The future now

MODERN BOARDING:
From Claude Jutras’s Rouli-Roulant, 1966

From space shuttle footage to a Buster Keaton cross-Canada adventure, the Canadian Centre for Architecture (1920 Baile) has culled a motley assortment of clips from the archives of NASA and the NFB for their new experimental show Intermission: Films From a Heroic Future.

The exhibition, which combines themes of speed and space, ends up being about our relationship with technology, says curatorial team member Shannon Harvey. “What’s innovative for us is that we’re showing films in a variety of scales and ways, including more intimate one-on-one types of screenings.”

Tonight, Thursday Nov. 26, from 8–11 p.m., the CCA launches its new Thursday night series, which will continue for Intermission’s duration through Feb. 28, with free film screenings and talks by CCA curators. Tonight’s event includes a set by francophone pop-rock band Chinatown, as well as DJs and video projection by Brille Brille.

“It’s a big version of what’s going to happen every Thursday, which is using the galleries as a movie theatre,” says CCA’s Lev Bratishenko. Film and music fans also get to drink like fish: there will be three bars set up in the galleries, and free beverages before 9 p.m.

by DAVID LEVITZ

Back in the USSR

BABE IN THE WOOD: Medvedovsky’s
“I Went Deeper Into the Forest Where the Birds Sang No More”

“I’m interested in creating spaces which are based on real, mythological and imaginary sources,” says Montreal-based artist Vitaly Medvedovsky, describing his new show Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Trolls, which opens at Push Gallery (5264 St. Laurent) tonight, Thursday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. “These spaces then serve as something akin to a backdrop, a place where my characters act out a certain narrative.”

This collision of the real and the imaginary has long been a part of Medvedovksy’s project, though his trajectory has moved away from representations of actual people and places into a realm that is more explicitly surreal. Still, it’s not unusual to find characters who resonate on a very tangible and emotional level despite the absurdity of their surroundings. Steeped in memories both individual and collective, the paintings carry echoes of the artist’s childhood in the former USSR, but are also full of imagery from his present-day life.

Medvedovksy’s palette also reflects this bridging of two worlds, combining earthy naturalistic tones with more garish otherworldly hues. But what strikes me most about his paintings, in addition to their narrative and aesthetic complexities, is their playfulness and their humanity.

by STACEY DEWOLFE

Shop, drink, hang

“It’s craft-sale meets high-end. We wanted to do a show for designers where they’d be able to create their own mini-boutiques,” says Angie Johnson of Headquarters Boutique, one of the organizers behind the Smart Design Mart (5333 Casgrain, #602), a two-day showcase of some of the freshest design talent in the city. Working with fellow creators, Furni, Elaine Ho, Supayana and Broundoor, the team handpicked the mart’s 54 participants, who’ll be selling everything from artwork and beauty products to toys and jewellery.

Kicking off this Saturday, Nov. 28 at 11 a.m. and running until Sunday, Nov. 29 at 5 p.m., the mart will be a bit of a departure from the usual holiday craft-fairs and sales.

“The space is huge, 15,000 square feet, so we’re going to have seating areas for people to relax in as well as food, drinks and music,” says Johnson. All of the vendors are also Montreal-based, adding a local, eco aspect to the event.

For a list of all the vendors, check out smartdesignmart.com

by SACHA JACKSON

Electro opera

The remarkably musically endowed Ben Shemie seems to thrive on confounding people’s expectations. The eclectic musician and composer, who also fronts local indie outfit Zeroes, has long been interested in reconciling two seemingly disparate genres: contemporary classical music and electronica. Foudroyé, his latest project, is a one-act multidisciplinary opera featuring two singers, a contemporary dancer, chamber music, jazz, electronica and video projections.

Inspired by the story of Orpheus discovering love after death, Foudroyé is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between University of Montreal’s music faculty and the National Theatre School, designed to revive the creation of operas in the city.

Shemie teamed up with librettist Mireille Mayrand-Fiset, a 2009 NTS graduate, to create something less akin to a classic concert experience, and more like a dramatic opera. “There’s a sampler and keyboard that’ll play classic synth sounds, a vocoder and a chamber ensemble accompanying the singers,” says Shemie. “And one character is projected on a screen as a prerecorded image. She’s on stage but her actual voice is this projection.”

Tonight, Thursday, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27, 8 p.m. at Studio André-Pagé (360 Laurier E.). Free, but call to reserve (514) 842-7954 ext. 143.

by MICHAEL-OLIVER HARDING

IS IT ART?

HEADS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: If you’re in a race to give the most personalized of gifts this year, then look no further than YouBobble.com. Started by young entrepreneur and York University grad Riyaz Datoo, YouBobble makes customized bobbleheads from a single digital photograph.

Usually reserved for celebrities and political figures, you can now create a bobblehead of anyone of your choosing, from grandma to your bff. All you have to do is upload their photo and choose a body (everything from wedding attire to football player) on which to stick the wobbly coconut. Creating such a close likeness, however, doesn’t come cheap—handmade by some very skilled fingers, it’ll set you back $124.99 to get these heads

rolling. youbobble.com

Arts hole

SPIT ON HIS GRAVE: To mark the 50th anniversary of the death of writer, jazz enthusiast and critic Boris Vian, singer De Saval presents La Zizique à Boris Vian, a concert featuring the music that inspired the Prince of Saint-Germain-des-Prés himself. It’s at the Maison de la Culture Plateau-Mont-Royal (465 Mont-Royal E.) tonight, Thursday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. • FOUR SURE: Photographers Simon Caplette-Charette, Robert Bosse, Sylvie Garbusky and Roxana Brongo come together to show their stuff at salon/gallery Be-Ahead (4872 St-Denis) with a vernissage this Sunday, Nov. 29, 4 p.m. • ART TALKING: This weekend, Vox (1211 St-Laurent) invites you to spend some time with artist Nelson Hendriks who will be at the gallery this Saturday, Nov. 28 from noon–5 p.m. talking about his self-titled exhibit, which is on view at the gallery until Dec. 19.

Artistat

The amount it’ll cost you to gain entrance (and a store credit, food and drinks) to Mode de vie, the eco-fashion design competition happening at la Gaillarde (4019 Notre-Dame W.) tonight, Thursday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m., and featuring Dita & Bella, Third Eye, Supayana, Créations Genest, tomate d’épingles and Denim: $20