Art Smarts

There's something subversive, not to mention hilarious, about nature scenes where all the animals watch violent out-takes of Arnold Schwarzenegger movies on a 1950's television. If you like art infused with theory, go check out Kevin Kelly's multimedia installation show, Faking Nature. Apparently, Kelly's installations are all centered around similar themes of fractured realities.

Despite the heavy theory, Kelly's installations are playful. His painting series "Nowhere"--while not as witty--is hypnotic and quite successful in capturing the mind-state of watching the world go by from a moving vehicle. Though densely conceptual, it still maintains a cheeky sense of humour. Amid all the tragically ironic stuff being produced these days, it's reassuring to see smart art that doesn't take itself too seriously.

At Maison de la Culture Cote-des-Neiges, 5290 Cote-des-Neiges, until April 30. : --Sholem Krishtalka

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