Maya Billig


Maya Nadine Billig was born and raised in Miami, Fl, where she currently resides. Through research-based practices, she develops choreographic works for film, stage, and site-specific performances. Currently an Artist-in-Residence at The Deering Estate, she has received a Locust Projects’ Wavemakers Grant in 2019 for her interest in blending dance, film, and environmental studies. Her recent live works have been presented at the historical Kampong in Coconut Grove, Fountainhead Studios, and Art Basel Miami where she collaborates with visual artists to create multi-disciplinary experiences. Her dance films have been selected by Crosscuts (Sweden), Prisma Independent Film Awards (Rome), American Dance Festival Movies by Movers, and Screendance Miami. Besides receiving her Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance from New World School of the Arts, Maya has also trained heavily in contemporary dance, physical theater, and improvisational techniques throughout Europe, Israel, and Australia, using her travels as a primary artistic influence. Her interesting in documenting movement has led her into a photographic practice as well, often photographing dancers and performers with a focus on freezing the small, surreal moments. Commissioned by the Miami Light Project, Maya will present her next choreographic work in May of 2020 as a part of the Here and Now 2020 program.

February 24th, 2020:

"The visual does not have all the information."

Somatic marking. Oof, what a concept. To recognize the infinite layers of embodied knowledge that are occurring and colliding at any given moment. But realizing that it is through this marking that we can tap into greater and more distilled presence. Memory and information existing in all parts beyond the visual.

As a person who is naturally overwhelmed by their senses quite often, I found the mapping of the senses vivid and at times, intimidating. Freedom can be frightening. If I fall too far down a hole, will I ever come back? When in this sensitive state, it is almost as if I feel as though I am operating on a different dimension. At one point, a person stopped me in my tracks and told me a pick-up line. Perhaps sense of humor can be found in moments where seemingly different dimensions collide. Laughter is the shivers of the soul.

I fell in love with my map.


A notable part of my solo exploration was when I managed to collect 5 police who began watching me closely. The surveillance began to make me feel as though I was doing something wrong. I was approached by one. My experience become one layered with anxiety. I wasn't as relaxed and I couldn't help but feel how they continued to watch me no matter what I did. This goes back to the layers of a space. My space shifted dramatically through the presence of the police. 

As my partner took me on their "cooked experience," I discovered a sensorial intimacy where I felt as though I got as close as possible to seeing through someone else's eyes. The 5 visual points, in particular, felt like gifts. Thank you.

February 25th, 2020: