If Mara were a colour, they would be a deep forest green; the kind that looks even at first glance, and keeps revealing its many shades once you listen to its textures and get carried away by its wonders.
Their roots anchored in Martinican heritage and headbanging to the rhythms of rap and many other genres, Mara is a shapeshifter who seizes beauty in the shadows, in places overlooked by most. Their mind is a web connecting matters and aesthetics you thought could never fit together, only to surprise you with brand new ways of seeing the daily things you’ve been doing your whole life. Never caught without their (lined) notebook, Mara is as much a mover and choreographer as a writer. A pluridisciplinary poet, I would dare to say. I’ll forever be impressed by their way of bending space and time through creation, of building worlds where family archives mingle with pop culture, queer theories, and a dose of unapologetic quirkiness.
In a sense, spending a day with Mara is like making coffee in a moka pot: slow start, unexpected burst, warm aroma—but nothing before 2 pm.
-Written by Cam Gendron
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Which ’hood are you in?
I have been living in Villeray ever since my family and I moved to Canada, and I love it very much. I consider it my home. It’s a nice place to breathe, go for a walk in Jarry Park or through the green alleyways. Despite the fact that I’m more of a homebody, I’ve accumulated a great amount of wonderful memories there, with stops at the Oui mais non café as one of my favourite treats.
What do you do?
I wear a few different hats: my artistic practice ranges from choreographing to performing, helping other artists with movement direction and, occasionally, teaching. I am very interested in francophone rap music, queer(ing) art and reading/writing poetry. I am also a dreamer, a big sibling, a partner and a friend, all of which inspire me deeply.
What are you currently working on?
My latest project II. FTG will be presented at the end of the month at the MAI – Montréal, arts interculturels. For this duet, I draw inspiration from the realms of francophone rap and afrobeats to create an immersive piece where assigned gender roles are blurred and popular videoclip aesthetics are subverted. II. FTG was created in collaboration with dancers Aurélie Ann Figaro and Athena Lucie Assamba, and DJ Chef Jeff. I am also working on rebuilding a daily writing habit, with the intention of embracing a greater interdisciplinarity between text, body and performance.
Where can we find your work?
You can find more about my past and current projects on my website, or you can reach me directly by email. You can also join us from January 21 to 24 at the MAI – Montréal, arts interculturels to discover II. FTG !
