Make sure you check out the exhibition Chrysalides by multi-talented artist Patrick Bernatchez, currently on show at Centre des arts actuels Skol.

The artist tackles the concept of birth, transformation, and decay using mesmerizing, yet deeply disturbing imagery. The running thread holding the series of artworks together is a commercial building called The Fashion Plaza, where the artists has his studio. This building inspired a series of photographs which are the building blocks for a set of 12 piano pieces (composed by Bernatchez), a large etched mirror featuring the Plaza, and a series of 91 drawings covering the longest gallery wall. The drawings are hung in a grid, echoing a wall of windows. The tight, detailed pencil drawings show nightmarish scenes of human bodies (mostly female) in grotesque, violent poses, birthing and devouring animals and plants. Playing on the theme of “reflection”, some drawings are etched onto mirrors.
The strongest piece of the exhibition is a short movie titled Chrysalide, set in the Plaza’s underground parking lot. It is both creepy and brilliant. I won’t spoil it for you, you should see it for yourself. Make sure you see the whole thing – it will be 10 minutes and 43 seconds well spent!

Centre des arts actuels Skol
s
pace 314
Patrick Bernatchez
Chrysalides

exhibition dates: April 4 – May 3, 2008

www.skol.ca