Karakoncolos

Traditionally considered a demon, this figure is used to invite the audience to experience "demonization," a phenomenon increasingly used to justify the repression of movements such as climate activism and anti-fascism.


Through dance, the work visualizes how demonization is part of the resistance to the status quo and, at the same time, celebrates joy as a source of recovery in marginalized communities, informed by its connection to the Berlin drag scene.


The piece uses somatic, improvisational, and choreographic methods to embody the being and its layers of human/non-human, transforming the fall into the anti-fall, with demonic seduction, anger, and joy as resistance, and as a driver of identity formation.


Simple Language

"Karakoncolos is a solo dance. The piece portrays strong emotions: anger and joy. It plays with rule-breaking and seduction. The idea comes from a being from the Laz culture in northern Turkey. This being emerges in times of great change. It reveals harsh truths. Many call it a "demon."

I use this figure to show that groups are often portrayed as "evil" in order to oppress them. For example, climate activism and anti-fascism. In dance, I show that demonization can be part of the resistance against the status quo. Joy gives strength, especially for marginalized communities. I am influenced by the drag scene in Berlin. I work somatically, improvisationally, and choreographed. I embody the being: partly human, partly non-human. I transform falling into a new movement (a fall that becomes rising up). The piece explores seduction, anger, and joy as resistance and identity.


Glossary: Laz culture: Culture of a minority in northern Turkey.

Demonization: People or groups are portrayed as "evil" so they can be more easily oppressed.

Somatic: Working with body awareness.


Over four evenings, graduates of the BA in Dance, Context, and Choreography will present their final projects. Featuring works by Mateo Argerich, Ella Olivia Bender, Anton Gerzina, Sefa Okutan, Mahshad Rezai, Milena Stein, Marie Stremmel, and Frida Zack.