Repertoire
"Imaj"
by Seda Aybay (2011)
"IMAJ”
a futuristic look into a where everyone is narcissist,
disconnected from each other. Uncontrollable
circumstances push different characters for a
transformation where some found the roots of humanity
while the others got to be swept away.
"SIMA" by Seda Aybay (2010)
At one
point of life we all hit that place where everything
is dark, meaningless and empty. Feelings are broken
into pieces, rioting inside, pulling us in different
directions. We get into such deep struggles, we hit
the bottom sometimes giving up life. Strangely, at
that moment, an acceptance of complete emptiness,
silence, can be a new beginning.
SIMA is a collaboration of dance and multi-media expression
of a personal experience. The piece is being created from
the psychological journey of one woman performed by 5
female dancers portraying different emotions, sides, faces.
"La Vida Loca"
by Seda Aybay (2009)
"La Vida
Loca" energetically fun and athletic movement
vocabulary combined with portray of different
personalities created through short vignettes from
life carried to stage. The ironic personality of each
character highlights the joys of life, yet hints at
what is often lost in ones' daily routine
"Dreamcatcher"
by Seda Aybay (2008)
Dreamcatcher
is a multi-media performance “Exploring the
suspension of the conscious mind, the piece navigates
the momentum of the human psyche somewhere between
dream and reality. The athletic contemporary modern
vocabulary is designed around different dimensions,
representing the body, mind and soul working with and
against each other.”
"SEMA" by Seda
Aybay (2008)
Inspired by
one of the most famous Turkish artist's work, "Sema"
offers insight into Sufism through the philosophical
aspects and ceremonial rituals of the Whirling
Dervishes of Turkey.
"O" by Seda
Aybay (2007)
"O"
(s/he/it, 3rd person in Turkish) is a solo piece about
losing someone and questioning the one's own believe.
Umbrella symbolizes the hovering, protection power,
which we as humans sometimes refuses because of the
extreme life experiences. Even though we think that we
can pull away, it is always going to be there with us.
"Sesler" by Seda
Aybay (2007)
"sesler"
(voices/sounds synonymous of the word Seda in Turkish)
is inspired by Seda Aybay's own hunted memories of
life choices, mystics, shames, fears and guilts. It's
a journey of self-acceptance and forgiveness to find
and inner peace.
"$irket" by Seda
Aybay (2007)
"$irket"
depicts the fine line between sanity and insanity as
defined by mechanic, repetitive, and mundane work
requirements of an office job. The ironic cruelty and
madness of each character not only purposes to
entertain the audience, but also confronts and awakens
their consciousness through the portrayal of
sacrificed human feelings, senses and joy of life for
a simple title, position, promotion and/or money.
"Istanbul
Hatiralari" by Seda Aybay (2007)
"Istanbul
Hatiralari" is a works in progress piece constructed
through short life stories and memories of Istanbul.
"NAR in memory
of Ataturk" by Seda Aybay (2006-2007)
"NAR in
memory of Ataturk" is a 50 minute visual and dance
performance inspired by the memory of Turkey's
greatest leader, Ataturk. As an activist of her
generation, choreographer Aybay takes the audience on
a journey through Turkish history, culture, and
Philosophy by artfully designing movement centered on
determination of Ataturk's life.
"VEDA" by Seda
Aybay (2006)
"VEDA" is a
32 minutes piece inspired by the incresing popularity
of Latin music and dance forms in present-day Turkey,
Aybay portrays different aspects of "brokenness". The
new work captures the desire to fit in with the crowd
yet keep one's identity, individuality, and uniqueness
within an ever-changing society. The Los Angeles Times
noted "Seda Aybay went her own way, focusing her
artful quartet 'Veda' on partnering: As each couple
danced, you seemed to be watching a summary of a
complex relationship swiftly, lightly impressed upon
your consciousness."
"Hopes and
Dreams" by Seda Aybay (2005)
"Hopes and
Dreams" (Adak): Full scale, 70 minute performance of
spoken word and dance. Individuals strive to attain
their wishes of health, love, happiness, success, and
material desires. Through an innovative approach,
Aybay offers a modern perspective to an old Turkish
tradition of scribing wishes onto a red scarf and
affixing them to a tree. The red scarf serves as a
bridge between past and contemporary thought. Though
each dancer's wish is eventually fulfilled, this piece
is not about fulfillment. It explores through movement
the unavoidable and sometimes crushing struggle
inherent in attaining one's desires.
"Elements" by
Seda Aybay (2005)
A mosaic
created through the different qualities and the
delicate balance of air, fire, water and earth which
is vital for human life.
"4 Seasons" by
Seda Aybay (2005)
The
interplay of everyday people who interact in a city
park evolves through passing seasons and years.
"Beginnings...friendships...crossroads...youth...
Heat...sensuality...wishes...fun...
Expectations...love...mystery...coincidence...
Motherhood...guidance...loss...endless cycles..."
“Awakening on a Spring Morning” : An 8 minute
uplifting group piece filled with visual images of park
scenes from "4 Seasons" was inspired by French paintings of
spring gatherings and picnics. The piece is danced to
nostalgic melodies of famous Chansons by Edith Piaff, such
as “La Foul” & “Sur Le Pont de
Paris,” and portions of the original soundtrack of
“Amelie” by Yann Tiersen.
“Silent Reach Out in a Lonely Winter” : The 5
minute duet from "4 Seasons" was created with the idea of
angels coming down to earth and hovering over lonely souls
like gentle snow. The piece is performed to its original
music "Lullaby," composed and performed by Andreja
Smokvina.
"The Purpose of
Life" by Seda Aybay (2004)
The search for the meaning or purpose of life through
different cultural, religious and philosophical aspects is
portrayed by 3 female dancers over 25 minutes.
"Kosem Sultan"
by Seda Aybay (2004)
This is a
reconstruction of a historical character taken from
Ottoman Empire, represent political, cultural and
traditional roles of women residing in palaces and
Harem, a term used to describe the room where all the
wives of the Sultan congregate. Through the revealing
story of "Kosem Sultan", who is recognized as one of
the most important queens of Ottoman Empire. Women's
issues between the past and the present that emphasize
the male gaze, the importance of virginity, and the
power of beauty.
Full story is 35min. work performed by 20 dancers. It can
be only performed with advanced notice. However, some of
the solos and small group pieces from the story are
available to be performed independently even within short
notice. See the info below.
“Dance of Harem” : A 6 minute group piece from
“Kosem Sultan” performed with long floating,
colorful shawls, as an introduction to a fantasy world of
Harem. Ethnic dance vocabulary blended into modern world
with the help of same kind of musical aspect performed by
Sertab Erener’s song “Masal” from her
album “LAL”
“Surgun” : A 3 minutes solo turns into a short
duet, from “Kosem Sultan” performed by female
dancers describing the pain and the sadness, loneliness of
being send away by a loved one. Music is by Sebnem Ferah
“Yagmur” .
“Cry” : A 4 minutes solo piece, from
“Kosem Sultan” is performed by a female dancer.
It is about mourning, crying after a lost love to the
Turkish music by Sertab Erener, “Yara” from her
album “Sertab Gibi”
"1001 Gecenin
Oteki Yuzu" (The Other Side of 1001 Night Tales) by Seda
Aybay (2003)
A story of a Turkish woman and her extreme relationships
with others shaped by the boundaries of tradition and
religion. Through multiple stories woven together, such as
mother and daughter relationships, religious pressure,
marital traditions, rules of society for women, and
unspoken domestic violence, Seda Aybay presents the tragic
sides of traditional lives which were at times admirable,
at others cruel, and sometimes violent.
"At the beginning it was like the famous stories of "1001
Night Tales", where everything ends with happiness, and
marriages celebrated through elaborate parties. Delving
deeper, I found the other, darker side of these stories.
They were reflections of traditions as well as sets of
rules of social roles in which people's lives become
miserable or even ended tragically as a result of rules and
limitations of traditions."
Full story is 40min. work performed by 17 dancers. It can
be only performed with advanced notice. However, some of
the pieces from the story can be performed independently
even within short notice. See the info below.
“Mother & Daughter” : A minute duet, from
“1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu”, revealing the
closeness of restricted relations between mother and
daughter in a traditional family setting, where love,
respect, and obeying is the structure. Music is taken from
one of the famous Turkish singers; Sezen Aksu’s album
“Isik Dogudan Yukselir” – “Ud
Taksim”
“Lost” : Solo piece from “1001 Gecenin
Oteki Yuzu”, portraying the pain and the struggle of
a female character pushed by the traditional rules. The
traditional song “Bingol” is taken from Kardes
Turkuler’s album “Dogu”.
“Floating Thoughts” : Three and a half minutes
long duet from “1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu”, about
two oppositional thoughts fighting over leaving or staying.
Music is taken from one of the famous Turkish singers;
Sezen Aksu, performed by herself and Levent Yuksel.
“Ceremony” : A re-creation of Whirling Dervish
Ceremony, after extended research and meetings with
Dervishes in Istanbul, Turkey. A 7 minutes group piece from
“1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu”, is performed by
female dancers accompanied by a soprano soloist vocalizing
“Yenilige Dogru” from the album “Isik
Dogudan Yukselir”.