Dance Lab Resident 2024-2025

“My name is Mira Göksel (they/them) and I am an interdisciplinary movement artist from Izmir, Turkey, currently existing on the land of the Massachusett and Pawtucket Peoples, colonially referred to as Boston, MA. I am a Choreographer, Educator, Rehearsal Director, casual painter, and a cat mom. I strive for creation rooted in emotional, physical, and social instincts working hand in hand for the most organic outcome in all tenses of creation. I will forever commit to the nurturing of an inclusive space with an investment in mutual support, respect and harmony.

I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my work at skewl (NY), BAAD! (NY), WESTFEST (NY), WiP by MELLE (MA), Mobius (MA), ArtBeat (MA), and Boston Conservatory at Berklee (MA), with additional support and showcases through Residencies with Urbanity X (MA) and Choreography Project Rhode Island (RI). As an educator, I teach with Abilities Dance Boston, Movement Meets through Urbanity Dance Center, BalletRox, as a Guest Short Series teacher with Midday Movement Series, and create space for “play” and exploration alongside Olivier Besson as co-coordinators for both interdisciplinary improvisational jam PLAYSPACE, and interdisciplinary improvisational showcase Moment’s Notice. As project support, I have worked as Rehearsal Director for Laila J. Franklin, Simon Montalvo, Daniel Pelzig, and Maria Bauman/faculty rehearsal director Leslie Koval for the resetting of Shelter by Jowola Willa Zolar. I am a graduate of the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, holding a BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance with an emphasis in Composition.”

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Project Statement

Lokma (kronolojikal displays of celebration, from birth to grief) is a three part, evening length multidisciplinary/dance piece that explores Turkish and Islamic traditions for observing and honoring stereotypically significant milestones in life; ie. birth, unions of love, and death. The research for Lokma is heavily concentrated in knowledge passed down almost solely through word of mouth. Through conversations over tea with elders, family members, old neighbors, and the occasional digital search to debunk intense superstitions; Lokma is about the strength and expression of community as love. With consideration that Turkish culture expands and owes much to beyond the land that is now modern day Turkey, credit is due to overlapping generational understandings, customs, and norms of the countries and people of Kurdistan, SouthWest Asia/North Africa (SWANA), the Caucasus, and Mediterranean.

The last section of Lokma (pt.3) is the celebration of death, burial, and mourning. How we water graves, tend to loved ones experiencing grief, and the lifelong customs we follow to honor beyond the grave.

 

*Lokma is a warm, syrup drenched, donut-like dessert that is passed out to commemorate death. 

pt.1 (birth) and pt.2 (love and marriage) of Lokma were made possible with support from ArtBeat 2024, Urbanity X Residency 2024, and Choreography Project RI 2024.