Art aware
Bicommunal series of art talks ends with an exhibition of participants’ work
One could argue that the Art Aware show that ends on Thursday in north Nicosia does not have the glitz and glitter of some of the exhibitions that we have witnessed in the south, but the fact is that it is the most spontaneous and fruitful co-operation between the two sides of the island that I have ever seen.
The exhibition at the Ataturk Culture Centre and HP Art Gallery is a result of a friendship that has evolved between Greek and Turkish Cypriot artists during a year-long series of lectures on art organised by Greek Cypriot painter Nicholas Panayi and Turkish Cypriot European Mediterranean Arts Association (EMMA).
“It was during a discussion with one of EMMA’s founders, artist Nilgun Guney that we said it would be very interesting to put Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot artists together and let them talk about their art,” remembers Panayi in his art studio in Perecleos Street in the Old Nicosia. “We organised a group of artists who would be interested in participating in this initiative and for about a year, every first Saturday of the month, we would meet at north Nicosia’s Arabahmet Cultural Centre and listen to one Turkish Cypriot and one Greek Cypriot artist who would bring along their works on slides, present them to the public and talk about them.”
The project, says Panayi, gave its participants a chance not only to meet and learn about each other’s artistic creations but also to form long lasting friendships.
“We exchanged a lot of ideas and discussed many issues, some very hot and political. Some disagreements came up as well but at least they were discussed. And for me personally the most important was the fact that it gave me a chance to learn what was happening in this part of my country, enabled me to develop a better communication with Turkish Cypriot artists and as a result become more fulfilled as a Cypriot artist.
“The highlights of all these meetings were the parties that we had afterwards,” he continued. “We went to different restaurants, we got to know each other better, we danced together. Also, thanks to this initiative, I have exhibited with Turkish Cypriot artists, and when you do that, when you exhibit together, when you face problems together, you grow.”
It was also during these late night meetings that the idea of an exhibition that would bring together works of all the artists participating in the project arose.
“The lectures ended in June last year but it takes time to organise such an event with 23 artists from both sides,” explained Panayi. “In fact, half a year is not that long, especially seeing as we didn’t have too much help from outside. As a matter of fact, on the Greek side, I was more or less alone and really didn’t have enough time to go around and ask for any support. That is why it was EMAA and its members who have done the bulk of work. They even managed to produce a catalogue.”
The colourful catalogue sold at the exhibition includes most of the artists who took part in the Art Aware project and apart from reproductions of their works contains the summaries of their Arabahmet lectures. It is both in Turkish and English.
“They were some complaints from the Greek Cypriot side that there is no Greek text in the catalogue and I agree that it would be better if there was,” says Panayi. “But as I said all the money for the project came from the north and they really didn’t have enough to hire another translator. I tried to explain the situation to Greek artists and I think they accepted.”
And do the exhibition and the publishing of the catalogue signal the end of the Art Aware project or will be there a continuation?
“We are planning to continue but we don’t know the form yet,” Panayi said. “But it is definitely just the end of the first cycle. With the Turkish Cypriot artists I found a willing spirit and a fertile ground. They are very helpful and very enthusiastic. They agree with the idea and they want to realise it. Actually the attitude of most of the participating artists is very encouraging. I think Art Aware is something that is growing. It is like a painting that has layers added upon layers on it. You never start a painting knowing the end of it. One movement leads to another. You try to see far but at the same time you allow the process to mould it. We are in this process now. It should be pure, alive, unpretentious and this is what is happening. This is the good thing about the Art Aware – it is a natural involvement and an exchange. We are just trying to come into contact with each other and learn.”
Art Aware. Works by Adi Atassi, Anna Kakoulli, Asik Mene, Dimitris Neukeus, Doros Erakleous, Emin Cizenel, Feridun Isiman, Glyn Hughes, Gunay Guzekgun, Inci Kansu, Katerina Attalidou, Kyraikos Kallis, Louiza Kaimakki, Mustafa Hasturk, Nicholas Panayi, Nilgun Guey, Ozden Selenge, Panayiotis Michael, Pembe Gaziler, Ruzen Atakan, Spyros Demetriades, Stefanos Karambambas and Zehra Sonya. Until February 2. Ataturk Cultural Centre, close to Kyrenia Gate; and the HP Art Gallery, in the Old Town, close to the Ayia Sophia Cathedral.
