Master of puppets
WORLD ON STRINGS: Burkett’s masterful creations
Ronnie Burkett allows that some people might see his approach to theatre as megalomaniacal. Just because he writes the script, conceives the production and plays all the characters himself.
The Alberta native, who brings his latest creation, 10 Days on Earth, to the Cinquième Salle from Nov. 8–17, is one of the world’s foremost puppeteers. Burkett explains his attraction to puppetry from a very young age in a slightly different way. “It’s the perfect job for a terrified loner,” he says.
10 Days tells the story of Darrel, an intellectually challenged adult living with his elderly mother. Multiple puppets portray the characters at various stages of their lives. Since several of his scripts have been published, people have approached Burkett about performing them with live actors, but so far he has resisted.
“What I’m really waiting for is for some audacious punk to show up,” says Burkett. “Someone who’s also a designer and a puppet-builder, who wants to take a crack at my work. I’d love that.”
For tickets, call (514) 842-2112.
by AMY BARRATT
Balls out
BIG RED BALLS: “Lip Ruddy Rose”Saskatoon-based Patrick Traer is the first artist I’ve come across who is adept in the art of upholstery. His 600-pound red leather sculpture, “Lip Ruddy Rose”—consisting of two big balls hanging from a vertical, concave, circle—is now on display in the Parisian Laundry’s bunker space (3550 St-Antoine W.).
Traer explains, “The title is a play on colours of lipstick, but it also refers to rose windows. In this space, it really works well as a kind of rose window. I also see it as a sphincter…my works are exaggerations of sexuality.”
I realize this sounds ridiculous, but just try to resist rubbing those balls if you visit this installation. When you walk around the back of the piece, you can see that it consists of a wooden structure covered in many layers. Traer tells me it is built exactly the same way you would build a couch. He does not see his pieces as furniture though, more like high-end luxury goods, similar to a Gucci bag.
Traer exclaims, “My dream is to show my work in Gucci’s storefront window in Paris.” Exhibition runs until Dec. 15, info: (514) 989-1056.
by CHRISTINE REDFERN
Language, language
Rachel Zolf (a Torontonian) and Jeff Derksen (a Vancouverite) are poets who grapple with language on all levels; Derksen is a founding member of the  language-centric Kootenay School of Writing, while Zolf daily deconstructs the blowback of writing corporate copy. They’re reading this Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. as part of the Atwater Poetry Project (1200 Atwater), free.
“I’ll be reading from a book in progress, The Soft Coup,” says Derksen. “It’s a big-issues book, like so many these days: you know, globalization’s lack of imagination, capitalism’s return to the 16th century, zombie political discourse, cities transformed into one-stop off-shore condo shopping...”
Zolf will read new work on competing knowledge in Israel-Palestine, as well as exploring texts from her latest book. “Reading from Human Resources has been interesting and quite surprising,” says Zolf. “The text has a dynamic and kinetic life of its own in performance that you can’t anticipate reading it on the page.” Free.
by VINCENT TINGUELY
Mistress of puppets
In Conte de poussières, a girl named Ophelia, who has been in hiding, decides to return to the world of the living. In her voyage, she encounters a woman and a  puppet who help her return. This disturbing yet poetic tale written by Karina Mancini forms the base for highly physical choreography by Marie-Julie Asselin.
The hour-long piece, for two dancers, marionette and puppeteer, marks the first time Asselin has worked with a puppet. Cendre is a four-foot, life-like puppet with blonde tussled hair and an intriguing look about her. “When my kids’ friends came over and saw the puppet, they were scared!” laughs Asselin.
Billed as a show for ages 12 and up, Asselin says the choreography has a wide appeal because of its multi-layered nature. “After our show in St. John’s, somebody came up to us and said, ‘That was scary, trashy and sexy!’” Asselin’s Compagnie de la Tourmente is on stage at the TOHU (2345 Jarry E.) this Saturday, Nov. 10, 8 p.m. Call to reserve your free pass: (514) 376-8648.
by MARITES CARINO
Is it art?
I, ADVERTISE: As if advertising didn’t get enough of our attention already, it seems one ingenious man out in California has figured out a way to “turn anyone into an interactive, on-the-go advertisement, promotion or message.”
 The result is the My-iButton. Hovering somewhere between a novelty gift item and an advertising tool, the multimedia brooch features a high-quality screen with audio and video options. Influenced by political badges worn by candidate supporters on the election trail, the button is designed to be reused by companies and individuals alike to promote everything from a growing baby (the sonogram photos are so cute!) to the latest flavour of cola.
With up to eight hours of battery power and a USB connection, you can upload just about anything onto your My-iButton, allowing you to replay your favourite Sunday sermon or debaucherous Vegas stag, over and over and over. www.my-ibutton.com
Arts
hole
DEAD SEXY: Halloween is over but the Dead Doll Dancers are keeping things spooky with The Rotting Flesh Revue this Saturday, Nov. 10, Café Cleopatra (1230 St-Laurent), $10. • EVolving trends: Fashion marketing students at LaSalle College will be showcasing the trends of the season this Monday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent) with their show Chiaroscuro themed on the evolution of self-discovery. • THE WALL: This Sunday, Nov. 11 Tadamon! present’s Artists Against Apartheid, a multidisciplinary event at Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent) featuring music and film that celebrates the Palestinian voice. Suggested donation $10.
Artistat
Number of years Salon du Livre, taking place Nov 14–19 at Place Bonaventure, has been celebrating and showcasing French-language writers, publishers and booksellers: 30 |
