Merel Mekenkamp

Who are you as a performer/artist?

As an artist, I value the pleasure and fun above anything else. I believe anything can be fun, as long as you’re completely taken away by it. One could say my fun translates into passion. As a performer, I like to go to my max; as a maker, I enjoy finding all different possibilities; and as an artist, I put too much on my plate. Life is like art to me, and I prefer it full and rich.

What are your ambitions?

My dream right now is to dance at Batsheva, but that’s only a goal that I like to work towards. If I succeed, that’s great; if I don’t, that’s fine.

In life, I would like to explore as much as I can, keep the curiosity and fiery spirit within me, and eventually spread my findings. Teach, make, differentiate in art forms, you name it. My ambitions aren’t specific, but they’re great; if I go for it, I go.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find my inspiration in many different things. Music and humor, I will say, are the biggest ones. I started dancing because of music, and will always prefer to dance from the music. Humor to me translates the unexpectedness in life. I find interest in illogical logical responses, “what’s the best worst thing to do right now”.

For the rest, I just love movement; I’m inspired by physicality. I like dance for being dance, to express, to move. I like to think but try to keep things simple. When I dance, I enjoy living. I’m a walking paradox.

What did you do at your internship & what did you learn?

I did my internship at Scapino Ballet. My perspective on dance and what dance can be is the biggest thing I’ve learned here. It’s comical to me when I think back on what I said about myself while I was still in ArteZ, assuming I was already free in my artistic mind. That I did all the things I wanted already. Being in a company forced me to explore more sides of myself, the ones I hated and the ones I loved. Leaving my class felt like being ripped away from my family. This rip was painful, but necessary. The moment you’re in that type of comfort, it’s time to go. I didn’t want to, but it was what I needed. It’s been one of the hardest experiences I’ve been through, yet I’m here to tell the tale. And I will talk fondly about it; I’m a stronger person than I was before.

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