Mathieu Levesque’s Puzzle

Saturday was one of those days where I felt hyper in-tune with my love for the art world. I spent the day passionately discussing art with a like-minded client, and finished off at Galerie Trois Points, housed on the fifth floor of the Belgo Building. I’ve said this before: I have nothing but love for the Trois Points owners, their artists and now, especially Mathieu Levesque’s Puzzle...

Jonah Lehrer wrote in his book Imagine “You know an idea has promise when it seems obvious in retrospect.” This is exactly how I felt towards Levesque’s sprayed enamel on wood. His pieces (call them painting, sculpture, installation, architectural prototypes... all rolled into one) redefine the notions of painting and art. With this exhibition, Mathieu Levesque completes his Master’s degree in visual arts and media art at UQAM. If you are in Montreal, I encourage you to head over to Galerie Trois Points; the show is up until December 15^th.

 

 

Now... I must really get ready... the lovely Danina awaits me for a girly lunch at Holts!

Happy weekend!

 

 

 

Review: Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Skin Perfector

I’m not sure what this says about my willpower, but most of what goes on my “Currently Craving” posts becomes mine. My latest purchase? Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Skin Perfector, which was described by The Beauty Editor as blowing “BB Creams out of the water.” Sold!

 

 

I, for one, never jumped on the BB cream wagon. I’m not a fan of its greasy finish... In my opinion, Armani’s Maestro Skin Perfector does what BB only hopes to achieve... but for a whooping 68 CAN$. Ouch.

 

Once you get your hands on this product (bite the bullet and doooo it), shake the bottle, place two or three drops on your fingers and simply let them glide on your face. I’m telling you: it’s like giving yourself a massage with fairy dust! It’s by far the lightest foundation on the market. It goes on smooth, like thin fluid oil... Now, if the word “oil” just made you cringe with visions of breaking out, relax. Maestro is noncomedogenic, which means that it won’t block pores. Your skin will feel nourished and soft (oh sooo soft!). As for coverage, I’d be lying if I said it was a one stop shop. I won’t be giving up by Boi-ing Benefit concealor (to camouflage a late night outing) or even my faithful Cover FX to powder my nose. But here’s what I will guarantee: if you try this product, you’ll get a gorgeous glow, long lasting coverage and incredible comfort!

Let me know if you’ve tried it or if you have a new fave product!

 

 

 

Burgundy Lips

Have you been contemplating purchasing deep burgundy lipstick, but are still unsure about this fall trend? I hear ya! It can be scary since dark colours will easily wash you out or look Halloween-y if you don’t do it right.

 

 

A dark lipstick must be chosen wisely. What suits your complexion? Plum, violet, espresso or berry? (I still remember rocking the espresso shade in the nineties – so forgive me if I stay far from this one.)  1. CHANEL’s Baroque Rouge Coco Lipstick is a combination of berry, brown and ruby. As for most dark lipsticks, be sure to add liner for fuller coverage.  2. KATE VON D’s Painted Love in Homegirl is a dark plum. Its matte finish will look good on you fair skinned ladies. Since Miss Von D pretty much embodies vampy baroque, I trust her to make a sexy dark lipstick.  3. MAKE UP FOR EVER #49 is described as a satin blueberry. I must admit that I have a new obsession with MUFO products. They are creamy and highly pigmented.  4. REVLON Colourburst in Plum is a light wine colour. It’s a good starter to test off the trend as its price point is fairly low. Remember to exfoliate your lips before applying your lipstick since darker shades will highlight imperfections and flakes. Be bold & Have fun!

 

 

Alex McLeod at Galerie Trois Points

When I was invited to Alex McLeod’s solo exhibition at Galerie Trois Points, I was expecting a sculptural installation. To be fair, gallery owners Jean-Michel Bourgeois and Émilie Grandmont-Bérubé had warned me that McLeod’s work was computer-generated. Yet the image on the invitation seemed so real, so... three-dimensional... that I assumed “computer-generated” was just some overused artsy lingo, like “mixed-media,” which has come to describe most art forms.

Alex McLeod, Blood Clouds 3, Digital rendering C-Print, 2011, 40" x 60"

I entered the gallery, faced with McLeod’s hyper-realistic computer-generated photographs. Reminiscent of the 3D optical illusion images that used to torture my eyes and brain as a child, McLeod’s work depicts illusory landscapes which merge abstract forms, curvilinear vegetation and strangely believable sci-fi globules. The overall composition is both chaotic and hypnotic. Despite the artist’s intention to make the images appear as though they were photographed in situ, each composition was entirely created in the digital world. They do not exist in “real life.” In a world where the search for truth is omnipresent, it is refreshing to view an exhibition which blurs the boundaries of our reality.

Alex McLeod, Magic Eye, Digital rendering C-Print, 2011, 40" x 60"

If, for any reason, you remain unconvinced that Alex McLeod is one to watch, know this: a) After graduating from the Ontario College of Art and Design in 2007, he exhibited in New York, California, Barcelona, Toronto and Montreal (to name a few) b) Kanye West is a fan (tell me you aren’t impressed) and c) He and I (McLeod that is, not Kanye) share the same birthday. Enough said!

For more information on the artist, contact Galerie Trois Points. The show is on until June 16^th, so hurry up!