Two Guianese artists, T2i and NouN, are taking their artistic vision centered around a mythical figure from French Guiana on an international journey across the Americas. From Montreal to New York, and then to Salvador da Bahia, their creation 'Manman Dilo' continues to evolve through dialogue with various cultures throughout the continent.
Since 2022, T2i and NouN have been exploring the legend of Manman Dilo, a half-woman, half-fish character from Guianese folklore. Their artistic approach, enriched by hip-hop aesthetics and collaborations with 35 artisans and various craftspeople, offers a reinterpretation of this myth. The character is sometimes portrayed as malevolent in western Guiana, while other times appearing benevolent in stories from the Roura region.
"We have reworked this character who reveals herself as benevolent according to what the gangans of Roura tell about her, while in the West she is described as malevolent and dangerous. We wanted to propose another perspective, a powerful, benevolent, divine and imposing figure in public space," the artists explain.
This reinterpretation is now taking on an international dimension. Their journey begins in Canada with ten days dedicated to prospecting and professional meetings to pave the way for a future presentation of Manman Dilo in Montreal. "We are going to Canada for ten days to start, doing prospecting and professional meetings to be able to bring Manman Dilo to Montreal soon," T2i and NouN specify.
The duo will then continue their journey to New York for the inauguration of the collective exhibition 'Amazonia Açu' at the Americas Society, located in the heart of Central Park. For this exhibition, they serve as both artists and curators. Ten Amazonian countries are represented, including French Guiana through T2i, NouN, and Johan Amira.
After the United States, the duo will travel to Rio as part of Foto Rio, where they will present part of their exhibition at the Federal Justice Cultural Center alongside other Guianese photographers in the collective exhibition 'Soleil noir' (Black Sun).
However, it is especially in Salvador da Bahia that their approach will take on new significance. "The stop in Salvador was one of the most significant for us. What could be the Brazilian equivalent of Manman Dilo, Yemanja, is omnipresent in public space. In Guiana, we talk little about it; it's an almost absent figure," they explain.
Hosted in residency by the Pivô artist house, T2i and NouN will conduct month-long research exploring the connections between Manman Dilo and Yemanja. "We want to cross our perspectives, bring out similarities and differences, but especially the common Afro-ancestral heritage," they state.
This confrontation nourishes a broader reflection on universal issues. "In our very Amazonian environment, we can address subjects like the relationship with the environment, the position of women, or the Afro-descendant heritage," the artists note.
For the two artists, this journey is not just a geographical displacement, but a way to broaden the symbolic field of Manman Dilo. "We have evolved, matured, particularly in our spiritual relationship as Afro-descendants in the Americas and in Guiana," they confide.
From Guiana to major American metropolises, their creation continues to weave connections between myths, territories, and heritage, affirming the place of Amazonian Guianese art in global cultural dialogue.
