Definitivamente amo / el escándalo deslumbrante de la vida—Francisca Aguirre.

Hi, I’m Montana.

I teach writing, translation, and archival inquiry at NYU, where I am faculty in the Translation Studies Minor. I translate photographs of poetic and actual ancestors into new 35mm film portraits; book a photoplay with me, here. I also translate from Spanish and Portuguese, most recently the films and fotonovelas of Brazilian artist Yhuri Cruz, and write in several genres. My first book of concrete poetry, (guns & butter), was described by Cathy Park Hong as a mix of “Apollinaire with Pam Grier.” I also write archival-driven nonfiction blending art criticism and family history; and my piece on Tropicália meets bellehood in Brazil won a NYFA finalist award.

Last but not least I have a dual MFA in poetry and translation and a PhD in comparative literature from Columbia University. In addition to my nerdery, I have soft skills and love chatting with people from many places and perspectives: montana.ray@nyu.edu.