PROJECT

YU

YU is an expanded performance on the research for organic wisdom by fasci(a)nated attention in a visceral garden(*). This research would not be about what visceral organs are; but about the complex correlations of organs towards the life. Organic wisdom is about the sensation of life with reference to the existence of visceral organs. As fasci(a)neted attention expands the awareness towards the ambiguity between the in and out; the visible and invisible; the material (fleshy) and immaterial (energetic); the performer traces ways for sensing, affecting and moving the body with this archaic, organic and spontaneous wisdom which the visceral organs constantly offer to the life.

This work is an attempt for a provocative and productive way of thinking about body, and life; the electromagnetic spheres all hearts/intestines/ stomachs resonate with, affect, meaning, reality and life. Silence and darkness welcome the unseen and unhearable presence of deep-in-side of the body. With/in the silence of the muscular ground, it may be time for the organs to dance, shake and vibrate the world!

(*) Organic wisdom is a concept proposed by the artist on the archaic, organic and spontaneous wisdom which the visceral organs constantly offer to the life. Fasci(a)nated attention is discovered by the composition of the words of ‘fascia’ (anatomical word in Latin) and ‘fascinated’. This concept is about the awareness of body towards the temporalities, spatialities and corporealities. Expanded performance is proposed by the artist in order to emphasize the collaboration of performance and cinema in a dialogue with expanded cinema.

Gizem Aksu

1987 TR
Gizem Aksu is independent choreographer, dancer and academic based in Istanbul. She graduated from Department of Political Science&International Relations, Bosphorus University and Department of Contemporary Dance,Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University with honor degrees. She continues both Proficiency in Art Programme and works as an academic there. She gives workshops “How the Landscape My Body is?”, “Daily Rituals for Rebellion”, “Organic Wisdom” and bodily awareness workshops for LGBTQI+ people. In addition to her artistic work, she is an art critic and her writings and articles are being published in http://mimesis-dergi.org/.

As as a dancer and choreographer, she has participated into several festivals, residency programmes and quadriennial in Belgium, Crotia, Canada, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Portugal, United Arab Emirates and Turkey. She has worked with renowned choreographers; Aakash Odedra (UK), Ann Van den Broek (Ward/ward) (BE), Aydın Teker (TR), Marc Vanruxt (BE), Sharon Hayes(US), Tijen Lawton (BE), Tuğçe Tuna (TR). Recently, wile she is working on her new project Political Imaginaries, she is performing her last solo work YU in Belgium and Turkey, she is touring #Jesuis in the world with Aakash Odedra Company (UK) and performing Hallo! by Aydın Teker in Europe.

Credits

Concept, direction & performance: Gizem AksuScenography advice: Meryem BayramLighting design: Utku KaraProduction: Platform 0090Supported by: APAP, Ciplak Ayaklar Studio