By Maria Gregoriou
In Cyprus the concept of territories and boundaries is very real and, for many of us, clearly defined and only a few steps away. So perhaps it’s time we find other ways of looking at the subject of areas being owned by one nation or another. After all, perhaps boundaries are not just a green line stopping us.
Together with the French Institute in Nicosia, two young, talented artists – Asli Bolayir and Christine Chiorboli – both from two Mediterranean islands, are holding an exhibition very aptly entitled Territories as of Tuesday at the ARTos Foundation. In their works, Bolayir from Cyprus and Chiorboli from Corsica hope to interact with and encourage the audience to find a new perspective on the issues of territories and borders, both geographical and personal.
Bolayir, who studied Fine Arts in Marseille and currently lives between Barcelona and Cyprus, explores the theme of borders with a series of flags made of various materials and abstract paintings. These flags create a transitional space where identities are interchangeable.
She uses shapes and lines to illustrate geological and internal landscapes and territories which do not conform to neat and precise silhouette, but rather outlines cracks and ruptures.
Along with the physical interpretation of her art, Bolayir proposes the exploration of spatial identity and even questions the very idea of belonging, which is reflected in her own interpretation of the well-known “You are here” Google Maps index.
Chiorboli takes on the challenge of presenting her interpretation of borders armed with Claudius Ptolemy’s theory that maps show things that we are unable to see. Together with the mathematician’s theory and her artistic talent, the Corsican artist attempts to present the notion of borders by examining files of soil studies which also bring to the surface a relationship with time.
Chiorboli, who closely works with the geography of actual places which have been modified, tackles the artistic dimension in relation to the reliability of the scientific image, creating a new way of presenting this geometric space.
Her work removes all signs and reference points as they do not assist her in any way, despite the fact that the map is there to guide us in order to find our way. It is the viewer’s imagination that ultimately gives meaning to the new map.
The exhibition is on until December 16 in Nicosia, so there’s plenty of time to visit Ledra Street, look at the check-point, visit the exhibition and see if your concept of borders has changed.
Territories
Group exhibition by Asli Bolayir and Christine Chiorboli. Opens December 2 at 7.30pm until December 16. ARTos Foundation, 64 Ay. Omolyites Avenue, Nicosia. Monday- Friday: 9am-5pm. Tel: 22-445455
