ABOUT ALPER AKÇAY
I was born in 1977 in Istanbul, where i still currently live. I graduated from Istanbul Bilgi University, the Department of Visual Communication Design and completed my master’s degree at the same department and school. During my post-graduate education, I worked as a research assistant, at the Photo and Video department at the same university. In addition to my education in Visual Communication, i have improved myself in the fields of movement and dance through workshops and contemporary dance schools. I have had trainings in improvisation, body, movement, ethnic-traditional dances, massage and basic anatomy. Since 2003, I have been involved with multidisciplinary projects; and collaborating with other artists in nationally and internationally. I am also a member of Istanbul Contemporary Theatre and Experimental Art Society Association and Unesco International Dance Council CID.
In recent years, I have been creating my own visual and performance projects integrating traditional and contemporary approaches. I have been greatly inspired by Sufi and Bektashi sacred rituals and dance movement traditions in my authentic whirling performances. Beside all, I am involved in the projects of personation, acting, living statue, and alternative dance performances in national and international projects&festivals.
Not so often but I like to organize gatherings which brings variety of people together under the wings of interdisciplinary art, sacred culture of sufi tradition and healing.I also give many workshops and individual body therapy session as well. You can search about more details in this website
Despite my close relationships with many musicians in many genres, for the moment, I mostly improvise with some musical instruments and my own voice as well.I like singing hymns, mantras and sacred songs.I enjoy playing my instruments of singing bowl, tuning forks, mouth harp, framedrum and Çeng. I also use electronic music and sound recording tehnologies in my installation projects.
