Urban discovery with: Melena Tortoh, Mel

"Art gives me the opportunity to free myself emotionally, to create beauty, to constantly challenge myself and to grow continuously."

Melena Tortoh, also known as Mel, works as a freelance performer and dancer in various stage productions and is part of the Urban Arts Ensemble Ruhr, which was founded in 2023.
In the "Urban discovery with" series, Mel talks about all the many ways in which art can enrich life, tells us about good shooting spots and what makes the urban arts scene in the Ruhr area so special.

Name: Melena Tortoh, Mel

Age: 26

Place of birth/place of residence: Düsseldorf

Profession: freelance artist in the performing arts, performer, dancer dancer at the Urban Arts Ensemble Ruhr, dance teacher (hip hop)

Instagram: @mel.trth

How would you describe yourself and your work to an alien?

Hi, I'm Mel. I am a dancer. That means I move to music. My body becomes an art form. Or I would just dance to it. Dance is a form of expression that can be understood without words.

What drives you to create art?

I love art! I love being inspired. I find it very fascinating what we can create with it. Especially art in motion. I love the way people move and dance to music, it just looks great. I find it very interesting what you can create or express with your body. I wanted to do that too. To create something that inspires me in particular, but also others. Art gives me the opportunity to free myself emotionally, to create beauty, to constantly challenge myself and to continuously grow. My love and passion for art drives me to design my own creative journey and create something that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but somehow a form of self-fulfillment. Dancing has not only allowed me to meet many new people, but has also given me the opportunity to gain new experiences in different places. What's more, dancing is simply fun! Art is not just a hobby for me, but a passion that enriches my life. And the opportunity to do what fulfills me and make a living from it is motivation enough to keep going.

What do you love most about the Ruhr region in general?

What I like most about the Ruhr region is that everything is connected and easy to reach. Everything is interconnected and not far away from each other. Especially for me, who hates long journeys, that's definitely perfect.

Three places in the Ruhr region that you definitely show visitors:

Places that I find exceptionally cool are the Zeche Zollverein in Essen, the PACT and the Landschaftspark in Duisburg. I like the locations. I love the industrial flair. I think the spots are super cool, especially for small shoots.
I would also take my guest by the hand and finally go to the Open Space (large training venue for urban artists) in Bochum. I've heard a lot about it, but haven't been there myself yet. It's at the top of my to-do list.

You can see a person on the roof of a house. She is looking sideways to the ground.

Photo credits: Niklas Schmitz

You can see a person in a photo studio. She is kneeling on the ground and looking into the camera.

Photo credits: Studioline

Two people can be seen on a stage. They are kneeling and sitting in front of each other on the floor. The person in the front is looking upwards. The person in the back supports the head of the person in the front with one hand and looks past the head.

Photo credits: Oliver Look

You can see a group picture of the Urban Arts Ensemble Ruhr. Seven people are sitting and standing next to each other in front of and on top of a work table.

Photo credits: Young-Soo Chang

What makes the art and culture scene here so special?

Firstly, I've already mentioned that we're extremely well connected here in the Ruhr region.
Also among each other. People know each other well here; as urban dancers, we are particularly well connected, which makes collaboration and exchange much easier. Cultural institutions are also easy to reach and you have easy access to them.
There's always something going on here. Whether it's events, concerts, battles, performances or pieces that you can watch. There's definitely a lot going on here.

Where can you feel the Metropole of the Arts here?

PACT Zollverein, Flottmann Hallen, Theater Oberhausen, Bochum Jahrhunderthalle, the Ruhr Games and the Summer Battle of Pottporus e.V. are definitely the first places and events that I strongly associate with the Ruhr region and the cultural scene.

Where/when did you have your best cultural experience?

Definitely 2023! Through Pottporus e.V and the production phases for FASTER but also CRACKS and especially the start with the Urban Arts Ensemble Ruhr I spent all my time in the Ruhr area.

Where do you like to eat & drink?

I love the Asian cuisine! "Aroma" is a Vietnamese restaurant right next to Essen's main train station. The food there is incredibly delicious and the staff is super cool and super funny.
We ( the ensemble) have already eaten there several times. It's definitely one of our favorite spots.

The best parties are in...

Junkyard in Dortmund.

If the Ruhr region was a song, this is what it would sound like:

Definitely something german in the style of Materia or Peter Fox.

What is your next project?

We will soon begin rehearsing for the new production "MC Messer" with the Urban Arts Ensemble Ruhr. I'm already looking forward to it!