RARA: Reweaving Diasporic Futures

Set at The Clark Centre for The Arts, nestled amidst ancient trees and overlooking the serene lake in picturesque Scarborough, experience multidisciplinary dance artist Blessyl Buan's work-in-progress showing of "RARA: Reweaving Diasporic Futures," two days after the summer solstice. A brief Artist Q&A session will follow.

We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario for their support.

Artist Bio

Blessyl Buan, is a contemporary dancer, choreographer, and visual artist. With a background in Kinesiology and Chiropractic, her artistry is enhanced by a heightened kinesthetic intelligence. Her process explores Philippine Indigenous traditions, joy, and cultural identity. Her short film "Rara" featured in Danceworks Summer Reel 2023. With an Ontario Arts Council grant, Blessyl is developing a solo dance for 2024. She'll also lead "Weaving Futures" for the Toronto Arts Council's Artist in the Library Program. "Kapwa Kaleidoscope," her solo exhibition, will be at The Clark Centre for the Arts, where she's artist-in-residence. She is a mother of four.

Artist Statement

"Rara", is the weaving of a banig, (a woven Philippine mat). This contemporary dance solo is inspired by my weaving lineages that were disrupted by generations of colonialism and migration. My interest in neo-ethnic dance was piqued after watching “Igorota” (choreography: Agnes Locsin, Ballet Philippines, 2000) and dancing with Hataw Performing Arts (2014-2016). My practice plans to validate the Philippine diaspora as authentic caretakers of culture.

Narrative

In a dimly lit space, a banig lies lifeless, its colours faded, a symbol of lost tradition. Blessyl awakes, embodying the ancient lineage she seeks to revive. Inspecting the banig, she discovers ruptures in its weave, symbols of a fractured connection to her heritage prompting a quest for restoration.

Desperate to mend this divide, she invokes her ancestors, seeking their guidance to mend the fractured weave. Through gestures in Baybayin and the harvesting of pandan, she forges a new path, weaving a a new narrative, bridging tradition with innovation.

With each stitch, she reclaims her identity, embodying "Lakas ng Loob" - the knowledge of inner power and the strength of her lineage. As she integrates the old and the new, symbols of her heritage dance upon her body, a testament to her resilience.

In gratitude, she bids farewell to her ancestors, stepping into her role as an empowered weaver, ready to pass on pride and agency to future generations. She is integrated and initiated in her connection to Kapwa, ready to embrace her destiny as a guardian of culture and a beacon of hope.