughs monster as the logo ($30). Good bargain!

Works to see: Charles Pachter; James Carl; Graeme Patterson; Hanson + Sonnenberg; Jean-Pierre Gauthier

- Willy the Bum (01/27/2009)

Artists To Look I

2009-01-19T18:53:00.013-05:00

Our new post segment is the artists to look for in coming times. In this first post, two artist I have met before and now, but also the two whose names will be in presence of canadian art media soon.

Kirsten McCrea
We participated in a particular group show together called THE SALON DES REFUSÉS a year ago, our thanks to Summer. I'm glad to check out what she had done since the show, up 'til now. You can find this quirky politico-pop artist in indie-art presses such as Four Minutes To Midnight and Juxtapoz Magazine, as well as having her very own website:
www.hellokirsten.com

Max Wyse
I met him while we're working our day jobs in the same building. Expectionally abstract in his works, this B.C.-born contemporary artist is sure of his name in magazines and presses; most notably and recently in Canadian Art. His website is pleasing to check out:
www.maxwyse.com

- Willy the Bum

MUFFINS ET MUSIQUE - live show

2008-12-12T12:06:00.002-05:00

Contact a:

Ursula Kobel
Studio 10 King
www.Studio10King.ca
(514) 397-9866
FAX: (413) 683-3099

William Mak - on the magazine Entre Les Lignes

2008-12-05T20:58:00.009-05:00

My unexpected little interview on the last page of this year's winter edition of Quebec's literary magazine Entre Les Lignes.

Along with my photo.

Nuts.

-Willy the Bum

S'EXPOSE - vernissage photos

2008-11-10T20:25:00.015-05:00

les oeuvres de Harold de Varennes
à Joe's Prop House
5445 de Gapsé, Mile-End
de 7 et 8 novembre 2008

Un extrait de l'art de Harold de Varennes:

L'artiste s'intéresse à l'évolution de l'Homme et à la grandeur de ses capacités. Il a développé un vocabulaire visuel qui traduit cette préoccupation autour de différents sujets tout comme: la spiritualité, le désir, la sensualité, le corps humain, l'interaction humain, etc. Ces sujets plongent l'observateur vers une réflexion d'introspection qui le pousee à jauger son ouverture sur le monde et sa capacité à accueillir l'inconnu.

(The artist is interested in the evolution of Man and the magnitude of its capacities. It developed a visual vocabulary that translates this preoccupation around different subjects such as the spiritual, the desire, the sensuality, the human body, human interaction, etc. These subjects thrust the observer towards an introspect reflexion that pushed to measure his opening into the world and his capacity to welcome the unknown one.)

- Marie Anne Bournival

Drama Queen - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T23:08:00.003-05:00

oil on canvas
40" x 60"

Cleopatra - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T23:06:00.002-05:00

oil on canvas
40" x 60"

Madonna - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T23:05:00.002-05:00

oil on canvas
40" x 40"

Prepare the Flash - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T23:04:00.002-05:00

oil on canvas
40" x 60"

Til There Was You - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T23:03:00.003-05:00

oil on canvas
40" x 60"

Piknic On Crack - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T23:01:00.003-05:00

oil on canvas
60" x 40"

Claude von Stroke - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T23:00:00.003-05:00

oil on canvas
60" x 40"

Hansel - Maha Al Sahaf

2008-11-05T22:54:00.005-05:00

oil on canvas
60" x 40"

Richard Collins - sur Galerie Art Virtuelle

2008-10-02T16:44:00.005-04:00

(post is in French...)

Veuillez visiter un tout nouveau site ou on m'a offert d'exposer pour un an (tout a fait gratuitement) une partie de mes oeuvres:
Galerie Art Virtuelle
Ça aide de se sentir a tout le moins un petit peu plus reconnu!!!

Je vais essayer de passer comme artiste professionnel au courant de l'année prochaine avec la collaboration du RAAV et d'artistes qui seraient prêt a me reconnaître comme tel!!!

Si vous connaissez un de mes pairs dans le milieu professionnel et qui crois a ce que je sois reconnu comme tel en tant qu'artiste professionnel dites lui ou elle de communiquer avec le RAAV et d'entreprendre les démarches en tant que tel si cet artiste en juge le bien fondé!!!

Merci a l'avance pour tout vos encouragements et a tout ceux et celles qui croient a ce que je fais comme univers artistique!

- Richard Collins

NEXUS Gallery - open for all artists!

2008-09-25T20:43:00.009-04:00

Nexus Gallery is open for all artists who wish to display an exhibition. Great for solos; more or less better for groups. Wide yet narrow space, great rent, and located in the heart of Montreal: the Old Port.

Send out your proposal and pictures of your artworks (JPEGs or other; no big files) Your proposal should include information about yourself and the story behind your current artworks. Each exhibition should be for at least a week or more, and rent cost depending on the duration of your exhibition.

Send in your proposal and pictures to: info@nexus-montreal.com

Check out the gallery website at: nexus-montreal.com/arts

IDENTIFY THE FIVE FLAWS / FIDO - last-minute gallery exhibitions

2008-09-19T23:02:00.006-04:00

Two exhibitions I went to see this week. The vernissages to those two were passed, but does not mean they are already down... go and check them out:

IDENTIFY THE FIVE FLAWS

Matt Watson's sketchy drawings and paintings of run-down areas of the city with the uses of recycled papers and unused objects found in junk piles, bringing the sense of stuggle yet blessing for the most essential way of life. At Le Cagibi on the corner of St-Laurent and St-Viateur. Exhibition until n/a.

For more of his works, check out his blog:
www.identifythefiveflaws.blogspot.com

FIDO

Édouard Beaudry's abstract paintings on the subject of Japanese rituals; a beautiful look of textures and patterns and the distractions of his brush strokes give a powerful meaning. At Volver Café Culturel at 5604 du Parc (close to St-Viateur). Exhibition until October 9th.

E-mail him at edouardbeaudry@gmail.com

FOOD FOR THOUGHT - gallery exhibition

2008-09-12T21:48:00.008-04:00

Le Social's Food For Thought

A host of Montreal-based, national and international artists together for a hell of a show!

A Multi-Media Exhibition and Dinner
Saturday, September 27th 2008; 6-10pm
(exhibition on display until December 2008)

at

LE SOCIAL
1445 Bishop St., downtown Montreal
(metro Guy-Concordia)

Works by Maha Al Sahaf, Andrada Anghel, Kim Billing, Judith Brisson, Heidi Daehler, Deena Dlusy-Apel, Hollie Dzama, Laura Findlay, Lindsey Fryett, Claude Grenier, Christina Hirukawa, Amélie Lamy-Beaupré, Naomi Lasry, Gabriela Ana Lim, Jennifer Lupien, Richard Müller, Julie Papier, Jennifer Persmann, Adamo Tiseo, Haley Toll and Summer Geraghty.

Curated by Summer Geraghty

For information: cyposia@gmail.com

EVOKING THE INFINITE - (last-minute) vernissage photos

2008-09-05T22:45:00.007-04:00

We've known Zee Soussane a couple of years ago, and we're happy for her solo exhibition. Here's the last-minute photos of her vernissage...

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

UPDATE: More photos (taken by the artist herself) are on the gallery's website: http://www.ctrllab.com/past_27.html

CONCRETE ARCHITECTURE - vernissage photos

2008-09-05T18:43:00.004-04:00

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

CONCRETE ARCHITECTURE - architecture exhibition

2008-08-18T21:17:00.023-04:00

And if the materialism have come back to the heart of architecture? A new method of conception that takes the material as starting point and ideal tools was tested by a class of 39 Masters students in the Architecture program at McGill University. Sample tables, artifacts, drawings, explanatory pictures, interactive sites and models give the experience a tangible narrative.

This laboratory of the "concrétude" were directed by architects Manon Asselin and Katsuhiro Yamazaki - associated TAG Workshop, young renowned Montreal firm (Prix de Rome 2008).

Phillipe Ashby, Matthew Belaen, Mikkel Bogh, Antonina Cagara, Andrew Chau, Jie Chen, Manuel Cisneros, Tania Delage, Austin Durbin, John Erana, Laurie Gonneville, Michal Gorczyca, Ravi Handa, Jennifer Ho, Patricia Joong, Pawel Karwowski, Nathan Kasten, Per Kefgen, Geoffrey Keith, Tal Losica, Benoit McNamara, Christina Neagu, Elizabeth Paden, Lucie Paquet, Guido Petinelli, Joanna Rosval, Anna Sampson, Wendy Schuster, Brownwyn Sibbald, Welland Sin, Carla Smiley, Kieron Smith, Francois St-Hilaire, Catherine Theriault, Jennifer Thorogood, Candace Wiersema, Cindy Williams, Matt Wiviott, Valerie Zollemann

Concrete Architecture
August 14th - September 13th
Vernissage:
Thursday September 4th, starting at 6pm

at

le galerie d'architecture Monopoli
181 rue St-Antoine ouest, Old-Port
(metro Place D'Armes)

REVIEW:
A fascinating look on the use of
simple materials to create complex
yet wonderful buildings. I got there to see
blueprints of each architect's
imagination, along with samples of the materials
being placed in the middle
of the gallery. Don't miss out on this exhibit!

-Willy the Bum

STAGNITTA/MAK - vernissage photos II

2008-08-16T20:20:00.005-04:00

Thank you Kat! I always love the black & whites... -Willy the Bum

photos courtesy of KatJar

08-08-08 - vernissage photos

2008-08-09T16:58:00.004-04:00

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

08-08-08 - gallery exhibition

2008-08-06T00:04:00.009-04:00

One of our laid-back friends we known since college - Jimmy Baptiste a.k.a. "PKSO" - is having his solo exhibition at Blizzarts Lounge (3956a St-Laurent blvd, above des Pins) this Friday night - August 8th starting at 9pm (a cover charge of $5 after 11pm).

Not only does he has an art exhibition there, but also live music by his pals DJ Lexis and Claudio Marzano.

Check out PKSO's blog at:
herbnart.blogspot.com

(Memo to Jimmy - big thanks for coming to our vernissage! *Enzo & Willy)

STAGNITTA/MAK - vernissage photos

2008-08-03T17:31:00.014-04:00

Thank you all very much for coming to our vernissage!

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

STAGNITTA/MAK - visiting hours

2008-08-02T18:30:00.012-04:00

The exhibition STAGNITTA/MAK will be up for the week (August 1st-7th) at Nexus gallery (218 St-Paul west), except that the place was not open in schedule. I may be in the gallery to promote during opening hours. Here's my predicted schedule for the gallery (note-schedule below are uncertain):

Saturday the 2nd: closed
Sunday the 3rd: closed
Monday the 4th: 9am-12pm
Tuesday the 5th: 12pm-6pm
Wednesday the 6th: 9am-12pm
Thursday the 7th: 12pm-6pm

Call the gallery at (514) 288-1393 to know the opening hours/book visits
or
send us a reply for setting up visits or personal tour with me at communitycritique@gmail.com

Nexus gallery (directions):
metro Square-Victoria (green line) - take McGill avenue (toward the Old Port) until you reach St-Paul, then turn left and pass 2 blocks until you reach 218.

* * * * *

(08/05/2008) UPDATE:

The remaining days of this week are open during these times:
Tuesday the 5th: 10am-6pm
Wednesday the 6th: 10am-2pm*
Thursday the 7th: 10am-6pm**

*I will give a personal tour around 1pm - Willy the Bum
**I will come in around noon to promote on its last day - Willy the Bum

Thank you!

Submissions for Le Social's upcoming art event

2008-07-28T18:57:00.019-04:00

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS*

(* deadline expired)

We are looking for artists who work with painting, drawing*, photography*, fibers*, or any piece that can be mounted on a wall (without distracting clientele).

Le Social (1445 Bishop Street, above Ste.Catherine), a gorgeous downtown venue, has ample wall space and an elegant décor that will make you feel welcome. Close to most downtown activities, the sophistication and funkiness of this establishment is an excellent local to expose and sell your art work.
The place has recently opened a fine restaurant within their venue. We are organizing an art/dinner event in which we can dine on some scrumptious cuisine while perusing and admiring your art that will be adorning the walls.

The event's vernissage will take place the last Saturday - September 27th, 2008 - and will run until December 2008.

To apply, please send via e-mail one to two pieces of work in the form of JPEGs attached with your artist statement. The deadline for submissions is September 10th, 2008.*

Please specify the following (per piece):

Your name
Name of piece
Medium
Year fabricated

Please send your submissions or have any questions/information to Summer Geraghty, c/o Le Social at cyposia@gmail.com

*For your work's own safety, please consider framing your art. No damages will be reimbursed.

STAGNITTA/MAK - gallery exhibition

2008-06-30T17:43:00.025-04:00

It is official. Myself and Enzo of Montreal will be having the show by ourselves in a month! This is the second show we did together (the first was the WALLSPACE exhibition with three other artists) and we're getting the hang of it. Of course we have to be calm and patient, the month will go by very fast... so here's a little statement I wrote below:

The budding friendship between artists Vincenzo Stagnitta and William Mak is an unique one. They are mere beyond different; they are apparent opposites. Yet they somewhat admired with each other's artistic talents. With their artworks placed besides together present the audience the differences of two worlds. Stagnitta's highly colourful abstract "linescapes" creates beautiful blends of imagination and beauty, whereas Mak's roughest black-and-white realistic cityscapes bring out the nostalgia of our pasts. Displaying two artists' works together reinvent a sense of an overall meaning that is "a just part of life".

STAGNITTA / MAK
August 1st - August 7th, 2008
Vernissage:
Friday August 1st, 6pm - 10pm

at

NEXUS gallery
218 rue St-Paul ouest, Old-Port
(metro Square Victoria/Place D'Armes)

DISMEMBERSHIP/ARBORESCENCE RED - vernissage photos

2008-04-25T16:42:00.014-04:00

DISMEMBERSHIP (April 21-May 3, 2008)
VAV gallery (1395 René-Lévesque West, corner Crescent)
works by Laura Findlay, Dominique Martineau, Ed Janzen

ARBORESCENCE RED

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum

Desperately Seeking Panda - William Mak

2008-04-22T15:54:00.018-04:00

4" x 2.5"
made with 100% handmade recycled newsprint
2008

First printing (24): gift exchange project for drawing group
Second printing (8): not distributed as of yet...

April 22nd is Earth Day, so it is a coincidence to have made a comic book before that seems fit for an ecological celebration. It is indeed about a panda who feels the need for loving by writing up a classified ad. The paper itself is made from the pulp of old newspapers with a touch of brown dye from onion skins. I finally did and enjoyed what I have done to make a comic book since I was young, so it is possible to make more of the Panda series coming soon. Meanwhile for the second printings, I may start a contest or a raffle for the lucky eight winners to get this specially cute comic book. I will keep you posted soon.

- Willy the Bum

ARBORESCENCE RED - artist exhibition

2008-04-13T19:26:00.006-04:00

Annie Briard presents Arborescence RED, an interdisciplinary show about our relationship to nature, and the irony of the 'green' phenomenon. NEXUS gallery, one of the newest creative spaces in town mixing art, spirituality and body, will be transformed into a unique experience of fairytales and strange horrific twists.

Includes amongst other works an animation installation about a lonely girl's love affair with her houseplant; paintings; fibre art and video.

Arborescence RED
April 22nd - May 15th, 2008
Vernissage: Thursday April 24th, 7pm - 11pm

at

NEXUS gallery
218 St-Paul W. (metro Place D'Armes)

For more info, check out her site:
www.anniebriard.com

THE SALON DES REFUSÉS - vernissage photos

2008-04-13T19:19:00.003-04:00

photos courtesy of Willy the Bum