FINDING A BALANCE: From The Gate

Being partners in life and work is not always an easy feat, but choreographer-dancer Teoma Naccarato and filmmaker Desh Fernando seem to have figured it out. “Creatively, we’re very compatible and we’ve found a good way of balancing each other,” says Naccarato.

Five years ago, the Concordia dance grad crossed paths with Fernando during their dance studies. Fernando, however, carried on to finish a film degree, and the two have been creating alongside since.

The pair has recently launched their dance film company Nacando Productions, which aims to make dance more accessible through film.

“It was just a natural step,” explains Fernando. “Dance films direct the focus and perspective to an audience,” he explains.

“That’s not possible in a theatre setting.” Naccarato adds, “The audience becomes aware of things that are not visible on stage. It can bring in details like facial expression.”

The couple presents The Gate, an hour-long show that includes three dance pieces and four films, one of which was inspired by a Margaret Atwood poem and shot in the Eastern Townships.

At the Fringe’s venue 1 (840 Cherrier), starting Saturday, June 14 at. 6:15 p.m. www.montrealfringe.ca.

by MARITES CARINO

Fandemonium

CODED LOVE: From Long Shot

Take a break from the Fringe shenanigans at Parc des Amériques and make your way north to la Centrale (4296 St-Laurent) to check out Long Shot by Montreal’s Jo-Anne Balcaen.

Comprised of three videos, the installation is an exploration of how an otherwise rational mind can become deluded into thinking that its actions—driven by the obsessive fan’s ability to see connections where none exist—are natural and logical.

The object of affection is identified only as a member of a “semi-famous group from Toronto” (the show’s program coordinator knows more, but is staying respectfully mum).

Oblivious to the fact that he has made “meaningful eye contact” with the female narrator, he approaches her backstage. And though he only wants to get his shoes, that moment of possibility sustains her as she drives into the Ontario countryside in search of his house.

Many of us have experienced the wonders of the talent-crush at some point in our lives, and fantasized about how things could be… if only. Balcaen’s exploration takes this one step further, delivering epiphanies—that the songs contain hidden messages, that his house is ONLY four hours away—that speak to the fine line between enthusiastic fan and celebrity stalker.

by STACEY DEWOLFE

Beyond the fringe

Growing beyond a wish to give the “regular” Fringe Festival a poke in the eye, the Montreal Infringement Festival of theatre, video, music, visual arts and culture jamming is now home to any and all who challenge the status quo.

PROTECTIVE JAMMING GEAR: Monsieur Fortuer

Since the first impromptu Montreal event in ’04, Infringement fests have sprouted across Canada and into the U.S., with the first ever European edition last year in Bordeaux, France. All aiming, they state, to create a space for critical artists to collaborate, “...and, above all, play.”

One of the larger events, a multi-performer Poetic Tea & Jam is on Saturday, June 14 from 5–10 p.m., at the Infringement Factory (648 Wellington #450). It features an Authentic Automatic Tea Ceremony, “Weaving Words With Life” panel, and jam session afterward to round out the evening; all are welcome regardless of musical ability (bring your noise makers).

Check the site, infringementfestival.com/montreal, for events after June 14—the schedule for the rest of the fest is filling out...slowly. After all, organizers are on anarchist time. Montreal Infringement Festival continues to June 29.

by NEIL BOYCE

 

Pin me

Are you searching for a little extra flair, that certain something to jazz up a snazzy vest or festoon your fannypack? Then look no further than Pindemonium 04, the yearly vernissage and trade fair, curated by Melissa Campbell and Lisa Fitzhugh, is devoted to celebrating that fashion accessory extraordinaire, the pin.

SIMPLY U: By BreeRee

Held in a different location each June, this year’s event takes place tomorrow night, Friday, June 13 at 8 p.m. at the Long Haul Corrid’art (450 Beaumont).

Featuring the work of over 50 local artists, designers and craftspersons, what makes the event unique is its mandate to encourage a free exchange of ideas (and art) amongst participants and visitors. With this eye to fostering community, and a spirit of conviviality, the event is great fun, and allows for the bridging of that sometimes (at least seemingly) unbridgeable gap between artist and art-goer.

Artists are given a bag of their own pins at the beginning of the evening and visitors may purchase a mixed bag when entering the space. There will also be over 70 pins on display by artists such as Vanessa Yanow, Sherwin Tjia and BreeRee.

Let the trading begin!

by STACEY DEWOLFE

Is it art?

NESTING: Belgian artist Benjamin Verdonck built a nest on the 13th floor of the Weena Tower in Rotterdam and proceeded to live like a bird.

Over seven days, as Verdonck made himself at home, the ground below was modified to reflect nature. The street was spattered with bird shit, straw, twigs and neon pink feathers—which the artist first wore as a headdress as he stood on top of the nest and then scattered over the surroundings—and a giant egg appeared on the street opposite.

According to his Web site, www.benjamin-verdonck.be, the nest was made of “the crowns of 23 silver birches, two straw bales, one bucket of spit, three bags of sand, 12 buckets of glue and 19 cans of polyurethane foam.”

Though the goal remains unclear, it’s possible he was making a statement about the current environmental situation. His site says Weena is the most polluted street in the city and at one point in his nonsensical nest ramblings you can find this gem, “Shit in your own nest, get yourself in trouble and then where will you go?”

Arts hole

THE WINNER IS...: Mirror writer Matthew Hays took a top prize at this year’s Lambada Literary Awards in L.A. His book, The View From Here, won for best book published in 2007 in the Arts and Culture category. A well-deserved win, congratulations Matt!
• RELATIONSHIPS ARE TOUGH: Gleams Theatre end their season with a final performance of When a Man and a Woman on June 14 at Diamond Bookstore (5035 Sherbrooke W.). Three short plays on how couples occasionally get along are tied together by an operatic waiter. Call ahead, (514) 518-3880, only 21 seats available.

Artistat

The number of artists participating in Circa gallery’s (372 Ste-Catherine W., #444) show Jouer avec le feu, celebrating the gallery’s 20 years of existence, on Saturday, June 14 from 3–6 p.m., featuring works of ceramic art, a medium not all the artists were used to working with: 35