Sezen Tonguz

I come from a diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. Since my involvement with ÇATI Contemporary Dance Artists’ Association in Istanbul, later via artistic collaborations with various professionals and until recently founding (Re)union – Informal International Artists’ Network in 2015 and co-founding Co-dance Lisbon in 2017, being an active member of arts community, I believe it is important to exchange know-how, applications of good practices and understanding of formal and informal procedures that weaves the cultural texture. I strongly believe it is essential to generate new strategies to support arts professionals and to promote their ideas and projects in the right contexts for a broader visibility and interaction.

I studied contemporary dance and improvisation at ÇATI Dance Studio (Istanbul) and completed Choreographic Creation, Dance Research and Training Programme at Forum Dança (Lisbon, 2008-2009). I had the chance to practice with João Fiadeiro, Julyen Hamilton, Deborah Hay, Mustafa Kaplan, Susan Klein, Vera Mantero, Lisa Nelson, Meg Stuart and Loic Touzé among other artists. I collaborated with many artists such as Tetsuro Fukuhara, Ali Moini, Özlem Günyol&Mustafa Kunt, Anouk van Dijk, Vera Francisco, Daria Kaufman and Julia Salaroli for interdisciplinary projects. Since 2009, my works were presented in Turkey, Europe, Brasil and USA. I run international projects coordinator of (Re)union with the focus on solidarity and sustainability, aiming to support peers opening up space and time for collective practices. I also provide consultancy to emerging artists under b a z e n. I hold MA Communication and Arts and am a PhD student Artistic Studies – Art and Mediations. I continue my research and activity on artistic research and curatorial practices in performing arts.