AN INTERPRETIVE APPROACH TO TURKISH FOLK DANCES AND CHOREOGRAPHY ART

Abstract

The term Choreography emerges as an art form that carries multiple meaning and is used in different ways. The most meaningful use of this artistic form can be seen within the art of dance. In the art of dance, we can say that there are two meanings of the choreography.  The first of these refers to dance writing or notation. Notation focuses on the spatial and rhythmic structure of the movement for the analysis of dance. In the second sense, it refers to a production process where creativity takes center stage in designing, producing, conseptualizing, and presenting dance. 

Turkish Folk Dances are considered as a "choreographic" material in the traditions of performance, teaching and staging. In connection with the concept of "authenticity" in the formation process of the tradition, the practices made in Turkish Folk Dances are not considered choreography.

In this study, the word choreography will be examined in both etymological and semiotic fields. The use of the concept of choreography in traditional dance cultures will be analyzed and suggestions will be presented on how choreographic practices can be accepted in the context of Turkish Folk Dances.