by CHRISTINE REDFERN

Khrystell Burlin's videos are a creative mash of superimposition and stroboscopic or stop-motion effects, combined with the rich textures and colours associated with classical European painting. His technique of meshing repetitive rhythm and textural effects, he says, takes its inspiration from the music of American composers Steve Reich and Philip Glass, and the film work of Jean Piché, Derek Jarman, Peter Greenaway and Abel Gance.

Originally from France, Burlin lived briefly in the States before settling in Montreal in 2000. His newest video is a two-DVD widescreen work he named Theseus after the mythological Greek figure who confronts the Minotaur in the labyrinth. It continues his very descriptive style in which his characters are often powerless to overcome events arising from their environment. Questions relating to individualism and male-female relations strongly influence his work. "In our society, I have the impression that people often feel alone, which is paradoxical since there has never been so much talk about communication," he says.

Theseus will be one of five videos that kick off the new video programming at the Musée d'art contemporain this Jan. 12-30. A three-screen (long version) of the video will also be shown in Montreal this spring as part of the Elektra Festival. Burlin's videos have already played in London, Berlin, Budapest, Tokyo, Sydney and Bangkok - amongst other places - and will continue to be shown internationally in 2005.

On top of his burgeoning video career, it may be surprising to learn that Burlin studied composition at the Bordeaux Conservatory and remains a devoted musician. "I work six to seven months on video, the rest of the year on music," he says. "This coming year I hope to release an album of my electronic music."