Introduction to the METAMOOD Issue

❋ What is a community? What is a community for? What makes a community different from a family, or a circle of friends, or a scene? ❋

I have strong ideas about what makes a community distinct from other kinds of groups. You may have yours. When I suggested a joint Metatron x In the MoodTM event to launch my book, Wavering Futures, I had no clear image of what would transpire, only gratitude that not only was this idea received with enthusiasm by Ashley, it was also, coincidentally, being proposed by Sennah and Gabrielle at the same time.

What I saw: families, friends, a scene, and to my surprize, what I would describe as the nascent contours of a community. It’s those in-between spaces, areas you cannot easily draw boundaries around, that can be the most exciting and revealing. True; false; both; neither.

Alright, here’s one distinction: I rarely ask friends and family or the scenes I’m involved with for assistance, least of all material support. But I am the opposite in communities. For this joint METAMOOD series, I asked. We received far more than I expected. I received far more than I expected.

❋ How do we face the future together? ❋

It’s clear from both events that we are grappling with the struggles of the present, consumed by them, such that it is difficult to look ahead, let alone feel any hope. And yet, the mood in both cities was buoyant, defiant. We chose to believe in art in spite of everything. We chose to show up.

❋ Are you looking to be seen? What does it mean to be seen? ❋

We prohibited phones and photos. For a respite from watching and being watched. For a call to listen with attentiveness. We extended this invitation to perceive each other, unmediated and unmonitored. 

While we didn’t take pics of the readings, we kept the words. And we’re honoured to share some of them with you here.

- Kawai Shen, Curator

June 26, 2026

METAMOOD was a two-part reading series and book launch for Wavering Futures, organized by Metatron Press, In the Mood Magazine, and Kawai Shen, and held in Toronto at It’s OK* and Montréal at Parquette on May 17 and June 7, 2026, respectively. These events featured activities, a collective discussion (in Toronto), and works on the theme of “the future” by Alex Manley, Eli Tareq El Bechelany-Lynch, Gabrielle Marceau, Kate Brooks, Katia Lo Innes, Kawai Shen, Lee Suksi, Marcela Huerta, Nirris Nagendrarajah, Ryan Akler-Bishop, Sennah Yee, and Trynne Delaney. The events also served as fundraisers for Grassy Narrows First Nation and Mouvement transféministe. This is an imperfect archive of what transpired.

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