Concept: Taldans
Creation: Filiz Sızanlı (TR), Mustafa Kaplan (TR), Kürşad Özdemir (TR), Iza Szostak (P), Karol Tymiński (P), Wojtek Ziemilski (P), Zorka Wollny (P)
Supported by: Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Prof. Dr. Nezih Orhon, Eskisehir Anadolu University Faculty of Communication
Project Director: Fırat Kuşçu
Thanks to: Salt Galata
Premiere: September 28, 2014, Body/Mind Festival, Poland

600 Steps Project is a project by Taldans, which was established by the Turkish dancer and choreographers Mustafa Kaplan and Filiz Sızanlı. 600 Steps Project is an exchange to mark the 600th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations Between Poland and Turkey (2014). The project aims to explore the themes of cities and the memories of two cities in particular: Istanbul and Warsaw.

The interdisciplinary project was carried out by dancers, musicians, choreographers, a composer and an architect/designer. The project was created together by Filiz Sızanlı, Mustafa Kaplan, Kürşad Özdemir, Iza Szostak, Karol Tymiński, Wojtek Ziemilski and Zorka Wollny.

The artists worked in urban spaces as well as in the studio where they experienced and explored the city as collectors. As a result, the viewers are able to see different kinds of installations of found-objects from the two cities, accompanied by performances which allow for a closer meeting with the artists.

The Phases of the Project:

– In August 2013, two artists from Istanbul – Mustafa Kaplan and Filiz Sızanlı of Taldans, worked in Warsaw. For the first four days of their stay, the duo explored the city and later organized blind dates with Polish artists. After working separately, the established group collaborated together on the final project during a three-day workshop.
– In February 2014, four Polish artists traveled to Istanbul for a ten-day residency. For the first four days, they lived  in different parts of the city to explore it on their own. Following that, the whole group gathered together at SALT Galata in order to brainstorm 600 new ways of exploring the city.
– All the artists met in Warsaw for another one-week residency. At the end of their stay, the final project was represented at the Zachęta National Gallery of Art, on 28 September 2014 as part of the Body/Mind Festival.
– The final production was also presented at SALT Galata for Istanbul audience on 30 October 2014.

Past Performances:
Oct’ 2014 / Salt Galata, Istanbul, Turkey
Sept’ 2014 / Body/Mind Festival, Warsaw, Poland