conversations in ten questions 74: Muhammed Kaltuk (Company MEK)

© Laura Gauch

Muhammed Kaltuk was born and raised in a conservative Turkish family in Switzerland. After completing his secondary education, he studied medicine and then, at the age of 25, enrolled at the Zurich School of Contemporary and Urban Stage Dance to pursue his passion and dream of a professional career in dance. After making a name for himself in the Swiss hip-hop scene and at major international competitions such as World of Dance, Kaltuk has worked with companies, institutions and festivals such as Theater Basel, Dampfzentrale Bern, Kaserne Basel, Tanzhaus Zurich, Theater Luzern, Theater St. Gallen, Gauthier Dance Company (COLORS Festival), Theater der Jungen Welt Leipzig, Theater Plauen/Zwickau and Breakthrough Festival Zurich. In 2017, Kaltuk founded and became artistic director of Company MEK, which oscillates between hip hop and contemporary dance, cultural and dance traditions, and known and new methods. 

Kaltuk creates his works by composing and designing with materials from the dancers' movement repertoire, taking the dancers beyond their own limits and intertwining this with his own dance material and aesthetic ideas about dance. 

Father Politics, which will be premiered by Company MEK in Istanbul on 22nd - 23rd December 2023 at the Cemal Reşit Rey Concert Hall, is a work that focuses on "the states of powerlessness that politics can make people feel who are not part of the system or who are marginalised". 

Now we give the floor to Muhammed Kaltuk, nicknamed "Muhi", himself to get to know him better and to get some first-hand information about Father Politics. 

What is the essence of performance in your opinion? 

In my view, the significance of a performance lies in its ability to reveal realities, give a voice to those who are often silenced, and directly challenge power structures. Emotions translated into movements have the potential to touch audiences in new ways, inspiring both reflection and contemplation.

Do you believe in the transformative power of art? How? 

I firmly believe in the transformative power of art. It has personally changed, shaped, and strengthened me. Art allows me to address various perspectives and bring visibility to realities. I firmly believe that movements cannot hurt anyone, but words sometimes can.

When you are working on a piece, what sources inspire you? Do dreams play a role in your pieces?

My inspiration is drawn from life situations and emotions. Dance serves as a filter for me to navigate the world. Collaborators, including dancers, musicians, and set designers, play a crucial role. Their diverse talents and perspectives continually inspire and influence my work. Additionally, my dreams of the future motivate me to keep working towards my goals.

When do you decide to give a title to a piece you are working on if it already does not have one?

The decision to give a title to a piece often comes with the inception of the core idea. Sometimes, a title emerges as the piece evolves. With Father Politics, I had the title in mind from the beginning, feeling it perfectly encapsulated the essence of the work.

Are there any artist or person whom you think influenced your art most? And if there is such an artist or person, who?

Aside from personal experiences, individuals like Nina Simone, Stromae, and Germaine Acogny have been significant influences on both my personal and artistic growth. As Nina Simone aptly said, "It's an artist's duty to reflect the times in which we live." 

When you consider the current state of the world in every sense, what is the most important and urgent issue for you as an artist? 

In times like these, it is crucial for me as an artist to reflect the time through my art. Addressing important issues and creating diverse perspectives are essential, along with self-reflection and humanity.

At the age of 25, long after you had become well known in the Swiss hip- hop scene, you enrolled at the Höhere Fachschule für Zeitgenössischen und Urbanen Bühnentanz in Zurich to study dance. Why did you need to do that?

Enrolling in the Höhere Fachschule für Zeitgenössischen und Urbanen Bühnentanz in Zurich at the age of 25 was driven by my desire for further education and skill enhancement. The school taught me conceptual and stylistic versatility, shaping my ability to work with different dance forms. It helped me also to lern how to write Konzepts and let me learn to describe my mind and dance.

In the introduction of your piece Father Politics it is wricen that it “deals with the powerlessness that politics can make people who are not part of the system or who are marginalised feel.” As someone who comes from the alternative stance of street dance and hip-hop, it is not surprising that you have dealt with this issue in your work, and it is also very accurate. Could you tell us a licle bit about the creation of Father Politics?

Father Politics originated from a jam session inspired by Stromae's song Batard. The powerful lyrics and beats led me to create a larger piece. The choreography evolved, incorporating exaggerated movements representing political figures. Collaborative efforts with the cast, along with engagement with newcomer politicians and activists, enriched the creative process.

Father Politics was co-produced by Kaserne Basel and COLOURS INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL, one of the most important dance festivals in Europe, held every two years in Stuttgart. Your company also performed this piece at COLOURS We could not perform there because of covid. Could you tell us a little about the production process of Father Politics? 

Father Politics marked my first major one-hour dance production, nominated for the Swiss Youth Award for Dance and Theater. The collaborative process with the dancers was a blessing, each contributing their unique qualities. Working with established poet and dancer Anna Chiedza Spörri added a authenticity to the piece.

Istanbul audience will encounter a piece of yours for the first time. Is there anything particular you would like to tell the Istanbul audience before they experience Father Politics? 

I am thrilled to present my work for the first time in Istanbul, my second home Türkiye. Sharing my artistic vision and voice as a Turkish individual with a migration background, born and raised in Switzerland, holds immense significance to me.

[The Turkish version of this interview was published in unlimited.]