The sheer volume of free art film screenings in the city is enough to make even the most consummate buff's eyes glaze over, but this Thursday at DeLeon White Gallery, those same eyes might just pop out of their sockets.

RATTLE A CAGE! part of "Salon Thursdays" at DWG, will present art films by artists—selections from those whose primary medium is not necessarily film. R. Bruce Elder, Angela Joose, renowned performance artist Istvan Kantor, and host Wesley Rickert are among those screening their work. In true Brechtian tradition, Rickert seeks to "actively break down the barriers between art and life," and wants to "put the artist back in the driver's seat." The end goal of the evening, therefore, is to challenge the audience as much as possible, not only through the content of the works, but the way in which they are presented.

A little vague on details, for fear of ruining the surprise, Rickert confides, "if you're going to be screening films, you don't want to just screen films." So look for live performance pieces to punctuate the on-screen drama. With "Salon Thursdays" curator and performance artist in her own right, Ezster Jagica, as well as Kantor in attendance (the latter of whose antics include throwing his own blood onto canvases at the National Gallery of Canada, the MOMA, and our own sweet AGO), it's sure to be some kind of party. The evening will function under Rickert's motto that "It's necessary and beneficial to challenge boundaries, and it's the responsibility of the artist to do so." Be prepared for some actual cage rattling.

The performance and screening run from 7–10 p.m. at the DeLeon White Gallery (1139 College Street, just west of Dufferin).

Photo courtesy of Wesley Rickert