On the Walls

Image by Jean Chaîney.

Art Matters wraps up this week, and they’re closing out the fest with a series of “finissage” parties at participating galleries every night. Check our daily To-Do List, the Art Matters site and our listings page for more info.

Both inspired by and paying homage to the J.M. Coetzee novel of the very same name, Juan-Ortiz Apuy presents Waiting for the Barbarians (The Realia Series). The exhibit deals with three main themes: the novel, globalization and a point in time in art history. Vernissage  March 20, Galerie Antoine Ertaskiran (1892 Payette), 5 p.m.

A new exhibition of Montreal hyper-realist painter Jean Chaîney, CLIMAX is the artist’s first show in several years. Chaîney’s work features buff, naked gay dudes, reclined or positioned in urban landscapes to critique capitalism and its images. Some of Chaîney’s pieces will also be included in a big upcoming ARTSIDA auction. Vernissage March 20 Galerie Dentaire (1239 Amherst), 5–8 p.m.

Also this Wednesday, head over to Parisian Laundry to check the latest from two artists, namely David Armstrong Six’s Brown Star Plus One, his second solo exhibition at the gallery. The show includes 10 new sculptures, all of which were created during his recent stay in Berlin, and Six also launches his new catalogue, Three Known Points, the same evening. Then, Jeanette Ehlers presents three videos in  BLACKBULLETS, each touching upon a number of themes. Ehlers, of Danish and Trinidadian descent, was inspired by the revolution she witnessed while in Haiti, and the show delves into themes of black identity and ideas of revolution and revolt. Vernissage for both exhibits March 20, Parisian Laundry (3550 St-Antoine W), 6 p.m.

A new collection of works by Montreal interdisciplinary artist Léa Trudel opens at Galerie les Territoires. Imago Mundi continues Trudel’s cartographic projects, here mapping and documenting a fictional day-to-day life. Vernissage March 21, Belgo Building (372 Ste-Catherine W., #527), 6 p.m.

Joining forces with Studio XX Wired Women Salon #11, la Centrale Galerie Powerhouse presents Material Uncertainties, a screening night. Several artists will showcase their recent works, including projections and performances by Kerri Flanagan and Amanda Dawn Christie. First, Christie’s undertaking digs into both alanalogue and digital technologies to bridge the gap between the old and the new and ultimately connect it to ourselves. Then, Flanagan invites you to take part in her coming-of-age tale about Northern Ontario and Finnish heritage. In addition to these two performances, a series of six videos from different Montreal-based artists (Jodie Mack, Wednesday Lupypciw, Leyla Majeri, Marie Dauverné, Sarah Pupo and Sabrina Ratté) will also be featured. March 21, La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse (4296 St-Laurent), 7 p.m.

The same night, check out the “vernissaga” for aRt pICtUrES, an exhibit structured as an art battle between two Mile End champions, Glen LeMesurier and Marc Gagnon. Galerie DixSet (5448 St-Laurent), 5–10 p.m.

HEXA_Out, presented by the PHI Centre and research centres Hexagram Concordia and Hexagram CIAM, is a public event in a series of discussions that seek to explore the latest trends in media and art. Also examined are the relationships between biological and technological advances, and the respective roles that each plays in the arts world. The event’s featured speaker will be world-renowned media artist Nell Tenhaaf, who is also a professor at York University. March 22, PHI Centre (407 Saint-Pierre), 1 p.m.

Finally, back at Galerie Dentaire, the gallery and AIDS Community Care Montreal (ACCM) unveil the auction pieces for ARTSIDA 4/Art Against AIDS, a huge sale of paintings by artists including Jean Chaîney, Zilon, Kit Malo and many, many more. The auction takes place at the MAC on April 7, but this fundraiser will be buyers’ and supporters’ first chance to see the available work (and help a great cause at the same time). Galerie Dentaire (1239 Amherst), 5-8 p.m., tickets $35, email artsida@accmontreal.org for more info. ■

By Kristen Theodore and Emily Raine.