Dila Yumurtaci

Dila Yumurtaci, born in Istanbul (1988), is an artist and facilitator, graduated from the Faculty of Communication at Galatasaray University, pursued her master's degree in visual arts at Sabanci University on a full scholarship, also served as a teaching assistant (2015-2017). Her thesis dissertation, 'The Creation and The Eradication of An Artwork: Analysis of the Exhibition,' investigating the potentiality of relationality between humans and non-humans, culminated in a solo show titled 'Human Animal' (2017), graded at 19,25 marks. Noteworthy among her exhibited works, 'Dough,' a video performance, refers the relationship between the body and the senses through a nonhuman element as a second performer, showcased at Bilsart Gallery (2018) ‘Transcending the Senses’ was a participatory performance, designed by inviting 10 artists, to explore meditative capacities of small gestures and senses through participation. 'Small Talk,' a dance movie choreographed and directed by her, was screened at the Turkish Pavillon of Berlinale Film Festival (2011), while her acting prowess was recognized in 'The Pillar of the Salt,' selected for the Berlinale Festival (2018). Founded the dance collective ‘dadans’ (2008), aiming to foster collaboration through interdisciplinary, research-driven projects. Notable among these is 'Be Water My Friend,' a participatory performance showcased at the Istanbul Biennale (2019) and Istanbul Design Biennale (2021). A site-specific performance 'On Relativity,' performed with a nonhuman element such as a flexible mirror, featuring multiple performers, graced various venues including the Sabanci Museums (2016-2018). Moreover, the exhibition 'Maybe We will Benefit from our Neighbor’s Fortune,' representing collectives in Turkey, dadans received invitations and support from the Arts & Humanities Council and the University of Birmingham (2017). Completed the teacher training of yoga, somatic and mindfulness (MBSR-Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) from Advaita School (2016), she facilitates embodied practices by organizing classes, workshops, and retreats in Turkey and Sri Lanka, focusing on somatic works, conscious and creative movement practices, yoga, and meditation. Furthermore, with a background in classical dance, graduating from the Royal Academy of Dance (1996-2008), Dila has furthered her expertise through various workshops across Europe, specializing in embodied practices in relation to all these areas. Sought after as a lecturer and movement facilitator, sharing her expertise in dance and performance art at institutions by workshops such as Bilgi University Performing Arts and Mimar Sinan University Musicology. During her masters, she was a teaching assistant to different professors for theoretical classes in visual arts (2015-20172). Recently, she was accepted to participate in the Spring Seminar Conference in May 2024, on the theme of History of Art(s). Currently based in Porto, she is pursuing her PhD in Arts, continuing her journey of exploration and innovation in the field of embodied practices, eco-somatics and artistic research.