The Lokma Project was an experiment in archiving dance as a process. Lokma (kronolojikal displays of celebration, from birth to grief) is a three-part, evening-length, multidisciplinary dance work that explores Turkish and Islamic traditions for observing and honoring major life milestones—birth, unions of love, and death.

The research for Lokma was rooted in oral histories, passed down almost entirely through word of mouth. Through conversations over tea with elders, family members, old neighbors, and the occasional digital search to unpack intense superstitions, Lokma became a meditation on the strength and expression of community as love.

My work focused on creative documentation, archiving, and set design for the third section of the piece - a celebration of death, burial, and mourning. This part of Lokma explored how we water graves, tend to those experiencing grief, and practice lifelong customs to honor the dead.

The output of the months of observation and conversation was an illustrated print photo accordion, a design for a Turkish scarf, and small print out eulogy slips for audience participation all displayed for the performance. Several set pieces were created, inspired by imagery from Turkish rural life and individual stories from the cast.

Lokma Pt. 3 debuted at the Boston Center for the Arts on April 4.

Choreography- Mira Göksel
Dancers- Izzi King, Marissa Molinar, Maude Warshaw
Prop/Creative Collaborator- Nate Guevin
Archival/Set Collaborator- Ananth Udupa