FLEXIBLE ARRANGEMENT: Myth

At the young age of 32, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui has already made waves internationally with his choreographies that question the themes of philosophy, faith and religion. The Flemish choreographer, born to a Belgian mother and Moroccan father, was brought up in a household where he was raised a Muslim.

However, things changed. “I was a non-believer from my 12th birthday on, and I had a struggle to find my own morality,” says the choreographer between rehearsals in Berlin.

Cherkaoui returns to Montreal with Myth, the second part of a trilogy he started with the “apocalyptic” Foi, which Montrealers saw in 2003. Cherkaoui says that this time around, the eclectic Foi characters return to struggle with “certain problems” and “are battling with their shadows.”

In addition to 14 dancer/artist/acrobats, Cherkaoui works with a medieval vocal-instrumental group, Micrologus Ensemble, who join the cast on a stage that resembles a library and “purgatory.”

If you want to hear more about the background of the work, show up 45 minutes before showtime for a discussion about the piece, which runs Oct. 10 and 11 at 8 p.m. at Place des Arts (Théâtre Maisonneuve), (514) 842-2112.

by MARITES CARINO

Marital arts

ENGAGING PROCESS: Hutchinson’s hubby-to-be

The days (months, years) that sit between the giddy “yes” moment of the marriage proposal, and the exciting but nonetheless sobering “I do” of the wedding day, comprise a period characterized by many, often contradictory emotions.

“Why Am I Marrying Him?” the first solo exhibit by Kate Hutchinson, takes this subject head-on, focusing its lens on the photographer’s own fiancé, exploring the minutiae of habits and quirks that make up a human being, and asking the all-important question—him?

“I often hear comments from people that they thought the photos were of all different people,” says Hutchinson. “This makes me very happy, because that means I’ve succeeded in showing how multifaceted a person can be.”

Laws of disclosure compel me to mention that Hutchinson’s betrothed is none other than the Mirror’s own beloved art director Chris Tucker, but such knowledge is not required for the public to enjoy the exhibit. Hutchinson has an eye, and this, combined with her all-access pass to the subject, makes for photographs that regardless of tone—silly, serious, often somewhere in between—are resonant on an emotional and aesthetic level.

The show has its vernissage tonight at Visual Voice (372 Ste-Catherine W., #421) and runs until Oct. 19.

by STACEY DEWOLFE

Fowl mouths

The Dancing Cock Brothers have been offending Montrealers with their brand of raucous, alcohol-fuelled sketch comedy for three years now. Friday night, October 10, they’ll be letting it all hang out as they perform only the lewdest of an already considerably lewd repertoire.

OFFENCE INTENDED:
The Dancing Cock Brothers

“Everything is so clean these days. Maybe it has to do with the Harper government,” says founding Cock Adam Kelly. “I think that in that nasty stuff, you’re revealing something that’s true.”

Certain skits performed by the troupe tend to polarize audiences: people either want to see them again and again, or they never want to come back.

“The grandmother sketch. That’s the one my mom refuses to see. Whenever my family turns up at our shows, she’ll yank them all out: ‘Barbara, you’re not watching this!’”

Kelly says the cast is worried they may get booed. But what if the audience likes it? “Then we’ll be seriously worried about society as a whole,” he says.

The Disgusting Filthy Dirty Cock Show is on Friday Oct. 10, 11 p.m. at MainLine Theatre (3997 St-Laurent). Cost is $10 at the door. See www.dancingcockbrothers.com for details.

by MATT JONES

 

Sock it to us

The fertile imagination of performance artist/event impresario Sherwin Tjia has spawned a Sock Puppet Party at le Cagibi (5490 St-Laurent) this Sunday, Oct. 12. “It’s inspired by a Batman character called Scarface, a ventriloquist’s dummy that’s on the arm of this quiet bespectacled man,” says Tjia.

FANCY FOOTWEAR: A helpful illustration by Tija

He sees sock puppets as a means for anyone to release their inner demons. “People want to be 100 per cent themselves all the time, but they’re not always allowed to be,” Tjia notes. “Sometimes we need a medium to let our secret selves out.” The fun starts at 9 p.m., and climaxes with a Sock Puppet Speech Session. $3 with a sock puppet, no admittance without one.

Tjia is also co-producer of the popular Slow Dance Nights. The next edition is at Sala Rossa (4848 St-Laurent) on Friday, Oct. 17, 10 p.m., $10 (includes dance card). Fantastic attire, while desired, is not required.

by VINCENT TINGUELY

Is it art?

CAN DO: The Pittsburgh-based Society for Design Administration’s mission is to promote “education and best practices in management and professional standards of design firm administrative personnel.” Luckily, the SDA has taken a break from boring people to tears to organize Canstruction, a design contest to build giant structures out of full food cans. The pan-continental competition touches down in Montreal at the Musée Juste Pour Rire (2111 St-Laurent) until Oct. 15. Admission is $5; attendees can also contribute food cans of their own, which will be donated to local food bank Moisson Montreal.

Arts hole

SELF IMAGE: Montreal-based Stefan Nitoslawski is known on the film scene as a cinematographer and director. He reveals another side of his talent with Méta-Morphoses, a multi-media installation at the Cinémathèque québécoise (335 de Maisonneuve E). Photos, video and a soundscape by Chantal Dumas contribute to a captivating environment, the theme of self-perception complemented by the tormented, hypnotizing movements of his human figures.
• SOUNDS INCREDIBLE: Local artist Virginie Laganière brings her new sound installation, Figures de l’indicible, to la Centrale (4296 St-Laurent). Working on a theme of conspiracy and rumour, she weaves together interviews and media soundbites into a swirling storm of urban legend. Laganière’s vernissage happens Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.; both installations run until Nov. 9.

Artistat

Number of contributions at press time to unissonsnosvoix.ca, an online collection of videos in which Quebec artists and other citizens explain their opposition to Stephen Harper’s re-election: 76