Dr.Selçuk Goldere, Head of Dance department, Hacettepe University. He graduated as an actor from Theatre Department-Acting Maindivision of Ankara University. He has worked as a dancer and choreographer in between the years 2000 and 2009 in Ankara State Opera and Ballet-Modern Dance Department/MDT. He has taught some of the main theatre and dance courses like dramatic and epic acting, stage, physical acting skills, dance techiniques and choreography for contemporary dance at Çanakkale OnsekizMart University in Çanakkale, Anadolu University in Eskişehir, Hacettepe University Ankara state Concervatorium in Ankara, State Folk Dance Ensemble in Ankara and Ankara University State Concervatorium and Theatre Department in Ankara. He is still working over new projects and also teaching modern/contemporary dance techniques, solo dance, choroegraphy-dance composition skills in Hacettepe University Ankara State Concervatorium as a ‘associate prof of dr. He is still working as an art partner of Goethe Institut of Ankara and he is also working new dance projects in a small company which is called 7 Plus. Recently, Quarter II of Sapphire Quarterly, Arts Series, Edition XXII, gave the City of Joy a peek into the world of contemporary dance, held at Max Mueller Bhawan, the evening saw the dancers of Sapphire Creations Dance Troupe in collaboration with Selcuk Goldere from Turkey present Lupto: The Last Ride. Abhijit Ganguly spoke to Selçuk Goldere
How did your tryst with dance happen?
When I was a small boy I had a dream dancing on the stage. And then I started folkdancing. When I was at the University (chemistry engineer). I had a contemporary dance classes. And classical ballet classes. When I finished university I wanted to be a dancer and choreographer!
How has dance changed over the last 20 years? Dance is your career. Is it a career you would encourage others to follow? Why or whynot?
Dance coming from our cultures but some school says that you have to learn my culture not your culture…but especially European and American schools of dance opened their doors to East cultures…..because they have theories of dance but not original material except from their individuals… but some of my cultural background makes my being living and original …Times for going back to the cultures back again after 70ies…but 80ies and 90ies are really affected by technology and individuals also follows it. After 2000…contemporary dance is the number one in the total art fields for me….because you don’t need any literal stories or native languages if you communicate with your audience with your bodies and with your beings.
How does a live dance performance communicate a story better than TV, movies or a book?
Live performance organized a time and space like what it is…no make up, no copy-paste…that is why you can follow every seconds in real time and in real space…..creates his own form and structure with audience together….
What are your thoughts on Indian classical dance?
I love Indian classical dance… it is a big culture…I learn so much when I just look at it. Singing and dancing creates an aura which can not be found in west theatre tradition. It is not only dance but it is a kind of life form-you can learn also without talking and explaining it!!!
In your opinion should dance be taught in schools (why or why not?)
No…not in schools but in centers like ….by some dance gurus!...otherwise people will forget how to dance and what dance means in the future…
Contributing Writer, Abhijit Ganguly, is an extensively published journalist based in Kolkata, India. His stories cover the global arts scene and the fusion arts movement with the culture and art of India. Ganguly’s work includes personal interviews with world renowned dance troupes, film directors, fine artists, sculptors, as well as jazz, hip hop and classical musicians. He is known for presenting an inside view of the artist's craft and what motivates their creativity. Ganguly also delves into the artist's take on what a young person in Kolkata can learn from each artist, so that the youth of the city can learn to master these skills.