Paris Photo 2008

Paris Photo, the world's premier fair for still photography, is taking place November 13th-16th at the Carrousel du Louvre in Paris' 1st arondissement. I had the privilege of attending the fair last year (when Italy was the guest of honour) and both myself and Switzerland CS' Art Director, Shawn Butchart will be there this year (when Japan will be the guest of honour). If you're a fan of photography, I'd strongly urge you to attend Paris Photo if ever have the chance. To check out the Paris Photo website click here. Ben Pobjoy

Hey Montreal- Free Dark Meat show this week

Vice and RVCA are kind enough to offer a free Dark Meat show this Wednesday at Club Lambi (4465 St. Laurent). Doors open at 8PM and bands go on at 9PM. You can RSVP here. Dark Meat are an awesome 17 piece psychedelic punk free jazz band from Athens, Georgia that you should check out. To hear Dark Meat click here.

Hey Toronto- Jesse Harris and Niall McClelland exhibition

Jesse Harris, who exhibited at the Emporium this past summer, is exhibiting with Niall McClelland outside of #2 Rusholme Dr. on Saturday, October 4th in Toronto. The exhibition begins at 9PM and will go late. It's a Harris exhibition so it's going to be good. Check this out, Ben Pobjoy

New Diesel promotional video for their XXX party

Diesel has killed it with this new promotional video for their upcoming XXX party. I know this is getting viral but I thought I'd share it anyway, Ben Pobjoy

Hey Montreal- Art Pop begins this week!

Art Pop, the visual arts component of Pop Montreal, begins this week. There's a lot of great exhibitions to check out. For more information on Art Pop programming visit the Art Pop website here. Support this, Ben Pobjoy

Dennis Chow's Emporium exhibition propped by Vice

If you live in Montreal and didn't attend the opening for Dennis Chow's the Horrible World of GlamNation at the Emporium, you really did shit the bed. His Emporium exhibition, described by Vice as "well worth the trip to St. Henri [where the gallery's located in Montreal]," is open tomorrow (Sunday) from 12PM-6PM- it's the last day the exhibition is open to the public. Chow's exhibition is a really fun, bold exhibition. You can read what Vice wrote about Dennis' new exhibition here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

Rick Froberg

Besides having been a member of seminal bands like Drive Like Jehu and Hot Snakes, Rick Froberg is also an amazing illustrator. His work borrows heavily from imagery that was widespread in post-WW11 American comics. However, his illustrations are very much original and stylized- and, also quite humorous. To see more of Froberg's illustrations check out his website here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

Dennis Chow's the Horrible World of GlamNation opens this Thursday at the Emporium!!!

Dennis Chow's the Horrible World of GlamNation opens at the Emporium Gallery THIS THURSDAY from 7PM to 11PM. The show will also be open from Friday, September 26th to Sunday, September 28th from 12PM to 6PM. Private viewings will be available by appointment on Monday, September 29th through Wednesday, October 1st.

About the Horrible World of GlamNation-
Dennis Chow is a Toronto-based graphic designer and illustrator. The Horrible World of GlamNation is a collection of illustrative work dedicated to 1980's popular culture, comics, horror movies, the occult, the working class and the forgotten. Comprised of screen prints, photo copies and giclee prints, The Horrible World of GlamNation will be anything but horrible.

Artist Statement-
I am a popular culture junkie and I can't help it. In my head, there are archives and archives of useless knowledge; things such as popular television sitcoms, low budget music videos, unsuccessful corporate mascots, horror movies, local bikini pin-ups, fad products, teenage subcultures and tabloid media sensations- the list goes on and on.

It is quite obvious that my interest in these things manifest themselves within my artworks. I hope to show the viewer how these seemingly obscure and unimportant references have greatly influenced modern society.

About Dennis Chow-
Dennis Chow (aka GlamNation) is a Toronto-based visual artist. Having grown up in the 1980's, Chow has long been influenced by the many obscure aspects of popular culture. His work is heavily decorated with traces of humour, horror, raunch and attitude. The honesty of his subject matter is often praised as much as it is criticized, though the end result is always something that keeps the viewer interested. Dennis Chow's website can be seen here.

For more information click on the eflier above or visit the Emporium Gallery website here. Hope to see you there, Ben

Fuck You Los Angeles!

I went to LA last week so that I could get out of the office for a few days. I got mondo burned on a ticket (never book 3 days in advance) but it was worth it- I got out of the office, got to see old friends and made some new friends. And, I was introduced to the music of the Flash Express and the Superbees- two ripping LA bands that you should check out if you like Rock and Roll. Here's more on the bands-


The Flash Express is a gnarly three-piece Rock and Roll band that is as garage rock and as they are a soulful. If you like the Blues Explosion, the Stooges and anything on the 'In the Red' record label, you'll dig the Flash Express' dirty, gritty, catchy brand of Rock and Roll. To check out the Flash Express click here.


The Superbees are the sonic exemplification of worn denim and black leather riding jackets. If you dig MC5, you'll fucking love the Superbees. Just listening to them makes me want to get shitty and pump my fists in a crappy club that smells like shit.To check out the Superbees click here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

Miles Collyer

Miles Collyer is a Toronto-born, OCAD graduate. His photographic work is interesting- it often reconfigures contemporary, almost iconic conflict images (I.E.Ds, EZLN masks, etc) in a personal repositioning- where said images are removed from conflict and introduced into personal, conflict-less scenarios. You can see more of Collyer's work here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

Persopolis

Persopolis is an intelligent, beautifully animated film based on Marjane Satrapi's graphic novel of the same name. The film brilliantly captures the intersection of history with that of the family. It's an enjoyable film that you should check out, Ben Pobjoy

Sweetspot names the Emporium Gallery one of the best galleries in Montreal!

Sweetspot.ca recently named the Emporium Gallery as one of the best art galleries in Montreal adding that we are "pushing the envelope with a strong contemporary vision." You can see the kudos here. Thanks Sweetspot, Ben Pobjoy

Weird Science

Weird Science was on TV last night and it is still a funny flick. Watch this on a rainy day and you'll shit your pants with laughter, Ben Pobjoy.

New Patrick Tsai Website!

Patrick Tsai, who exhibited at the Emporium Gallery last fall, has launched a new website. We couldn't be happier as we're a big fans of Tsai's photography- which documents the many facets of life in a very human, intimate way. To see Patrick Tsai's new website click here. Check it out, Ben Pobjoy

New Pee-Wee Herman Movie!

I saw Paul Reubens (Pee-Wee Herman) in Hollywood last Saturday and he said that he's making a new Pee-Wee Herman movie. I wish I had more info to share but that's all he said. So, cross your fingers- a new Pee-Wee Herman movie is coming. I'm stoked, Ben Pobjoy

Glynis Selina Arban

Glynis Selina Arban, who exhibited at the Emporium Gallery last fall, has just launched a new blog which features her amazingly beautiful portraits as well as personal musings on her work, travels and family. Arban is one of our favorite fashion photographers so check her out. Her blog can be found here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

Want to win an insane amount of musical gear?

Our pals at Vice Canada informed us about a ridiculous contest that is currently taking place online. If you play music, you should enter this contest. Up for grabs is a slew of gear from Marshall, Hagstrom, Vox, Digitech, Pearl, Korg, Sabian, Samson, Washburn and Hartke (there's too much to name). Anyway, all you have to do is email wintheband@jamindustries.com and provide your contact info, mention how you read about the contest in Vice and provide a 50 word minimum explanation as to why you want to win the gear (pictured above). Jump on this! Ben Pobjoy

Hey Toronto- the Beaver Tales: Canadian Art and Design Exhibition opens next week

The Beaver Tales: Canadian Art and Design exhibition opens Tuesday, September 16th at the University of Toronto Art Centre (15 King's College Circle). Beaver Tales showcases both emerging and established designers and craft makers, alongside seminal artists who spearheaded the tradition of interpreting and celebrating Canadian countryside and wildlife in their artwork. The exhibition showcases works by our favorite Canadian designer, Rob Southcott (his United We Stand design is pictured in the official promotional materials for the exhibition) as well as works by stalwarts like Frank Gehry and many others. If we were in Toronto we'd surely attend the opening! For more information click here. You'd be nuts to miss this! Ben Pobjoy

Rob Southcott

Rob Southcott is Toronto-based industrial designer that is exceptionally talented. His designs are as artisanal and organic as they are sophisticated and contemporary. Southcott excels at maximizing the sheer beauty of the natural materials he uses while reconfiguring said materials into stunning designs which have ingenious usages. Whether he is working with laminated ash or birch veneer, Southcott pairs the warmth of natural materials with the ubiquitous cool of modern industrial design- it's top fucking notch. To see more of Southcott's work click here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

The Emporium Gallery website has been massively updated

The Emporium Gallery website has been updated! All current programming is now listed. In addition, you can now see the virtual tour for Doug Brown's Colours exhibition- this can be accessed from the toggle bar that is in the right hand corner of the website's main page. You can see the Emporium Gallery website here.

Dennis Chow's the Horrible World of GlamNation opens at the Emporium Gallery on Thursday, September 25th from 7PM-11PM. Hope to see you there, Ben Pobjoy

Hey Montreal- SNAP! Magazine Issue #3 Launch Party this Thursday!

SNAP! Magazine, a free Montreal-based magazine dedicated to the arts, is launching its 3rd issue this Thursday at Le Bisou (4147 St. Laurent) from 9PM-3AM (free drinks served from 9PM-11PM for you cheapskates) . SNAP! is a great supporter of the local art scene, so support them. For more information visit the SNAP! website here. Support this, Ben Pobjoy

Hey Montreal- Blood Royale exhibition opens this week at Galerie d'art Yves Laroche

Blood Royale, an exhibition featuring artworks by over 30 international tattoo artists, opens at Galerie d'art Yves Laroche (4 St. Paul St.) this Wednesday from 6PM to 9PM. We're pretty excited to attend this great exhibition. For more information visit the Galerie d'art Yves Laroche website here. Hope to see you there, Ben Pobjoy

Hey Montreal- CCA Book Sale this Friday!

The Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA) is having a book sale that begins this Friday and ends this Sunday. Considered to be one of Montreal's best book stores, the CCA book store is stocked full of great architecture, design and art books. Some books will be marked down to as little as $1! This is going to be shit hot! For more information visit the CCA website here. We'll be at the book store Friday morning fawning over design books, Ben Pobjoy

Hey Montreal- Who is KK Downey?

Who is KK Downey? is a feature full length from Montreal's Kidnapper Films- it opens in Montreal this Friday at 3PM at AMC (2313 Ste-Catherine Ouest). The film has won numerous awards at North American film festivals and has won critical acclaim. And, if that's not rad enough Switzerland CS designed the book cover of the book which the film centers around (which is visible numerous times in the trailer below)- we also designed numerous posters that appear in the movie as well. Needless to say we're excited to see the movie- but more so because friends of ours made it and we're proud of them. The film trailer is below. Support this, Ben Pobjoy

David Lynch is King

He's a great filmmaker but an even greater commentator on the state of the times. See the below, Ben Pobjoy

Alejandro Jodorowsky

Alejandro Jodorowsky is a remarkable film director that I have meant to plug for a long time. He's celebrated within film circles but is generally unknown within the mainstream- which is unfortunate given how influential his filmic aesthetic is on modern cinema.

Jodorowsky's films are ambitious, absurd and amazing. I have always appreciated the scale of his films- from his sets, to the cinematography to the intensity of the story lines. If you're a fan of Matthew Barney or Tarsem (Tarsem Singh), you should really check out Jodorowsky. The below is from Jodowrosky's Holy Mountain. Check it out, Ben Pobjoy

CBC in the Emporium Gallery

The CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), a Canadian crown corporation and the country’s national public radio and television broadcaster, was in the Emporium Gallery today filming both the gallery and Doug Brown's 'Colours' exhibition.

The Emporium Gallery is getting a lot of media attention these days thanks to the great artists that are producing the artwork which we choose to exhibit. Thanks to everyone that's spreading the word and/or supporting our gallery.

We'll let you know when the CBC is going to air the story. Thanks, Ben Pobjoy

Hey Ottawa- Hayden Menzies exhibition opening this Friday

Toronto-based visual artist, Hayden Menzies (who is exhibiting at the Emporium Gallery in November) is exhibiting in Ottawa from September until October. His latest solo exhibition opens this Friday at the Artguise Gallery (590 Bank Street). The opening runs from 7:30PM to 10:30PM and Menzies will be in attendance. For more information, visit the Artguise Gallery website here. Enjoy, Ben Pobjoy

Lars von Trier, Dogville and Manderlay

You know why I love my brother? Because he knows that I hate leaving our office / sends me DVDs because I'm radically behind in watching films that are all the rage (since they often involve having to leave the office / venturing out into society). Anyway, he posted me Lars von Trier's Dogville and Manderlay last week. Both films are exceptional- I'd highly recommend them. If you are interested in/ fascinated by Brechtian cinema, post-modernism and the incongruity of human nature and idealism, you'll have your mind blown out by Dogville and Manderlay- the first two installments of von Trier's USA - Land of Opportunities trilogy. And, both movies have some of the best 'end credits' that I have ever seen. Pray for rain, stay in and watch these great films, Ben Pobjoy

Hey Toronto- Rad Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains show this Saturday

I just caught wind that Sebastien Grainger and the Mountains are playing at the top of the Burroughes Building (639 Queen Street West) this Saturday. Doors open at 8:30PM and the show is $5. This is something that should be checked out, Ben Pobjoy
*Yes, the photos above are of Seb during his LSD phase (just kidding you gossipy numb nuts).