David Altmejd & Jon Rafman @ MAC until / jusqu'au 13.09.2015

Français en bleu

From left to Right / de Gauche à Droite: David Altmejd, Josée Belisle, Jon Rafman & Marc Lanctôt
Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

I have been covering exhibitions at the Montreal Museum of contemporary arts since 2002. I have seen many great shows and met many world renowned artist. This summer however I have been left spellbound! There are many reasons for my enchantment. One, it is the first time I see two unparalleled Montreal artists showcasing the excellence of our city's creators without the false timidity that has often prevented curators in Montreal to boast our best and brightest out of an misplaced sense of democracy! These two are an example of our BEST & BRIGHTEST! Bravo JOSÉE BESLILE and MARC LANCTÔT!

The two exhibitions as a whole remind me of a phrase in one JORGE LUIS BORGES stories :"...the infinite, ceaseless chain of thousands of intertwined causes..."

FRANÇAIS

Depuis 2002 je couvre les expositions au Musée d'art contemporain de Montreéal.  J'y ai vu de nombreuses expositions fabuleuses et j'y ai rencontré plusieurs artistes de renommée internationale. Cependant cet été  je me retrouve envoûtée! Il y a plusieurs raisons pour mon enchantement. Une, c'est la première fois que je vois deux artistes Montréalais mettre en valeur l'excellence de nos créateurs sans la fausse timidité qui avait empêché certains de nos commissaires à exposer ce qu'il y a de meilleur chez nous au nom d'un concept démocratique mal placé. Ce sont là deux exemples de ce qu'il y a de MIEUX & DE PLUS BRILLIANT ici! Bravo JOSÉE BESLILE et MARC LANCTÔT!

Les deux expositions juxtaposées me rappelent une phrase dans une histoire de JORGE LUIS BORGES :"... l'infinie, incessante chaine de millier de causes entremêlées..." 

DAVID ALTMEJD - FLUX    

On June the 19th 2015 the press met up @ MAC for the tour of this summer's exhibitions with the  the artists and the curators.

Left / Gauche David Altmejd speaking in front of / parlant devant Le Désert et la Semence, 2015. Centre detail.  Right / Droite The Flux and The Puddle, 2014, detail/détail. Photos © Lena Ghio 2015
To consult the works / pour consulter les oeuvres: http://flux.macm.org/ 

I became aware of the work of the unique DAVID ALTMEJD in 2006 when attending the press conference to announce he had been chosen to represent Canada in the Venice Biennale. Right form the start I was struck with a rare quality in his work that is lacking in much of contemporary art, his work is alive. We spent several hours in the tour so we could ask many questions on many themes like his choice of materials, the hidden concepts at the heart of his artistic language, human perception. David Altmejd impressed me with his capacity to communicate fluidly on a variety of themes that influence him and his work. For example he explained his profound sensitivity to us, his melancholy at the rapid passage of time. This he cited as the core reason for working in New York at this stage of his life and profession. This reaction to feeling the passage of time is extremely visible in his sculptures. At one point as he his describing what goes through him as he is sculpting he said: " Then I infuse spirit into the substance. " This is exactly what I have always perceived about his sculptures and this is exactly what he intends for his work. When I shared with him that I had felt this spirit all along from his work, he described how his quest for realism is a heartfelt preoccupation for him, that he goes to the limits of his craftsmanship to bring it forth in his creations.

He is an artist in touch with the multidimensional nature of life and he has the uncanny talent to embody the experience in matter. Visiting his work is like being in en unending exploration in a foreign land where one is constantly surprised by unexpected features in the landscape.

FRANÇAIS

Le 19 juin 2015 la presse s'est rassemblée au MAC pour la visite des expositions estivales avec les artistes et commissaires.

One of my favorite rooms with Untitled 2 (Bodybuilders) in front of Le Trou, 2015, a piece he did In Situ. Une de mes pièces favorites avec Untitled 2 (Bodybuilders) devant Le Trou, 2015, une pièce réalisée In Situ.
Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

Je suis devenue consciente du travail de l'unique DAVID ALTMEJD en 2006 à la conférence de presse qui annonçait qu'il avait été choisi pour représenter le Canada à la  Biennale de Venise. Dès le début j'ai été frappée par une qualité rare dans son oeuvre qui est manquante dans la majorité de la production artistique contemporaine, son oeuvre est vivante. Nous avons passé quelques heures en visite alors on pouvait poser beaucoup de questions sur plusieurs thèmes comme ses choix de matériaux, les concepts cachés au coeur de son language artistique, la perception humaine. David Altmejd m'a impressionnée avec sa capacité de communiquer fluidement sur une variété de thèmes qui influencent son travail. Par exemple il nous a parlé de sa sensibilité profonde, de sa mélancolie au passage rapide du temps. Il a raconté que c'était la raison principale de son exile à New York à ce stage de sa vie et de sa profession. Cette réaction qu'a l'artiste au passage du temps est très visible dans ses sculptures. À un moment donné il raconte ce qui se produit en lui alors qu'il sculpte la matière: " Ensuite, j'infuse l'âme dans la substance. " C'est exactement ce que j'avais toujours perçu au sujet de ses sculptures et c'est exactement ce qu'il destinait pour elles. Quand j'ai partagé avec lui que j'avais ressenti  l'âme de son oeuvre, il a décrit que sa quête pour le réalisme était une préoccupation sincère pour lui, qu'il va au bout de sa maîtrise pour le faire ressortir de sa création.

C'est un artiste en contact avec la nature multidimensionnelle de la vie et il a le mystérieux talent d'incarner l'expérience dans la matière. Visiter son oeuvre est comme explorer une terre étrangère où on est constamment surpris par des facettes innatendues du paysage. 

JON RAFMAN

JON RAFMAN is a startling revelation for me! I saw some of the photographs of his 9-eyes Google Street View in the homes of private collectors and I had seen his paintings at Papier 15 but I had no sense of the overwhelm created by viewing his videos in multiple dimensions like a visitor can do in this exhibition. We become mesmerized by the flow of human madness across the ages that he has captured so well in his various installations. We travel in virtual worlds like Second Life that narrate the multiple points of view of the participants that join in complex imaginary landscapes where Jon Rafman feels the groundlessness of the experiences of his generation, its difficulty in taking a meaningful political or moral stand because every conceivable form of experience assaults the attention of the virtual tourist. All forms of decadence, cruelty and meaninglessness flood the internet dimension and Jon Rafman takes it in and brings it out but we can tell he is not done searching. This makes him a very exciting creator, one I am very glad to have encountered.

Left / Gauche Jon Rafman inside one of his pieces / à l'intérieur d'une de ses pièces Kool Aid Man in Second Life © 2009,  Centre Marc Lanctôt,  Right / Droite Oh the Humanity ( Waterbed ), 2015
Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

FRANÇAIS

JON RAFMAN est une révélation boulversante pour moi! J'avais vu chez des collectionneurs privés des photographies de sa série 9-eyes Google Street View et j'ai vu ses toiles à Papier 15 mais je n'avais aucun sens du submergement créer par le visionnement de ses vidéos en de multiples dimensions comme un visiteur peut le faire dans cette exposition. On devient hypnotiser par le flot de la folie humaine à travers les âges qui est si bien capturée dans ses installations variées. On voyage dans les mondes virtuels de Second Life qui narre les perspectives multiples des participants qui se rejoignent dans les paysages imaginaires complexes où  Jon Rafman ressent le sans-fondement de l'état actuel de sa génération et la difficulté qu'elle confronte à prendre une position politique ou morale significative à cause de tous les assauts concevables lancés à l'attention du touriste virtuel. Toutes les formes de décadence, de cruauté et de non-sens inondent la dimension internaute et Jon Rafman l'absorbe et le transmet mais on peut se rendre compte que sa quête n'est pas compléter. Ceci fait de lui un créateur très excitant, un que je suis heureuse d'avoir croisé.

ALSO / &+

GENEVIÈVE CADIEUX is guest curator for The Eye and the Spirit Point of vue on the collection exhibition of the Museum's permanent collection that is ongoing. While JOHN ZEPPETELLI, the Museum director, presents new acquisitions

GENEVIÈVE CADIEUX est commissaire invité de l'exposition L'Oeil et l'Esprit Point de vue sur la collection du Musée qui se continue. Alors que JOHN ZEPPETELLI, directeur du Musée, présente les nouvelles acquisitions.

Catalogues for the exhibitions are available / Des catalogues d'exposition sont disponibles.

-LENA GHIO

EMERGE ART and the quest to create Artificial Intelligence - AI

IMG_0895.jpg on the left is the original at a smaller size. On the right it has been filtered: despeckled and sharpened with adjustments to the contrasts. © Lena Ghio 2015

ABSTRACT 


Humanity is on the verge of understanding the physics of the origins of life. The evidence brought to light in Microfluidics research is revealing the creative force of water at the micro level. In this article the "intelligence" of water is demonstrated on a different scale and in a different arena, the arts. This is research that is complementary to Microfluidics and Nanofluidics to construct Artificial Intelligence.

I have stumbled upon the discovery that water can communicate in images that transcend refraction while I was making artistic studies of refraction in water. Although it appears this field of inquiry is incompatible with the work done by scientists, it is analogous to it and essential to understand the whole picture of the physics of life and intelligence in the universe.

The proof of my assertions is the images I photograph of water reacting to stimulus and responding in complex images that are complementary to its surroundings but transcend them. I have maintained my evidence in the same way law enforcement maintains their digital data; the original digital documents are intact. I have used Forensic Photoshop to illustrate the hidden language of water. This article will make obvious the intelligence of water through a photographic study on the subject of Joan of Arc. Then it will put this in context with the latest scientific knowledge on what are consciousness, intelligence, and life.

Introduction

Andrew Griffiths, specialist in Microfluidics at the École supérieure de physique et de chimie industrielles de Paris describes drops of water in these terms:

«Elles croissent, se divisent, se reproduisent, sont capables de s’adapter à un environnement, de transmettre des informations. Autant de caractéristique du vivant! »

-They grow, they divide, they reproduce, are capable of adapting to an environment, to transmit information, many characteristics of aliveness!


The Intelligence of Water

Ancient thinkers believed there was a “consciousness substance” at work in the human body that would account for mind. In the 2nd century AD, the Greek physician Galen of Pergamon, who treated wounded gladiators in Rome, proposed that the psychic pneuma, the soul and the individual’s identity, resided in the cerebrospinal fluid. This is a colorless liquid that flows within the interconnecting ventricles lying deep in the brain and bathes the external surface of the brain and spinal cord.

Men of knowledge have been searching for the “sentient principle” for a long time. There is a constant flow of new data in the neurosciences about the working of the nervous system and its pathologies. There is even a deepening understanding about how the brain’s pathologies impact an individual’s personality. Yet neuroscience has not pinpointed the source of a person’s unique identity and soul. With the images I have selected for this article I will show you how unbelievably intelligent water is and that could prove Galen was right all along.

Set-up

I chose a photograph from a two days study on how the water would react to the historical legend Joan of Arc, The Maid of Orléans. She was a young girl who heard voices she said came from God who became a military leader in France from 1429 to 1431 when she was burned alive after a mock trial. I placed a bowl of water beside one biography opened to a page that showed reproductions of the only known drawing of the martyr made in her lifetime and one of her 3 authenticated signatures. Underneath the bowl I put another biography that was unopened with my handwritten request to be shown the face of Joan of Arc. I use an ordinary glass bowl and I fill it with 2 liters of ordinary Brita filtered tap water. I do not perform rituals but I do treat my water as a sentient presence.

The Image

Top left is an illustration of Bishop Pierre Cauchon from an unknown source. I flipped it so it would face the same direction as in my bowl. I placed it on this composite to illustrate the similarity in costume to what emerged in the water. The image bottom left has been colored to bring to clarity the image inside the bowl bottom left. The vignette on the top right has been colored to bring out the remarkable face of Joan of Arc as interpreted by the water. © Lena Ghio 2015

I could see the face on the bottom right clearly as I was taking the pictures. I was not close to the bowl but the features looked masculine to me. The head looked like a king because of a crown like form on its head. When I opened the document I was delighted to see I had been right about seeing the face. Its beauty and details took me aback. There is such intense drama in that face that is looking very intently at an event that is on the left side of the bowl.

We will never get 100% proof that the face is that of the tragic heroine, but the expression on her face is very compatible to her plight of being treacherously condemned to burn as a sorceress. As I studied the image further, I could see another face, less clear, emerging in the direction she is looking at. It reminded me at once of the Bishop Pierre Cauchon, the resolute ecclesiastic charged by her enemies, the English, to discredit her link with God and the King of France. Representations of Bishop Pierre Cauchon in his costumes are very close to what the subject on the left appears to be wearing. The character looks like an ecclesiastic.

Besides revealing a poignant vignette, the image illustrates how water in the amount of two liters behaves. The image on the right, Joan, who is the subject of the inquiry, is unambiguous and extraordinarily well drawn. The image on the left is built up by cloud like formations that appear to advance like micro-waves in what should be perfectly clear water. I have observed that water makes her stories in a multitude of ways and uses everything from refraction to micro-wave to reveal its mind.

The Brain and Water

There are two opposite cases that illustrate how water, of which the cerebrospinal fluid  contains 99%, affects intelligence: dehydration and cases of individuals who live normally with half a brain.

It is well documented that any level of dehydration  reduces the brain functions and very rapidly. Paradoxically there have been nine acknowledged cases of people living normal lives with more cerebrospinal fluid in their heads than gray matter, in other words, with half a brain.

Emerge Art and the Quest for Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Enter the quest to create an Artificial Intelligence, a self-aware autonomous machine that could be programmed with all the knowledge of mankind and enabled to achieve leaps of consciousness and intellect that would transcend any human capabilities.

At this time the problem with programming an AI is that it cannot be taught in the same random and fluid way human beings learn about the world. The machines are taught to recognize patterns of everyday life, let’s say a cat. One day after being fed countless examples of the image of a cat, it recognizes the object cat. This is called “deep learning” and the capacity to recognize “cat” was achieved in 2012 . But for the most part human learning is the result of countless information seized by our bodyminds constantly whether we are in motion or at rest. We are programmed with what is called “unsupervised and unlabeled data”. Although technical solutions are regularly tested, and many are fruitful, there is always a lack of fluidity in the way the machine handles input and output of knowledge because it cannot access “unsupervised and unlabeled data”. This is the kind of learning that creates new knowledge and new ways of operating that are the hallmarks of an evolving intelligence. Scientists differentiate the potentials between the two ways of learning like this: deep learning makes the computer excel at playing chess, a game of fixed rules and limited moves, while unsupervised and unlabeled learning makes us excel at games like Jeopardy where the play on words is often a clue to the answer.

The face on the left has been darkened and contrast. The sharpness of the features is not altered by my hand, it is brought out by filtering the image. The face on the right is the same one but colored lightly to bring out the beautiful features. This really looks like a girl aware that she is about to face something horrific. © Lena Ghio 2015

If we look again at how water responded to my question of showing me Joan of Arc’s face, we can observe that it can access unsupervised and unlabeled data at a magnitude that knows no boundaries. The recent scientific research into water droplets at minuscule scales has proven that size matters a lot. Researchers observed that some experiments were more powerfully successful when the water droplets being tested were smaller. Most importantly in the context of this article is that the scientists could attribute the quality of intelligence to water.

Synthesis

This means that the AI must be constructed to interface with water on many scales. The AI will need access to amounts of water that will bring unsupervised and unlabeled knowledge into the deep learning process if it is ever to behave the way engineer’s dream it should. I can only address the scale at which I have studied water and at this level I would say it would give the AI imagination and the means to make leaps of consciousness.

-LENA GHIO

AROUND THE WORLD: The Ralph Lauren and Vogue Wimbledon Summer Cocktail Party at The Kensington Palace Orangery.

Views of The Kensington Palace Orangery.

Tennis great BORIS BECKER and ALEXANDRA SHULMAN, Editor of British Vogue, hosted the elegant summer cocktail to celebrate Ralph Lauren’s 10th year as Official Outfitters of The Championships, Wimbledon, this past Monday, 22 June, 2015. Many notable guests were in attendance to enjoy live entertainment that included a set by DJ CHELSEA LEYLAND. British-inspired canapés were served as well a summer cocktails, Pimms and champagne. Many guests wore RALPH LAUREN fashion. Here are some highlights:

The Kensington Palace Orangery decorated for the exclusive event. Cocktails were ready to be enjoyed.

Elegant couples wore complementary fashion by Ralph Lauren with dash and color: Left: Boris & Lily Becker; Center: Philip Brook; Right: Marques & Marchioness of Duoro.

From Left to Right: Ale & Jaimie Murray, Laura Bailey, Jim Chapman & Tanya Burr, Alice Eve & Alex Cowper-Smith.

Ralph Lauren created a whole new way for men to wear the classical suit. Left Ali Spencer-Churchill wore a suit from the Ralph Lauren Purple Label for men. Right Jeremy Irvine is dashing in Ralph Lauren Black Label for men sporting the latest trend of not wearing socks with comfortable loafers when in a sharp suit. I just love the subtle abstract design on the grey suit.

These elegant women wear a touch of metal with sublime style. From left to right: Charlotte Dellal, Kate Freud, Lady Kitty Spencer & Maisie Richardson-Sellers.

Other ladies look sumptuous and relaxed in earth tones and fringes. From left to right: Astrid Munoz, Molly King & Sophie Kennedy-Clark.

And this series of images is just astounding. Black with a touch of red! From left to right: Ella Catlift, Gwendoline Christie, well known as Brienne of Tarth, is just gorgeous in her slinky black dress and the dash of red! Lovely! And Joanna Vanderham is a knock-out!

All images courtesy of Ralph Lauren.

-LENA GHIO

AROUND THE WORLD! ART MONACO / ART IBIZA in less than 2 weeks!

MONACO

Get ready to be wowed as Art Monaco and Art Ibiza are adding the final touches to greet you in this the most elegant art fair in the world.

Click the image on the left to sneak a peek at some of the art you will see.

All the information you need is on the links below.

Contact: info@artemonaco.com


Facebook - www.facebook.com/artmonaco | www.facebook.com/artibizaofficial
Twitter - www.twitter.com/artmonacofest | www.twitter.com/artibizafair
Instagram - www.instagram.com/artemonaco | www.instagram.com/artibizaofficial
YouTube - 
        Video 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSODUDci7bw
        Video 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS4LZVg9yD0
Website - www.artemonaco.com | www.art-ibiza.com


BON VOYAGE!

-LENA GHIO

ODYSSEO / CAVALIA until / jusqu'au 19.07.2015

Photo © Lena Ghio 2015

Français plus bas

I have just returned from this awesome show. You have heard it mentioned by now, ODYSSEO, the latest production of CAVALIA, is magnificent! I hope to illustrate this for you although nothing compares with the living experience. The performers, human and animal, connect with people from the start. Every heart in the audience is touched when the horses behave with undeniable and adorable intelligence. Beauty in all its forms captivates our attention with skill and pageantry.

Very moving imagery transports us into another realm. / L'imagerie émouvante nous transporte dans une autre sphère.
Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

It takes many experts from many disciplines to create this magical presentation: set designers, costume designers, multiple technicians, and so on. The Artistic Director, NORMAND LATOURELLE, was also a pioneer with Cirque du Soleil. This explains that spiritual flavor that Montreal circuses possess that make them world attractions. It is the way they narrate a story and reach our souls. That is the signature of Odysseo. It touches our souls with a living burst of motion and smiles and excellence. It brings tears to my eyes when I recognize that it has moved elements so deep in my psyche, in my memory. In this type of show, with many animals, all manners of special considerations must be paid to every detail that may affect the animals perceptions and well-being. For example, costume designer MANON DESMARAIS explained that the materials they use, as well as any ornamental feature on the costumes, had to be suited so as to not distract or scare the animals while they are concentrating on their act. To know more about the amazing creative team go to this link: http://www.cavalia.net/en/cavalia-show/creative-team

The scenery plays a very important part in the awesome effect of the show. As you can tell by the photos I am sharing with you, the images created by GEODEZIK are very evocative and archetypal. The bottom image here that shows the giant heads looking on to the animals and their trainer after a good performance goes to the core of many ancient myths from many cultures. The artists are so vivacious it is infectious, especially the Guinea acrobats that are spinning and jumping and dancing with the most beautiful smiles.

For tickets and more practical information go to this link: http://www.cavalia.net/en/odysseo/tickets-info/montreal-qc-can/calendar You can also go for a tour of the installations and visit the stables which is also a lovely experience.

FRANÇAIS

Je viens tout juste de revenir de cet éblouissant spectacle. Vous l'avez entendu déjà, ODYSSEO, la dernière production de CAVALIA, est magnifique! J'espère illustrer cela pour vous, mais rien ne compare à l'expérience vécue.  Les performeurs, humains et animaux, entrent en contact avec les gens dès le début. Tous les coeurs sont touchés quand les chevaux agissent avec une indéniable et adorable intelligence. La beauté sous toutes ses formes captive notre attention avec adresse et célébration.

There are constant dazzling performances. / Il y a des performances fulgurantes sans arrêt.
Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

Cela prend des experts de plusieurs disciplines pour créer cette présentation magique: scénographie, , costumes, techniciens multiples, et encore. Le Directeur Artistique, NORMAND LATOURELLE, était aussi un pionier du Cirque du Soleil. Ceci explique la saveur spirituelle que possèdent les cirques Montréalais qui les rendent des attractions d'intérêt international. C'est la façon qu'ils racontent une histoire en touchant nos coeurs. Et ça c'est la signature d'Odysseo. Ça touche notre âme avec des éclats de mouvements de sourires et d'excellence. Ça fait monter les larmes dans mes yeux quand je reconnais que cela a touché des éléments enfouis dans ma psyché, dans ma mémoire. Dans ce genre de spectacle, avec beaucoup d'animaux, toutes sortes de considérations spéciales doivent être prises pour chaque détail qui peut influencer les perceptions et le bien-être des bêtes. Par exemple, la designer de costumes MANON DESMARAIS explique que les matériaux dont ils se servent, aussi bien que les ornements des costumes, ne doivent ni distraire ni effrayer les animaux pendant qu'ils performent. Pour en connaître plus sur ces créateurs épatants suivez ce lien: http://www.cavalia.net/fr/odysseo/les-createurs

La mise en scène joue un rôle primordial dans l'effet psychique du spectacle. Comme vous pouvez constater avec les photos que je partage avec vous, les images crées par  GEODEZIK sont très évocatives et archétypales. L'image du bas par exemple avec les têtes de géants qui regardent les animaux et l'entraîneuse après  une bonne performance va au coeur de plusieurs mythes ancients de plusieurs cultures. Les artistes sont infectieusement enjoués, surtout les acrobates de la Guinée qui pirouettent et sautent et dansent avec les plus beaux sourires.

Pour les billets et les infos pratiques: http://www.cavalia.net/fr/odysseo/billets-info/montreal-qc-can/calendrier Vous pouvez aussi visiter les installations et les écuries ce qui est une autre belle expérience.

Photo © Lena Ghio 2015

-LENA GHIO

My tour of Beau's Brewery

Right: Chef Bruce Wood standing beside his exquisite bread; Center: our tour guide, Matt Rozon, explaining the brewing process; Right: Jennifer Beauchesne, Top Secret Project Manager for Beau's.

As part of the Mondial de la Bière, I went on a short journey to visit Beau's Brewery in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, last Friday. Beau's is a family founded baby brewery approaching its tenth year in operation. Father and son, Steve & Tim Beauchesne, as well as other close relatives, handle all the the operations of this 100% organic enterprise. HOW MUCH FUN WAS THIS????!!!! HEY OH! Lots! We met the tour guides at Viger Hall in the Palais des Congrès. There for the first time I tasted their LUG-TREAD lagger beer. I have worked many years for the Molson Coors Brewery so I know beer, but I have never tasted a beer as sumptuous as this one. It has absolutely NO aftertaste! None! Which is what you want from a good lagger. In Montreal you can enjoy a Lug-Tread pint at Ye Old Orchard Pub & Grill and at the totally vegan food chain restaurants La Panthère Verte.

After this delicious brew we got on the bus to hit the road. What a luscious countryside to travel get to our destination. En route we were offered croissants with more Lug-Tread beer. I took a chocolate one and it accompanied my beer perfectly. This beer is so smooth it can easily replace champagne cocktails for special brunches with friends. Here is one recipe I like: 1 part Ginger Ale, 1 part Orange juice, 2 parts Lug-Tread Beer. Yummy! Of course you can adjust the formula to fit your taste. 

When we got to the brewery everything was ready for us. Chef Bruce Wood had prepared the perfect summer lunch box for us and he had prepared the most delicious bread we ever tasted, crispy on the outside and lusciously smooth inside with a burst of flavor that made us ahhhhhhh. The main dish is called Melton Mowbray Pork Pie, that the chef prepared with organically fed pork. This was served with a variety of vegetables marinated with the most subtle spices. Then for desert we had Ginger Molasses Cookies. They were chewy and delectable. I had two. 

By the way you can also visit the brewery. It is open seven days a week. You will be given a tour if you like and samples. There are picnic tables on the newly furbished terrace and the country is just lovely and green. You don't have to reserve but it can help if you do if you want to be a larger group of visitors. If you want to enjoy the chef's great food, he is cooking on the week-ends only.

I was not done experiencing flavor. I sampled the BEAVER RIVER India Pale Ale that is a seasonal beer. I was stunned by a crisp grapefruit flavor that lingered in my mouth a few seconds. Again I experienced the unique quality of Beau's Beer that I could best describe with the word fresh. My mouth felt refreshed but lightly. There is no heaviness to this beer that nonetheless contains 5.6% alcohol. Then I tried THE BOTTLE IMP Russian Imperial Coffee Stout. The first sip is thick and bitter and then magically evaporates into pleasure on the palate. I tried a sample of one of their oak barrel fermented beers that was also a gustative miracle! I could taste the fruitiness and the oak with that elusive quality that everyone told me came from the source water they use to make the beer.

A highly recommended summer visit!

On Facebook  and  Twitter   Hey Oh!

-LENA GHIO

HORST : Beauty and Elegance / HORST : La Beauté et l'Élégance

© Marilyn Aitken – Musée McCord / McCord Museum 

Français plus bas

The McCord Museum of Montreal is dedicated to the celebration of our history and heritage. This summer, we have the opportunity to enter the world of high fashion through the photography of Horst. The curator of this delightful show is SUSANNA BROWN of the Victoria & Albert Museum of London. As we witness the evolution of photography at many levels, because Horst experimented with many forms of photography; travel, surrealist, nudes; we can also recognize the evolution of today's standards in the representation of fashion and luxury as his models become longer and thinner and the images more complex.

Curator / Commissaire Susanna Brown
Photo © Lena Ghio 2015

There are many elements of this exhibition that are thoroughly enjoyable. We see a sample of Horst's workbook, some elegant designer clothes, videos, and an interactive installation that allows us to peruse through some of Horst photographic articles where he illustrates some of the most elegant homes of his time.

There is also an excellent exhibition on the same floor that recounts the history of Montreal with many artifacts, photos, and clothes: Montreal - Points of view. On the first floor there is an exhibition on aboriginal cultures: First Nations, Inuits, Métis: Wearing our Identity. The First Peoples Collection. There are two exceptional pieces by REBECCA BELMORE that on their own are worth your visit: Dream Catcher, 2014 and Victorious. Also there are interesting installations around the Museum. There is the fifth edition of The Urban Forest installed on Victoria street between Sherbrooke and President Kennedy and designed by Paula Meijerink and Thierry Beaudoin of W-A-N-T-E-D landscape. There are food trucks available should you wish to picnic there and animation until September 27th 2015.

On the beautiful McGill College Avenue you can admire a series of 24 photographs David W. Marvin : Street Chronicles 1965 - 1975 until October 18, 2015.

FRANÇAIS

Le Musée McCord de Montréal est dédié à la célébration de notre histoire et de notre héritage. Cet été, nous avons l'opportunité d'entrer dans le monde de la haute couture par le biais de la photographie de Horst. La commissaire de cette délicieuse exposition est SUSANNA BROWN du Victoria & Albert Museum de Londre. Alors que nous regardons l'évolution de la photographie à plusieurs niveaux, parce que Horst expérimentait avec plusieurs formes de photographie: le voyage, le surréalisme, les nus; on peut aussi remarquer l'évolution des standards dans la représentation de la mode et du luxe alors que ses modèles deviennent plus longues et affinées et les images plus complexes. 

Ils y a plusieurs éléments très agréables à cette exposition. On voit un cahier d'esquisses de Horst, des jolis vêtements de désigner, des vidéos, et une installation inter-active qui nous permet de parcourir les articles photographiques où Horst documente les maisons les plus élégantes de son temps. 

Il y a aussi une excellente exposition sur le même plancher qui raconte l'histoire de Montréal avec plusieurs artéfacts, photos et habits: Montréal - Points de vue. Au premier plancher il y a une exposition sur les cultures aborigènes: Premières Nations, Inuits, Métis: Porter son identité. La collection Premiers Peuples. Il y a deux pièces exceptionnelles de l'artiste REBECCA BELMORE qui par eux seules méritent le déplacement: Dream Catcher, 2014 et Victorious. Il y a aussi des installations intéressantes autour du Musée. C'est la 5e édition de Forêt Urbaine située sur la rue Victoria entre Sherbrooke et Président Kennedy et qui a été conçue par Paula Meijerink et Thierry Beaudoin de W-A-N-T-E-D paysage. Il y a des camions vendeurs si vous désirez faire un picnic sur les lieux et il y aura de l'animation jusqu'au 27 septembre 2015.

Sur la magnifique Avenue McGill College vous pouvez admirer une série de 24 photographies de David W. Marvin : chroniques de rue 1965 - 1975 jusqu'au 18 octobre 2015.

-LENA GHIO

ODYSSEO Cavalia 17.06 - 12.07.2015

Photo © Lena Ghio 2015

Français plus bas

Hundreds of people gathered on Place Champs de Mars to experience the preview of the most recent Cavalia production ODYSSEO. If you have not seen a Cavalia production yet, do it now because this will be the last series of show in Montreal for a long time to come! You will never regret it.

This show is a combination of fairy tale, horses and the latest technology to transports you in the land of myths.

TICKETS – Odysseo will be presented for the last time in Montreal, starting June 17, under the White Big Top at the corner of Metropolitan and Decarie boulevards. Tickets are priced from $52 to $152 + applicable taxes and fees. For a memorable evening, the Rendez-Vous package offers the best seats in the house, buffet-dining before the show, open bar, desserts during intermission and an exclusive visit to the stables after the show. This unique VIP experience takes place in a tent alongside the White Big Top. The Rendez-Vous package prices range from $147 to $262. Tickets for Odysseo are available at www.cavalia.net  or by calling 1-866-999-8111.  Odysseo, the company’s second show, has toured to rave reviews and public acclaim since its 2011 premiere. Follow Cavalia’s latest developments at www.twitter.com/cavalia or www.facebook.com/cavalia. Hashtag: #OdysseoMTL

First the trainers walked the horses so they could relax amidst the big crowd that had gathered and then we saw a group of skilled Guinea born acrobats perform. / Dans un premier temps les entraineurs on fait marcher les chevaux pour les acclimater à la foule grandissante et ensuite nous avons vu une troupe talentueuse d'accrobate de Guinée.
Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

FRANÇAIS

Des centaines de personnes se sont regroupées sur la Place Champs de Mars pour vivre l'expérience d'un avant goût de la plus récente production de Cavalia ODYSSEO. Si vous n'avez pas encore vu une production Cavalia, faites-le maintenant car c'est la dernière séries de représentations à Montréal pour un bon bout de temps! Vous ne le regretterez jamais.

Ce spectacle est une combinaison conte de fée, de chevaux et de la dernière technologie pour vous transporter aux pays des mythes.

BILLETS – Odysséo sera présenté pour la dernière fois à Montréal dès le 17 juin sous le Grand Chapiteau Blanc à l’angle des boulevards Métropolitaine et Décarie. Le prix des billets varie entre 52$ et 152$ + taxes. Pour une soirée inoubliable, le forfait Rendez-Vous vous offre les meilleurs sièges, un buffet avant le spectacle, un service de bar ouvert, des desserts à l’entracte et une visite exclusive des écuries après le spectacle. Cette expérience VIP unique prend place dans un chapiteau à proximité du Grand Chapiteau Blanc. Le prix des forfaits VIP varie entre 147$ et 262$ Les billets pour Odysséo sont disponibles au www.cavalia.net ou en téléphonant au 1-866-999-8111.  Le second spectacle Odysseo, également en tournée depuis ses débuts à l’automne 2011, récolte des hommages partout sur son passage tant de la part de la critique que du public en général. Suivez l’actualité de Cavalia sur www.twitter.com/Cavalia ou  www.facebook.com/Cavalia. Mot-clic : #OdysseoMTL

Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

-LENA GHIO

Le Mondial de la Bière OFFICIELLEMENT OUVERT! / OFFICIALLY OPEN! 10.06. - 14.06.2015

Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

Français en bas

Its official, the Mondial de la Bière is open for business, the business of making you enjoy food, atmosphere and BEER! The opening ceremonies were hosted by:

Madam Jeannine Marois, Cofunder and President, Mondial de la bière
Mister Raymond Larivée, CIO, Palais des congrès Montréal
Mister Jérôme Ferrer, chef-propriétaire, Groupe Europea
Madam Carole Plante, Business Development Manager, Mondial de la bière
and
Mister Jérôme Charlebois, singer-songwriter, spokesperson of the event, son of famed Robert Charlebois, and who also gave a heartfelt performance tonight.

It is very easy to access. As soon as you get out of Place D'Armes Metro you will meet guides that will assist you where you need to go. There are ample maps and information all over the clean, spacious site.

All you have to do now is ENJOY! CHEERS!

Photos © Lena Ghio 2015

FRANÇAIS

C'est officiel, le Mondial de la Bière est lancé et prêt à vous offrir des plaisirs gourmands, de l'atmosphère et de la BIÈRE! Les cérémonies d'ouvertures étaient présentées par:

Madame Jeannine Marois, fondatrice et présidente, Mondial de la bière
Monsieur Raymond Larivée, PDG, Palais des congrès de Montréal
Monsieur Jérôme Ferrer, chef-propriétaire, Groupe Europea
Madame Carole Plante, directrice du développement des affaires, Mondial de la bière
et
Monsieur Jérôme Charlebois, auteur-compositeur-interprète, porte-parole de l’événement, fils du célèbre Robert Charlebois, qui a donné une performance touchante ce soir.

Le site est vraiment facile d'accès. Dès que vous sortez du Métro Place D'Armes vous êtes acceuillis par des guides qui vont vous assitez où que vous vouliez aller. Il y a beaucoup de plans du site bien localisés ainsi que d'amples informations tout autour du site spacieux et propre.

Tout ce qu'il vous reste à faire c'est d'apprécier! À VOTRE SANTÉ!

-LENA GHIO

ZOOFEST 09.07 - 01.08.2015

English Below

Nous avons fait la fête hier au Club Soda pour connaître la programmation de cette année au Festival ZOOFEST. Ce qui distingue ce festival sur la création humoristique est qu'il présente des talents émergeants et audacieux.

Le Festival se regénère avec un nouveau directeur PATRICK ROZON qui était anciennement lié aux arts de la rue du Festival Juste pour rire. FANNIE BISSONNETTE demeure à la barre de la programmation où elle oeuvre depuis 3 ans déjà.

Le Spot Zoofest qui se manifestera du 23 au 25 juillet offrira 4 zones extérieures pour s'amuser : jeux classiques style pétanque et ping-pong, des exposants flyés, un Biergarten et des BBQ!

Il y aura les One-man show incluant une rare performance de GILBERT ROZON. D'autres noms à souligner: KYAN KHOJANDI, MEHDI BOUSAIDAN, FRED DUBÉ, SIMON DELISLE, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMS, JÉRÉMY DU TEMPLE-QUIRION, DIDIER LAMBERT, JC SURETTE, ALEX ROOF, REDA SAOUI, ALEXANDRE BISAILLON, FRANCIS PAPINEAU, ETIENNE DANO, PASCAL CAMERON, ROMAN FRAYSSINET, DAVE GAUDET, ALEX VIZOREK.

DENIS TALBOT nous fera découvrir la culture Geek. Il y aura le Gala de l'absurde, Le Cabarets des Maudits Français!, Z'importés &+

En tout il y aura 500 artiste - 180 spectacles - 700 représentations - 15 salles et 1 Spot Zoofest! Vous pouvez accéder au maximum d'événements en vous procurant une passe sur le site www.zoofest.com

ENGLISH

On top of all the above mentionned goodies, this year Zoofest.tv is continuing to build itself up following last years success. There is My First Time that features some of Canada's rising stars; The Mont-Royal Rumble that pits two of Montreal's legendary stand-ups: MIKE PATERSON and GEORGE BRAITHWAITE; CannaBoiz Comedy Hour, 60 minutes with MIKE RITA, STEPHEN SPINOLA, and EVAN JONES to name a few.

There is the OFF-JFL@ZOOFEST portion that is produced by Just for Laughs and presented by Zoofest. Here are some of the people coming into town for us: NEAL BRENNAN, BRIAN POSEHN, KYLE KINANE, WYATT CENAC former Daily Show correspondent YES!, and one of my all time favorite female comic JANEANE GAROFALO! YES! And many many more. It is just outstanding! You can get your tickets or event passes for this portion of Zoofest @ hahaha .com

-LENA GHIO