Mohamed Y. Shika
Mohamed Saleh (b. 1989), Shika "Mohamed Saleh, known as Shika, is an Egyptian contemporary dancer of Nubian origin. His dance journey blends influences from Nubian folk dances, martial arts, house, and Afro-traditional and contemporary dances studied at Senegal's Ecole des Sables. Inhabiting various worlds and identities intersect, Shika's artistic sensibilities thrive in the fusion of these diverse experiences.
Shika's interest extends beyond dance to different art mediums, such as painting and photography, influenced by the dynamism of his movement. In 2017, Shika was awarded the Pina Bausch fellowship following the work of Nora Chipaumire, where their close collaboration continues to evolve to date. Shika has been dancing with Cullberg since 2018.
Shika's invitation to the Within Practice festival ignited his interest in exploring, through the lens of his own experience, how dancers' roles within companies like Cullberg shape and inform the utilization of the various tools and practices they have developed or been exposed to. Specifically, he's intrigued by the intersection of dance practices and long-term approaches.