Abstract
Returning and Turning draws inspiration from Turnalar Semahı (Semah of Cranes), a form of semah, which is an Anatolian Alevi/Bektashi ritual characterized by collective whirling, rhythmic steps, and symbolic hand gestures performed in a circular formation. The movement in Turnalar Semahı is loosely based on the mating dance of cranes. The piece builds on a single take SD video of a torso in a turning motion, which here becomes an experiment with layered screen spaces, digital colour, repetition and superimposition. The soundtrack mirrors this structure in a live-recorded improvisation that samples contemporary semah recordings, focusing in particular on the saz, a traditional Turkish instrument. Returning and Turning is originally conceived as a live performance, where image and sound are created using live A/V sampling tools and exist in a responsive dialogue with one another. While this is a materialist experiment with colour, optics and sound, it also holds personal resonance: for Johns, it embodies a longing to reconnect with her familial ancestry, for Zeilinger, it is an exploration of his partner's cul- tural heritage.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Media of output | Film |
| Size | 6 minutes |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2024 |
Keywords
- Video art