On the walls: the week in art

From WEMADETHIS.ES MTV & Bankia © Serial Cut

Winter seems inescapable in February. If you’re seeking a little light in your life, the Bal des Lampes at la Maison du Developpement Durable will add much-needed luminosity to these somber, snowy months. 20 creations designed by local artists will be suspended from the atrium of the Maison, all made with recycled and reused materials and available for auction. Reception Feb. 12, La Maison du Developpement Durable (50, Ste-Catherine W.), 7 p.m., free

Espace Pop invites you to On se lèche les vitrines!, a Valentines party and pop-up sale featuring a slew of local arts n’ crafts heroes to help you find or keep someone cute, including Ohara Hale, Adam Waito, Julien Ceccaldi, Olivia Mew and the ladies of Pattern Clash, among others. There will also be an on-site clothing sale, courtesy of Citizen Vintage, personalized poetry on the fly by Ashley Opheim and manicures by High Five Nailz. Feb. 13 5-9 p.m., Feb. 14 12-5 p.m., free entry, cash only

Louisa Nicol, an artist from Palmarolle (in Abitibi-Témiscamingue), brings Félicitas et autres modèles to Galerie Bernard. The pieces presented have all been drawn in coloured pencils, graphite or in wax crayon. The characters that appear in the drawings are often isolated, drawn without any background or surroundings. Vernissage Jan. 15, Galerie Bernard (3926 St-Denis), 5-8 p.m.

At the Mile End’s Galerie Ame-Art, a new exposition, Exposition Elegance, is being unveiled this week. The show thematically explores light and movement, whether in the form of the human body or in architecture. Vernissage Feb. 13, Galerie Ame-Art (5345 du Parc), 6 p.m.

Creativité + Identité offers a rare opportunity to hear from some of the most exciting projects and creative minds in post-digital creation. The Spanish artists behind the recent WEMADETHIS.ES, Héctor Ayuso and Eduardo del Freile, are in town to talk about their work, and they will be joined at a round-table by local artists Julien Vallée and Vincent Morisset. Feb. 13, PHI Centre (407 St-Pierre), 7 p.m., free

Topovidéographies: Muttasproak, Muttalaund, a new project by interdisciplinary artist Kandis Friesen. The work consists of short experimental video pieces exploring the linguistic and cultural patrimony of Mennonite communities, which privilege language as a sense of belongings. Two short screenings will be followed by a discussion period with the artist. Group Intervention Vidéo (4001 Berri, #105), 7:30 p.m., free

Material Traces looks at the real connection between artist and viewer and explorations the evolution in art. Works from different artists over the past fifteen years will be on display and looks at the creative processes each work involved, in a variety of media. There is a particular focus on works that can be seemingly frozen in time and how they can be looked it today. Opening reception Feb. 16, Leonard & Bina Ellen Gallery (1455 Maisonneuve), 7 p.m. Performative event Feb. 16, 3:30 p.m.

Le Café des Z’Architectes second season kicks off on February 18th at MAQ (Maison de l’Arcitecture de Quebec). This first session will include a roundtable discussion moderated by Pierre Côté on the subject of parametric design in architecture (computer programs to facilitate the drawing process) and the utilization of such technology’s impact on the art and imagination present in architecture today. Discussion Feb. 18, MAQ (181 Saint-Antoine), W.) 6 p.m.

Local artist Jeremy Price’s paintings will be on-hand at Galerie Espace. His work mostly showcases recognizable streets and neighbourhood shots of Montreal, seeking to truly capture the essence of what defines Montreal, culturally and otherwise. The work would make any local feel right at home. Vernissage Feb. 15, 4844, Boul. Saint-Laurent, 7-10 p.m.

By Emily Raine and Kristen Theodore