In a special effort to raise awareness about the Braswell Arts Center Virtual Benefit Gala, we are proud to present this years featured artists.

Who are you? And a bit about your training and experience?

My name is Ihsan Rustem, and I am a British/Swiss choreographer living in Zurich where I founded the dance company Cie. La Ronde (please could you include these link ) together with Cathy Marston in 2020. As well as creating works for companies worldwide, I have been the Resident Choreographer for the NW Dance Project, in Portland Oregon, since 2015.

What inspires you?

Kind, open, curious humans… who know how to laugh! 

Tell us about the work you are presenting or dancing in?

‘Mother Tongue’ was the second work I created for the NW Dance Project in 2012. It was inspired by the feeling of attempting to understand where I fit in culturally. As a kid of Turkish-Cypriot immigrants growing up in the UK, I never felt like I fully ‘belonged’ to either culture fully. It was confusing at times. One day, shortly before creating this work, I was stood in the middle of Taksim Square in Istanbul, with all of its busy and food and life and laughter, and I had this ‘a ha’ moment… I am all of these things, inspired by all of these places, and this does not need to fit in to any one box!

Hardest part of your job?

Jet lag! Though I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to create in many wonderful lands… and time zones!

Who has been the most influential person/people in your life? or Career? and why?

Oh, it is almost impossible for me to to pinpoint one single person. The obvious choices, from a professional perspective, would be the wonderful array of choreographers I had the fortune to work with throughout my dancer life. They really shaped me as an artist. But honestly, I would say my parents. There is a bold fighting spirit and an incredibly strong work ethic that comes from trying to ‘make it’ as an equal in a new land. They instilled clear values and an absolute belief in hard work… and total integration. They also taught me how to have fun!

Something you like to do other than dance?

Travel. I’m still so curious about this amazing world we live in. I want to taste it all. I am hitting the big ’40’ milestone this June, and will take a little time off to travel throughout Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand

 

Your wildest dreams for the dance world?

No more cancellations. An empty auditorium is a haunting sight.

Something you would change in the REAL world?

Inequality.

Please help us raise awareness about the Braswell Arts Center Virtual Benefit Gala, we need your support to reach our campaign goal for the new Braswell Arts Center at Aeschenplatz. Join us if you can!

Main photo by Aline Paley