So long, stethoscope

Once a Harvard pre-med student with a conceivably very secure future, an undergrad photography elective opened Mike Durcak's eyes to the world of fine arts, he switched academic gears, and now he's a very smart guy who takes pictures.

Durcak's photos are of the slice-of-life variety, tracing evolving relationships over the years in a similar vein to one of Harvard's esteemed profs, Nan Goldin, though without all the vice. "I'm not much of an alternative lifestyle type of person," says Durcak (who was slated to be Goldin's TA until she bailed, prompting his return home to Montreal). "Alot of people lean on sensationalism in their work in order for people to look at it. For me this is a way to remember my relationships and what I think represents that reality like I see it."

As for the turn away from the reality of science, he has no regrets: "Basically I was sitting in these giant lecture halls with 5,000 students, and I thought, well, if I don't become a physician, the guy next to me will. We'll always need ideas, and if I can add two or three to the world then I'm happy."

The show opens at Blizzarts (3956A St-Laurent) tonight, March 3, from 7–10 p.m. with a looping projection show that can also be seen from March 6–8. » Matthew Woodley

Chariots and fire

Ever wanted to throw bricks at the players during a play? Now you can! But chances are it won't be because you're raging mad, rather because you're right in the middle of the action in one of the wildest stories every told, a 1959 four-hour film saga (in which an actor actually died while shooting a chariot race) condensed into a very reasonable 60 minutes of live performance.

Ben Hur: The Epic has been on the shelf for a few years while main writer Eric Amber was "dealing with construction logistics in [his] second language in the most heavily unionized province in the universe" - that is, building the Théâtre Ste-Catherine (264 Ste-Catherine E.). And now that the place is on a roll, he's bringing Ben back, not to mention playing all characters except the hero (Second City's Derek Flores) and the villain (Gemini-nominated Rebecca Northan). He also made the Henson-esque puppets (foam) who round out the cast and the aforementioned bricks (also foam). "It's Nerf-theatre," says Amber. "It's high-energy, fun, and you get to throw bricks."

Bringing together lepers, chariots and Jesus, Ben Hur wowed 'em in Australia, Scotland, at Carnegie Hall (the one in Pittsburgh) and sets out to do the same here until March 13, Wed.–Sat. at 8 p.m.; and Sat.–Sun. at 2 p.m., $10–$15, 284-3939. » Matthew Woodley

Tokyo tune-in

Montreal dance fans will be the first in the country to catch a glimpse of contemporary Japanese dance company Leni-Basso when Tokyo choreographer Akiko Kitamura brings her work, Finks, to Usine C (1345 Lalonde) this week.

Touring the globe since 2001, the theatrical multi-disciplinary septet places a video camera in each corner of the performance space, forming a giant backdrop of bigger-than life projections of the dancers. The piece questions and explores the ideas of communication and its absence through images and time lags, while immersing the audience in Kitamura's all-encompassing world of movement, sound and images. Only in her mid-30s, Kitamura's style has already garnered plenty of international recognition. To see what all the fuss is about, reserve tickets at 521-4493. » Marites Carino

Drum beats and bytes

Aboriginal artists working with technology-based mediums have taken over the galleries at 4001 Berri. Curator Steve Loft presents Language of Intercession, a taster pack showcasing a wide variety of subjects and interests pursued by six native artists using New Media.

Upstairs at Oboro (#301) is a quirky, very white room created by KC Adams, a place where odd little robotics light up or make noise in response to the viewer sitting down. Unfortunately, next door in Oboro's other room, Ahasiw Maskegon-Iskwew's Web site/network seems lost in the large gallery space.

Dazibao (#202) hosts Dana Claxton's four-channel video. a visual blend of traditional Lakota beliefs and items. And Articule (#105) shows Skawennati Tricia Fragnito's karaoke videos of (bad) '80s songs, a digital triptych by Stephen Foster and Archer Pechawis' Web site on living with HIV/AIDs. Though none of the works are thematically linked, humour - an integral part of Canada's aboriginal voices - runs through many of the pieces. A breath of fresh air in the often-too-serious visual arts scene, the exhibition runs until March 19. » Christine Redfern

Is it Art?

DE-CLOG WITH CONSCIENCE: Nobody needs a feng shui master to tell them that a well-hidden plunger improves bathroom Ch'i. But what if your cupboard is too small for the ol' loo loosener? A-ha! Toilet Tree is the next best thing to a plunger you can actually flush. Part plant, part crapper de-clogger, the doohickey comes with a faux shrub that sits on top of the plunger handle, which rests on a tray that keeps bacteria off the floor. And not only does a Toilet Tree look good in the john, for each one sold, the company will see to it that the National Arbor Day Foundation (USA) plants a real tree, making our outdoor world a more beautiful place as well - www.toilettrees.com to order your own.

ArtsHole

TATTOO FOR YOU: The Holy Body Tattoo brings its newest creation, monumental, to the Usine C (1345 Lalonde), opening this Wednesday, March 9. The piece brings together nine dancers who move to music by godspeed you black emperor! and les Tambours du Bronx. It runs until March 12, $18–$30, 521-4493. • TROUBLE IN THE FOREST: Tricia Middleton assembles post-industrials (mostly junk) into a parodic installation "almost at the point of decomposition" in her show The Woods, which is also rife with cinematic and literary references. It opens at Sköl (372 Ste-Catherine W., #314) on March 4, 5 p.m., and continues until April 2. Middleton presents her work on Sunday, March 12, at 3 p.m.

ARTISTAT: Number of ceramic arts students and faculty who have fired up creations for Concordia's Infinite... les objects, a collaborative installation at the VAV Gallery (1395 René-Lévesque W.) until March 5: 50

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