Skip to main content

Mara Eagle

2020-2021, Concordia University

The artwork has a botanical theme: four tall, conical flowers with blue and green hues grow upright against a black background. A hand holding a small, metal sculpture object is visible on the right. Still image from “Théâtre de l'Inconnu“ 2-channel HD video & sound, 13 minutes, 2020 by Mara Eagle.
Mara Eagle. Photo: courtesy of the artist.

Mara Eagle is an American artist living and working in Montréal since 2012. Drawing from the history of science and feminist studies, her work explores the historical contingency of the concept of nature, and envisions the possibility of growth and regeneration following the dissolution of the categories of nature, technology and the human.

In June of 2020 her work was exhibited at the Montréal Museum of Contemporary Art. Other recent exhibitions include group shows at Critical Distance, the University of Kentucky Art Museum, Centre Clark, Printemps Numérique, Studio XX, Leonard & Bina Ellen Gallery, and Saw Video Media Centre. Her research has been generously supported by the Berggruen Institute, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Société et culture, and the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation. Mara Eagle is represented by Projet Pangée. 

in liquid Water on a liquid Planet, the first Body was a Body. slow. gelatinous. undifferentiated. colloidal. protoplasmic. mud. i was that Body. i, you said. the second Body was a Body. yours. yours, i said. buffeted by nervous Contagion. fusion. ecstatic proliferation. osmotic ingestion. you were gelatinous. chain reaction. undifferentiated. colloidal. you were an amoebic Swarm. i remember you. you said soft and glistening. you, i said, were a rainbow Crust.

all was a hypertrophied state of surface. but Skin was not an envelope. skin was not barrier. Skin was not liminal space. Skin was Place. volcanic. tectonic. sweeping. there was no inner and no outer, only continuously churning sweeping Folds of elated and spasming Skin. a Skinthat muttered and spoke. a Skin that tingled with thoughts and Memories. it was Skin that begot the Rocks and the Oceans. the Mountains and the Rivers. the Insects and the Birds. and we, the old Souls of Song, with skin Tongues and Meat Voices sang 4 billion years of forgotten Lagoons. carpeted depths inscribed with the lurid tales of floral Mutants. meandering: our Parts spread into thickening Worlds of dream flesh

Two iridescent purple flowers with white and pink centers stand against a black background. Green leaves are partially visible at the top. In the lower left corner, two hands hold a small metallic object attached to wires and a small battery case. Compared to the scale of the hands, the flowers are oversized. Still image from That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A pale, elongated, featureless figure stands against a gray, mountainous background. The figure's head is covered in a collage of colorful butterflies and moths. In the lower right corner, two hands hold a small metallic object attached to wires and a small battery case. Still image from “Théâtre de l'Inconnu“ 2-channel HD video & sound, 13 minutes, 2020
Large, pale flowers with hints of green and pink stand against a black background. They are oversized and appear to be orchids. In the lower left, two hands hold a small metallic sculpture attached to wires and a small battery case. Still image from That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A digital artwork featuring abstract, organic shapes in various colors against a dark, textured background. The shapes appear to be intertwined and layered, with some resembling bones or limbs. Bright green highlights are visible in some areas. The overall composition is complex and layered. Still image from That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A flat-lay photograph of a display on a gray surface. Three rectangular screens with images are arranged among rocks and a dark, irregular shape. Thin, black wires connect the screens. The images on the screens include a face with pink eyes and a landscape. The lighting is dim so the screens appear illuminated. That the Earth is the Middle of the World 2
A dimly lit room features a glowing rectangular screen displaying a complex image with botanical and organic elements. Below the screen are several rectangular devices and rocks connected by wires. Two dark, rectangular benches are positioned in the foreground. Simulated installation, excerpt of That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A digital artwork shows abstract, organic shapes in various colors against a textured background. A prominent, segmented shape resembling intestines is in the center. Other shapes suggest bone-like forms. Bright green highlights and a dark, spiky form are visible. Still image from That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A dimly lit room features two large screens displaying images. The left screen shows a close up of a bright purple flower lily against a dark background. The right screen shows a limbless figure whose head-shape is wrapped in a butterfly-print. A large, black, inflatable rope-like sculpture rests in the foreground. View of “Théâtre de l’inconnu” in the exhibition “La machine qui enseignait des airs aux oiseaux” presented at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, 28 November 2020 to 4 april 2021.
A pale, elongated, featureless figure stands against a pale, pastel background with a subtle floral motif. The figure's head is covered in a collage of colorful butterflies and moths. In the lower right corner, two hands hold a small metallic sculpture attached to wires and a small battery case. Still image from “Théâtre de l'Inconnu“ 2-channel HD video & sound, 13 minutes, 2020.
A dimly lit room features two screens displaying digital art. The larger screen on the right shows a complex, abstract image with organic forms and blue highlights. The smaller screen on the left shows a glowing, silhouetted figure. Below the screens are several rectangular devices and rocks connected by wires. Two dark, rectangular benches are positioned in the foreground. Simulated installation, excerpt of That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A dimly lit room features two large screens displaying digital art. The left screen shows a pale, humanoid face with exaggerated features. The right screen shows abstract, organic forms and a white hand. Dark, silhouetted plants are in the foreground, creating a sense of depth. Simulated installation, excerpt of That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A close-up photograph of oversized pink blossoms against a black background. The flowers appear to be cherry blossoms or a similar flowering tree. Near both left and right bottom corners, a hand holds a small metallic sculpture that trails a visible wire. Still image from “Théâtre de l'Inconnu“ 2-channel HD video & sound, 13 minutes, 2020.
A digital artwork featuring a collage of fragmented images against a dark, textured background. The images appear to be of discarded electronic devices and debris. A line of stylized green flowers with yellow centers is visible across the composition. Still image from That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A close-up photograph of an oversized, pale purple hibiscus flower against a black background. The flower's  stamen is bright pink with orange tips. The image is brightly lit, highlighting the delicate petals of the flower. In the lower left, two hands reach into the scene, holding a small metallic sculpture attached to wires and a small battery case. Still image from “Théâtre de l'Inconnu“ 2-channel HD video & sound, 13 minutes, 2020.
A digital artwork featuring abstract, organic shapes in various colors against a dark, textured background. The shapes appear to be intertwined and layered, with some resembling bones or limbs. Bright green highlights are visible in some areas. The overall composition is complex and layered. Still image from That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A digital artwork shows a pale, bald humanoid head emerging from dark water against a gray, cloudy sky. The head has exaggerated features, including large eyes with black lines, green lips, and thin lines across the face. The humanoid figure appears to be submerged in the water. Still image from That the Earth is the Middle of the World, 2-channel HD video & sound, 11-minute seamless loop, 2020.
A pale, elongated, featureless figure stands against a pale, pastel background with a subtle floral motif. The figure's head is covered in a collage of colorful butterflies and moths. In the lower right corner, two hands hold a small metallic sculpture attached to wires and a small battery case. Still image from “Théâtre de l'Inconnu“ 2-channel HD video & sound, 13 minutes, 2020.
Back to top

© Concordia University