Being red

The involuntary, hot facial flush that overcomes even the coolest of us is the inspiration behind Blush, a work by Belgian choreographer, dancer, actor and director Wim Vandekeybus. "You can not deny the blush," he explains. "It is an impulse, a reflex. It's one of my obsessions."

It's been four years since the Vandekeybus was last in town with his company Ultima Vez, a vehicle for his physical and theatrical style of choreography. In Blush, he tackles the theme of love by exposing it in as raw a way as possible. "What intrigues me is to show the real, rough emotions," he says. "Emotions that burst out when one is not bound by social rules." Set to a driving soundtrack by David Eugene Edwards, dancers hurtle through the varying feelings brought on by love, both good and bad. And when was the last time Vandekeybus blushed? "I don't remember," he claims. "And if I did, I probably wouldn't tell you." The show runs Nov. 4–5 at Place des Arts, 842-2112 to reserve. » Marites Carino

Canadian landscape twist

Using deft brushwork and a palette of acid greens, vibrant pinks and neon blues, Christine Major presents a series of seductive paintings of animals at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The first canvas I look at is called "Wild Dogs" and shows the canines roaming on an open plain at sunset. Discussing the work with the artist, I find out the subjects were not alive in the great outdoors, but are actually a taxidermist's handiwork on display at the Smithsonian. On glancing around the gallery it quickly becomes apparent that all of the works show animals in manmade environments: monkeys leaning on cars, caged tigers and even the amusing inclusion of the artist's own studio. Major's work fits within the new Canadian Landscape tradition that sees artists depicting nature not en plein air from their canoes, but filtered through car windows, television sets and photographs. Vivarium runs until March 13, free, 285-1600 for more info. » Christine Redfern

Knowing Nijinsky

Using the turbulent life of Russian ballet dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, choreographer Majdi Bou-Matar makes a stop in Montreal with the Canadian premiere of his quintet Nijinsky, through a window. Matar, who immigrated to Canada from Lebanon last year takes some of Nijinsky's personal experiences - explorations of his identity and mental illness - and weaves them into a theatre-dance piece at Tangente (840 Cherrier), running Nov. 6 at 8:30 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 4 p.m., $12.

The work is part of the Festival du Monde Arabe de Montréal, which celebrates Arabic culture through music, literature, cinema and dance. Also, look out for choreographers Motaz Kabani and Imed Jemaa who are part of the fest, which continues into next week. Visit www.festivalarabe.com for more info. » Marites Carino

Industry beeswax

Montreal experimental filmmaker and visual artist Richard Kerr wowed audiences with his 2003 short Collage d'Hollywood. Kerr created the film after he found 50 trailers that had been left behind in a ramshackle prairie drive-in theatre. The artist then completely reinvigorated the trailers, giving them entirely new meanings by overlapping them and repeating them, juxtaposing their varied messages, ideas and images. Kerr's ongoing fixation with cinema continues this week, as Industrie/Industry, his latest installation, opens at the Cinémathèque québécoise (335 de Maisonneuve E.). The installation will include a triptych-style projection of Collage d'Hollywood, as well as a dual projector slide show and a series of film frames embossed in beeswax. Kerr is one of the most intriguing film artists currently working in Canada, and his Industrie/Industry launches today, Nov. 4, at 5:30 p.m., and continues until Jan. 23. » Matthew Hays

Is it Art?

DARK DAYS AHEAD: Has Halloween postpartum got you down? Become a goth! Written by Montrealer Nancy Kilpatrick, a denizen of the dark side herself, The Goth Bible should set you up nicely. The book covers topics such as corset lacing, goth corporate survival strategies, goth sex, goth gardening and how to hold a picnic in the cemetery, putting to death the stereotype that our pasty-faced friends are nothing but morbid psychos. Goths come in many types (Dark Fairy, Diva, Gothabilly, Slut, Poseur, Cyber, Graver, Egyptian and Blood Drinker - to name a few), brought together by a centuries-old tradition and the motive "make room for the noir in a global culture that favours white and prefers its darkness sanitized." St. Martins Griffin, pb, $29.95, eyeliner not included.

ArtsHole

HELPING HAITI: To raise money for the more than 200,000 Haitians who lost their belongings, homes and livelihood due to Hurricane Jeanne, Floetik Arts, founded last year by Canadian-Haitian Dukeslande Florestal, is hosting a fashion auction with proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross. It takes place this Saturday, Nov. 6, at Gallery 1225 (1225 de la Montagne) with a cocktail at 5 p.m. and auction at 7:30 in the company of new artworks by Jacques Clement and David Macleod. • PROJECTING LA PAZ: Mexican artist Angel Lagunes' simple, symbolic serigraphs reflect his disdain for violence of all types with cynicism and a comic-book sensibility. La Violencia is on display at Grave (16 Forges, Victoriaville) from Nov. 5 until Dec. 10.

ARTISTAT: Number of the 68 finalists for the Canada Council's 2004 Governor General's Literary Awards (in seven categories in each official language) who are under 35 years old: 6

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