On the Walls: This week in fine arts

Collage by Genesis Breyer P-Orridge.

A new show at La Centrale, The Eyes of Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, brings together images, sculpture, video and sounds from the Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV architect’s prodigious artistic, musical and performance output, curated by Mathieu Beauséjour and Peter Dubé. The collection, on display Oct. 19 – 26, marks the first exhibit of P-Orridge’s work in Montreal and is presented by Phénomena Festival, as part of a suite of screenings, shows and other cultural events celebrating “avant-garde anti-hero” Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, the guest of honour at this year’s festival. Galerie La Centrale Powerhouse (4296 St-Laurent), vernissage Oct. 19, 7 p.m.

The massive Montréal/Brooklyn series, which pairs artists and galleries in Montreal and Brooklyn to put the cities’ art scenes and artists in conversation, is unveiling seven new exhibits this weekend at a two-day-long multi-gallery vernissage.

On Friday, Oct. 19, you can check out the opening of new shows at Galerie Division (2020 William, 4 p.m.), articule (262 Fairmount, 6 p.m.) and Centre Clark (5455 de Gaspé, #114, 8 p.m.). On Saturday, Oct. 20, there’s a talk at the MACM (185 Ste-Catherine W.), 1 p.m. with artists Janet Biggs, Aude Moreau and the exhibit’s curator Lesley Johnstone, followed by vernissages at Galerie d’UQAM (1400 Berri, Pavillon Judith-Jasmin, J-R 120, 2 p.m.), then head to the Belgo Building (372 Ste-Catherine W.) for the vernissages at Optica (#508, 3 p.m.), [SAS] (#416, 4 p.m.) and at Galerie Les Territoires (527 Ste-Catherine W., 5 p.m.). The whole thing is capped off with a big drinky party to celebrate all these celebrations at the exceptionally-open Alexandraplatz (6731 Esplanade).

There are a few noteworthy photography exhibits in town this week.

Italian superstar photographer Mimmo Jodice, the celebrated documentary photographer and portraitist of such conceptual art luminaries as Warhol, Joseph Beuys and Robert Rauschenberg, has his first Canadian solo show at the McCord. Entitled Sublime Cities, the exhibit features 10 new portraits of our fair city taken last spring, in addition to a selection of other images from Jodice’s vast and compelling body of work, curated by Hélène Samson. The show’s on through March 3, so you’ve got some time, but his quiet architectural black and white imagery is not to be missed. McCord Museum (690 Sherbrooke W.), free

Amazing local photographer JJ Levine also has a new exhibit going up at RATS 9, called Queer Portraits. Levine’s photos are frank portrayals of members of queer communities at home, looking candidly into her lens (sometimes so much so that her work seems to wander into Nan Golden territory, as in “Kam,” below), and framed by poppy and bright compositions. Oct. 17 – Nov. 5, Rats 9 (372 Ste-Catherine W., #530), vernissage Oct. 19, 6ish

Fresh Paint Gallery is playing host to the sixth edition of Beaux Degats, a six-team live art battle with five combatant teams trying to unseat undefeated champions Iron Axe, with music from DJ Construct, among others. Fresh Paint will soon be closing its doors, so this might be your last chance to say goodbye to this phenomenal space dedicated to street art. Fresh Paint (180 Ste-Catherine E.), 7 p.m., $5

The Point Rouge Gallery has also recently moved, and is holding a four-day reception and show curated by Véronique Cossette. After five years on Notre-Dame, the interactive art space was forced to move by the “mercantile spirit” of their landlord, and this show marks the first event at their new digs. Oct. 18 – 21, Point Rouge (4000 Saint-Ambroise Dock), reception begins Friday Oct. 18, 5 p.m. ■