Talking with Cyprus’ sculptures
Have you ever conversed with a sculpture? An ongoing artistic research initiative is mapping public art sculptures across the divide to examine their relation with public space, art and dialogue. Following an exhibition in the Buffer Zone, Of Monumental is now presenting the study, archive and publication titled Conversation with a sculptor / Conversation with a sculpture, which will be presented on Saturday at Phytorio – Visual Artists & Art Theorists Association in Nicosia.
Of Monumental was conceived by visual artist PASHIAS and grounded in his long-term artistic inquiry, the initiative is implemented by intercommunal cultural non-profit organisation Visual Voices in collaboration with architect and academic Dimitris Venizelos, researcher Selin Genç, audiovisual artist Rahme Veziroğlu and curator Melina Philippou.
Its publication examines 11 public art sculptures across the divide: Birth by Maria Kyprianou (2000, Limassol); The Big Potato (2021, Xylophagou); Clepsydra by Theodoulos Gregoriou (2009, Larnaca); Democracy Sculpture by Zehra Şonya (2019, Nicosia); Horses by the Near East University Sculpture Workshop (2021, Nicosia); Jaffa Orange by Sevcan Çerkez (2015, Lefke); Lying Down by Naz Atun (2021, Nicosia); Miners’ Strike Monument (2018, Lefke); Liberty Monument by Ioannis Notaras (1973, Nicosia); The Poet by Costas Varotsos (1983, Nicosia); and Rainbow by Nikos Kouroussis (1976, Nicosia) that was taken down later on.
Drawing on archival material and newly conducted interviews, the publication approaches public art monuments as relational objects shaped through social life, institutional frameworks and everyday encounters.
The event, as part of Phytorio’s public programme Minor Gestures Take Root in the Cracks, includes an introduction to the Of Monumental initiative by curator Philippou, reflections on the artistic responses by PASHIAS and Veziroğlu, and a presentation of the publication’s research framework by Venizelos and Genç, followed by a round-table discussion with project contributors open to the public.
The initiative and artistic responses will be presented in English and in the contributors’ first language, the publication will be presented in Greek and Turkish, and the discussion will be conducted in English.
Conversation with a sculptor / Conversation with a sculpture
Publication presentation, as part of the interdisciplinary research project on Cyprus’ public art monuments Of Monumental. January 31. Phytorio, 2, Nechrou Street, Nicosia Municipal Gardens. 2pm. In English, Greek and Turkish. www.visual-voices.org/of-monumental, melina@visual-voices.org