Music, looking good...

>> Audio gets aesthetic at Galerie Clark

by SCOTT C. ESQ.

It's kind of hard not to overlap, living in Montreal. Apart from everybody knowing everybody, downtown life consists of some truly incestuous interdisciplinary madness. Artist, DJ, entrepreneur and scenester are all separate and one in the same, at least that's what I got from Post Audio Esthetic, an installation running at the Galerie Clark until June 17.

To the unknowing wanderer, the setup could easily pass as a record store, complete with listening stations, loads of records, CDs and merchandise. Upon closer inspection, however, you'll find that each and every CD and album cover has been designed by the participating artists, along with the listening centres and even the stereo equipment. T-shirts adorn the walls with prints and decals of imaginary record labels. There's an odd looking but functional stereo system made from all the essential electrical components, but housed in Tupperware. There are the two Technics 1200 turntables and mixer in the centre of the room, all replicated in plaster down to the finest detail.

These and several other strange but interesting pieces fill the room, while a weird disjointed film of a man repairing a turntable is projected onto the main wall. "We've taken to sampling, zapping and hijacking pieces of technology and making them our own," explains Christian Miron, one of the installation's participants. "It's amazing that we did all of this without the aid of loans or grants."

After perusing all the records in the bin, it occurred to me how much of a visual as well as aural experience record shopping could be. This was then followed by the blunt realization that I already knew that there was no real musical accompaniment to any of these slick imitations... or was there? A quick trip to one of the many listening stations answered the burning question in my ear with what I was told was original music produced solely based on the record designs.

"Jerome MiniÉre chose four different sleeves," Christian pointed out, "and later submitted his music for the listening stations." There are at least 15 artists who contributed to the overall "aesthetic" and several more DJs and musicians who will add their two cents to complement the new work. Every Friday and Saturday until June 17 the gallery will feature the musicality of some talented Montrealers. DJ Mossa, Chrystelle and Soul Sista play this Friday, May 19, while Dakca, Elsonic & Mateo and Tone & Time play on Saturday night. Also at the Galerie is a new work by Simone Jones entitled "Clear and Danger," running also until June 17. :

Post Audio Esthetic, until June 17 at Galerie Clark, 1591 Clark, 2nd floor. Open Wed-Sat noon-6pm