REAL MAN AND WOMAN:
“Amity” by Bernard Fleetwood-Walker

A road trip to Ottawa may not seem the most tantalizing way to spend a summer day, but the National Gallery of Canada’s newest exhibition—The 1930’s: The Making of “The New Man”—is worth a visit.

Brilliantly organized by a curatorial team from Canada and France, the show has the big names that draw crowds (Dali, Kandinsky, Picasso) but is notable for the wide array of works by lesser-known artists.

The exhibition locates its unique interpretation of the decade in the “unexpected importance for art of biological models.”

Tracing the development of this new man from its genesis through to the athletic perfection depicted in fascist propaganda, the show also pays homage to those shut out by the establishment at the time, the “degenerates” and ordinary folk who didn’t fit this new ideal.

On Thursday evenings, a series of films further investigate these themes. Beginning with a documentary about the making of Leni Riefenstahl’s Triumph of the Will (which screens as part of the exhibit), the series also includes Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator and Marcel Ophüls’ moving epic about the Nazi occupation of Clermont-Ferrand, The Sorrow and the Pity. At 380 Sussex Drive until September 7.

by STACEY DEWOLFE

Radical mapping

A NEW WORLD: By Pedro Lasch

A fascinating collection of cartography has its vernissage from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 20 at Skol (314–372 Ste-Catherine W.). Exploring a host of contemporary socio-political issues—from extraordinary rendition, to air quality, to deportation and migration—An Atlas of Radical Cartography began its life in an entirely different form.

“Originally this was just going to be a book project” said co-curator Lize Mogel, “but then it made sense to make an exhibition from it. We wanted people to be able to experience the works on a different scale.”

Comprising works by artists, architects and designers from around the world, the show, which runs until July 8, was motivated in part by a desire to bring new attention to the ongoing practice of map-making in the cultural sphere.

Culled from previously produced works and those acquired through an open call in 2006, the 10 maps on display have manifold effects. Often stunning to behold, they are powerful documents, telling their stories through a visual medium that allows for the information to wash over the viewer, understood on an intellectual, cognitive level, but deeply felt as well.

by STACEY DEWOLFE

Indo fashion inspiration

“Hungama is the announcement of something new and exciting,” says Prem United founder Adhika Maharaj. “With relation to fashion, it’s our premiere Indo-inspired fashion show.”

EASTERN FLAVOUR: Design by Ratansi

Maharaj started Prem United, a cultural talent agency, four years ago as a side project with an idea to help promote South Asian talent and create opportunities for anyone that has a passion for South Asian arts.

Since then, they’ve done a bunch of different events, everything from a voyage into Bollywood music to a Vedic dinner party, all to showcase up and coming artists and professionals.

“In the past, the events have always been more or less musical,” she says, but Hungama 2008 marks the company’s foray into the world of fashion. Featuring both womenswear and menswear, Hungama consists of new collections by Shaleen Ratansi and Robi Gocool, local designers who create wearable fashions with an Indo-twist.

The collections make their way down the runway at Cabaret Juste pour rire (2111 St-Laurent) on Saturday, June 21, 8 p.m., $10.

by SACHA JACKSON

 

Hip Hop ’08

Montrealer Steve Bolton originally got into hip hop dance because he liked the “freedom of expression,” and says it kept him out of trouble. Now, he’s heading up the third Canadian Hip Hop Championships.

REPRESENTIN’:
Irratik at ’07’s Worlds

This weekend, Montreal hosts the East Coast finals, and qualifying crews move on to the World Hip Hop Championships next month in Las Vegas, where over 30 countries will be participating. Last year, two of Montreal’s crews, the Unit and Irratik, both from the West Island, took first and second place in their age categories.

Bolton thinks that Montreal has developed a strong presence because the Toronto and Vancouver scenes are more developed. “When you’re an underdog, you just push really hard,” he explains. “We’re very hungry.”

Catch the 300 b-boys and girls in action at the preliminary rounds at the Salle Marie-Gérin Lajoie (405 Ste-Catherine E.), this Saturday, June 21 at 7:30 p.m., and in the finals Sunday, June 22, 7:30 p.m., $20, (514) 790-1245.

by MARITES CARINO

Is it art?

PERSONAL PLEASURE: The Cone might look like a fancy kitchen tool for expertly juicing lemons, but it’s actually the latest in dildos.

Created by a company out of the U.K., the toy, which is apparently very, very comfortable and made of a “soft, squidgy plastic,” is about to revolutionize the sex toy industry.

Starting life as a wooden S&M chair, it wasn’t until the would-be “torture” device was found to be a little too comfortable that the idea took shape.

Armed with 16 different programs (one happy customer says setting four is the best) and a motor capable of 3,000 rpm, and its unnatural design, the toy is set to rival anything Mother Nature or other sex toy companies have invented.

www.conevibrator.co.uk

Arts hole

RUMMAGE SALE: Celebrate summer and recycling at Éco-Fête, a large outdoor garage sale put on by TOHU. The sale, which boasts everything from vintage vinyl to crockery and baby clothes, runs Saturday, June 21 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Place publique de la TOHU (2345 Jarry E.). ART FOR ALL: Contemporary art lovers should check out Collectionner l’art, presented by l’Association des galeries d’art contemporain. The exhibition aims at appealing to both the collector and the general public with work from different mediums and artists. Vernissage takes place tonight, Thursday, June 19 at 5 p.m. at Salle de diffusion de Parc-Extension, Complexe William-Hingston (421 St-Roch). LAST CHANCE: It’s the last weekend to catch Recent Works by Gwenaël Bélanger at Galerie Graff (963 Rachel E.). The exhibition closes this Saturday, June 21 at 5 p.m.

Artistat

The number of artists in residence at l’Atelier Circulaire (5445 de Gaspé) who will be exhibiting in Envol 3, which opens tomorrow night, Friday, June 20 at 5:30 p.m. at the address above: 6