Art made to order

One part sophistiqué, one part Sears, Buy-Sellf is a giant exhibition that brings together work by French and Canadian artists at the Darling Foundry (745 Ottawa). The concept behind the collective is its department-store-like catalogue. The name Buy-Sellf comes from the ability of artists to buy and sell their art themselves through mail order, as opposed to through a gallery. The art reflects the means of distribution, as the work often provides a new twist on real-life products, usually spiced with a healthy dose of humour.

Cynthia Girard’s "French Canadian Pea Soup" is an ice-fishing shack in the shape of a soup can (roll over, Andy Warhol). Inside there’s a photo of a typical icefishing scene, except her atypical shack is situated amongst the others. Quebec City trio BGL show LE MOUVEMENT, a piece made up of of nine little bodies from the waist down whose feet attach to a wheel and stick, made to be pushed ahead like a stroller. The little half people march around ready to be used in any public protest. That’s just a glimpse from the 30 artists to enjoy in this exhibit that looks at Western culture with wit. Runs until Aug. 31, www.quartierephemere.org. » Christine Redfern

Post-prairie poetry

Winnipeg-born poet and editor Jon Paul Fiorentino isn’t one to hide his roots under a bushel of wheat. Lately he’s been co-editing (along with Robert Kroetsch) Post Prairie, an anthology showcasing young western writers. Fiorentino’s also hosting the latest Matrix Presents, a Montreal launch for two decidedly post-prairie books by Calgary poets: Derek Beaulieu’s With Wax and Jill Hartman’s A Painted Elephant.

"Derek’s book has the structure of a tour through the Lascaux caves," says Fiorentino. "Jill’s book is about an elephant that escapes from the Calgary zoo and falls in love with a wooden Maytag repairman statue."

The reading also features local scribes Jason Camlot, Ibi Kaslik, L.E. Vollick and Alex Porco. The new Take Me Home issue of Matrix will be available, as well as material from Coach House and DC Books. Sunday, July 20, at Blizzarts (3956-A St-Laurent), 7 p.m., free! » Vincent Tinguely

Dancing Debussy

Now in its seventh year, the Festival des Arts de Saint-Sauveur is a summer staple, putting music and dance in the spotlight with the Laurentians as a backdrop. One of the definite dance musts of this year’s fest is a program created by artistic director Nacho Duato. His group, Compañía Nacional de Danza 2, was created in ’99 to provide young dancers with training ground for life as professionals.

Program highlights include two Duato choreographies that premiered in 1991. The first, Duende, was inspired by the music of Debussy; the second is a frantic piece entitled Coming Together. Duato himself makes a rare appearance to meet with the audience after the shows, July 18–19, 8 p.m., under the Chapiteau in St-Sauveur, (450) 227-9935 for tickets. » Marites Carino

Corn and flicks

Okay, pop quiz. Your idea of a fun summer night is: (a) try and stay cool in your sweaty apartment by rigging up an intricate system of ice, fans and lying completely still on the kitchen floor (b) spend the night in a sweaty, smoky, unventilated club trying not to touch the other people around you, or (c) an outdoor evening filled with delicious corn on the cob, gin & tonics and independent cinema.

If you picked "c" you’re in luck. Tonight, July 17 (or 24th in case of rain), the Liane and Danny Taran Gallery will host a two-pronged attack of summer fun as they present Lucioles’ and Kino Collective’s Under the Stars. Inspired by the ongoing exhibition by Estonian video artist Ene-Liis Semper at the MAC, this outdoor event will include shorts, films, documentaries and videos from two of Montreal’s busiest independent film collectives as well as delicious food and refreshments. Grab an ear and get an eyeful, 8 p.m.–11 p.m. at the Saidye (5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine). » Raf Katigbak

Is it Art?

ORIGAMI ORGASM: Sure you can make a decent paper airplane, maybe even a pirate hat, but can you fashion a few pieces of standard 8 x 14 inch letter into a Yamaha XJR1300 motorbike or a loggerhead turtle? Didn’t think so. You can become an origami artiste, though, with this comprehensive do-it-yourself paper craft Web resource. Set up, oddly enough, by Yamaha Motors, the site teaches paper construction of motor models, rare animals of the world, rare animals of Japan and seasonal themes. Go to www.yamaha-motor.co.jp/eng/papercraft/index.html and get folding.

ArtsHole

MODEL PARLIAMENT: Set up on the banks of the Lachine Canal, Le 28ième Bureau is an "artistic reaction to fast-food politics," taking a stab at Montreal’s 27 town councils (bureaus) by creating a utopian 28th council installation - a place of discussions, picnics and siestas upon inflatable pillows. Continues Thursday & Friday evenings and weekends (just west of the Charlevoix Bridge, near the Atwater Market). • RETURN TO SENDER: For their collaborative exhibition, J. Diamond and Zoe Pawlak mailed out Pawlak’s paintings to eight people, who were then asked to manipulate them and return them in envelopes silkscreened by Diamond. Spand, a discussion of "correspondence across distance," shows at the VAV gallery (1395 René-Lévesque W.) from July 21–Aug. 1.

ARTISTAT: Number of days comedian Arthur Smith has previously spent in this city, fuelling his likely very inaccurate Londoner’s Late Night Tour of Montreal, which departs from the Delta Hotel (475 President-Kennedy) on Friday night, July 18, 2 a.m., free: 1

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