On the walls: the art you need to see this week

From Michael A. Robinson’s The Origin of Ideas.

The week in art kicks off at the Canadian Centre for Architecture. Archaeology of the Digital is an exploration of digital technologies used in the development phases of architecture. Vernissage May 7, Canadian Centre for Architecture (1920 Baile), 6 p.m.

Michael A. Robinson’s The Origin of Ideas invites you to take the red pill and question the origins of art, creativity and beyond. It’s a provocative exhibition that addresses topics of objectivity, perception and questions both the material and concepts in art through two separate installations. Vernissage and book launch May 8, Galerie Antoine Ertaskiran (1892 Payette), 5 p.m.

The Sight + Sound Festival opens this week and runs up until the 29th of the month, with a suite of free exhibitions, as well as performances and workshops. See our highlights preview here. Opens May 9, Eastern Bloc (7240 Clark), 8 p.m.

Painter Alexandre Chartrand reflects on the moment in 2003 when he first began to create. Ten years ago, the set aside his first love of film photography for a squeegee and can of paint. The rest, as they say, is history, one represented in Dix Ans en Detail. Chartrand’s paintings have a decidedly political quality about them, referencing the artist’s involvment in last year’s Printemps Erable (note the recurring use of red in his works). Vernissage May 9, Galerie Point Rouge (3522 Notre-Dame), 5 p.m.

TRENDFactory looks at repetition and the way in which memes spread on the Internet, by looking at handmade objects reproduce. It’s a community and multi-participatory effort, arranged by Leslie Mutchler. Vernissage May 9, Arprim (372 Ste-Catherine (Belgo Building), #426), 5:30 p.m.

If you’d rather see art in your own home, head to the sale happening at La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse to pick up work from many of the city’s talents, including Noémi McComber, Stéphanie Beaulieu, JJ Levine and many more. Sale runs May 9-12 at La Centrale Galerie Powerhouse (4296 St Laurent )

For all artists also working a day job (or “other” job), this exhibit’s for you. The Salon Femmes Branchées 96 DOUBLE VIE explores the role of art in the community as well as economy. The different works presented all represent the “double-life” many artists lead. Vernissage May 9, Studio XX (4001 Berri, #201), 6 p.m.

Head to Centre Clark for another double bill: Diane Morin’s Le Grand Calculateur in room one Martin Lord’s Pero, Yo Creo Que Si in room two. Both shows open May 9, Centre Clark (5455 Avenue de Gaspé #114), 8 p.m.

For the typography lover in your life, Jason Urban’s Letterform, at Monastiraki, is a series of prints that serve to explore how typography influences images, noise and object, an interesting take on how we experience letters and words. The work is purposed to evoke the sometimes chaos of an RSS Feed. Vernissage May 10, Monastiraki (5478 St-Laurent), 6 p.m.

Feted Toronto live-painter Jessica Gorlicky (aka JessGO), is visiting Montreal with an exhibition, and will be in town for a talk at the vernissage for her latest show, Through the Looking Glass. May 10, Galerie 203 (203 Notre-Dame W.), 7-11 p.m. 

Amazing NY-based illustrator and comic artist Lisa Hanawalt is coming to Montreal to launch her new book, My Dirty Dumb Eyes, a collection culled from her past illustration, art editorial and comic works. Stay tuned for an interview profile on Hanawalt. May 13, Librairie Drawn & Quarterly (211 Bernard W.), 7 p.m.

Finally, check out Dominique Pétrin’s latest installation, a complete makeover of the exterior of Beaudry metro station in bright, sassy patterns.

By Kristen Theodore and Emily Raine.
Cover image by Jessica Gorlicky.