About CM Collective
CM Collective is an experimental partnership between performer and poetess Claudia Borri, and multi-disciplinary artist Marie Nova. Both women explore performance art, video and photography in their practices. The collective always strives to expand by giving platform to new voices and creative collaborations.
Claudia Borri
Claudia Borri, born 9/11/1996 in Turin (To), is a dancer,choreographer, singer and poet residing in Milan.Since the age of 5 she approached the world of dance starting with the study of ballet and then opening up to the world ofmodern and heels until she obtained the Regional Diploma of Professional Dancer contemporary address at Dancehaus in Milan.
She first worked as a dancer for choreographers such as Susanna Beltrami, Matteo Bittante, Stefano Fardelli, then began her career as a teacher and trainer for academic auditions (Teatro Carcano and Scala in Milan), and in parallel her personal choreographic research until she staged "Space of Hearts", an end of course show, at Teatro Pime in Milan.
Currently on stage with the musical "Dolcemente Complicate," for which she also took care of the choreographic part, in Milan she collaborates with fashion and entertainment agencies. She is the author of the poetry collection "Quando nessuno vede," published in March 2021 and presented at the Turin Book Fair in 2022 and currently on stage with a performance inspired by the collection of the same name whose premiere took place at the Matalon Foundation in Milan in October 2023.
Among the latest projects he has choreographed and danced on include: Mykonos Biennial 2023 with a video project entitled "Regeneration”, music video “John Gotti” by Lacrim/Baby Gang, music video “Il mio giusto momento” by Lorenzo Licitra.
Please see full Claudia Borri’s CV here or read her latest interview here.
Photo Silvia Milanesi
Marie Nova
Marie Nova is an innerdisciplinary artist, who is primarily known for her collage work that tackles a variety of themes, among them feminism and climate change, all through a glamorous yet ironic lens. Her recent focus has since shifted to film photography and art performance.
Marie is originally from Russia, but has immigrated to Canada at the age of 15 (year 2007) and studied art at Bishop Ridley College (Ontario, Canada). Later (year 2010) she has received her artistic education at Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts (United Kingdom).
Born in 1992 in Sovietskiy - a small Siberian town – Marie has always drawn inspiration from Slavic culture and complex Soviet heritage. Recent events has driven her to explore artistic practices in a new light.
Her recent achievements include participation in internationally acclaimed exhibitions like NYC art walk (NY), Women (NY), KUNST (Berlin) and Just Women (Milan & Paris upcoming). She has received an honorary Refresh Art Award (United Kingdom) and was featured as a digital talent in Grazia Italy. Her work has been on the covers of Room magazine, Gasher Journal and East by Northeast Literary Magazine.
Marie is currently residing between Rīga and Milan, and is available for travel.
Please see Marie Nova’s full exhibition list here.
Photo Irina Tascheva
Previous Projects
Ara Lumiere : #VictoryOverViolence
Marie Nova has involved Claudia Borri in her recent photography series for a fashion brand Ara Lumiere. Ara Lumiere gives a platform for women who have survived acid attacks and domestic violence in India. Marie has photographed different women with diverse cultural backgrounds that stood in solidarity with the survivors, all in the same shirt by the brand.
Ara Lumiere made a special collection which was presented during Milan Fashion Week (2022) , where the unique prints were showcased. “Victory Over Violence” is an ongoing print for the brand that represents many feelings for all the contrasting characters Marie has photographed on film.
The final project was exhibited at Adi Museum, during ‘The Unbound’ performance, on Septemeber 24th 2022 during Milan Fashion Week.
You can watch a 10 second clip about the project here.
Medusa : Art Performance & Video (ongoing)
Medusa is a conceptual art performance project that is choreographed by Claudia Borri and is performed by Marie Nova. It takes inspiration from the iconic homonymous poetry piece by Sylvia Plath.
Originally Sylvia Plath explored her complicated relationship with her mother in Medusa. Marie Nova contextually spins the idea of a mother (parent) to motherland (your birth country), and under influential guidance of Claudia Borri builds a performance that represents her current emotional state of mind.
The final piece will be filmed by Slovenian photographer and art curator Slavica Veselinovich, and the music piece is in the works by the Uzbek musician Sabine Dust.
The video above is filmed during training. This an ongoing project.
Proposal Birds of Passage
“Borders”
The Idea
Both Claudia and Marie wished to expand their vision from personal projects to something that can reflect bigger communities than their own. After extensive research and brainstorm, they have agreed to explore the issue of borders, both tangible and non-tangible. From a small scale borders (limits) we put onto ourselves on a nuclear level (private, family etc) to global (actual, tangible borders). Although the research is ongoing, some art references have been found and reviewed.
‘Borders’ both existent and non-existent first occur in our minds, and it is the constant judgment we carry onto others and onto ourselves. Investigating such boundaries led to a logical conclusion to first create a poetry piece that would mirror and manifest the idea. Thus, giving a new meaning to the idea that is both personal and political. Naturally, Claudia has written the first draft and will go through the revision as the project continues.
The final piece is meant to be an art performance , choreographed by Claudia and performed by both Claudia and Marie, applying their skills in both performance, stage and video. The artists are open to collaborations and involving other performers or artists who are inspired to work with the body and voice on stage.
Throughout the research, the artistic idea of the roots and the continuity of the past and the future was also engaged. Both artists hope that during the residency themes like empowerment and diversity can reach a stage of maturity. With the help of other artists, collaborations and resources the representation of the difference between the world of yesterday and the future can be achieved.
References
The Poem
what is inside our
skin
shouldn't be a
cage
instead flowers ready to
bloom
from little to big
our shame of
living
grows;
we remain in those
gray areas
denying us pleasure
because we were not born
in that box
fear
veil of maya
building mind’s fences
trying to fit in other people’s world
jump from that
poolside of labels
illusions of belonging
opinions
sharp as blades
raining on me
your tongue,
like the sea,
comes direct and surly;
but once you
immerse yourself
it embraces you
transports you
connecting you with the world
so you can explore it
moving through life
lie an animal hunting
like a child playing with colours
like leaves dancing in the wind
free from judgment