Walking into Phillipe Tessier's installation Nulle part/Ailleurs at the Dare-Dare gallery makes you feel a bit like a lab rat. It's comprised of a series of connecting white walls, either flat, circular, or semi-circular. The passageways between them are just wide enough for one person to fit. At the far end of the gallery, a computer monitor greets you, displaying the image of a floor with large letters in the middle, spelling out "celui qui est." It then becomes obvious that you aren't walking around walls; you're walking around giant, constructed letters.
With this installation, Tessier deals with a heavy, possibly overly discussed subject (language, communication and their inherent complexities) in a subtle manner that is humorous, fresh, and inspired. As with any installation, it must be experienced. While you're at it, try and decipher what the letters spell out. At
460 Ste-Catherine W., #505, until Oct. 21; vernissage Sept. 9, 3 p.m. Info: 878-1088 or www.cam.org/~daredar
Walking into Phillipe Tessier's installation Nulle part/Ailleurs at the Dare-Dare gallery makes you feel a bit like a lab rat. It's comprised of a series of connecting white walls, either flat, circular, or semi-circular. The passageways between them are just wide enough for one person to fit. At the far end of the gallery, a computer monitor greets you, displaying the image of a floor with large letters in the middle, spelling out "celui qui est." It then becomes obvious that you aren't walking around walls; you're walking around giant, constructed letters.