Cyprus in Venice, 1968 - 2009

In the framework of the programme commemorating the 50th anniversary of Cypriot Independence, a large retrospective exhibition is organized as a tribute to the 40 years of participation of Cyprus in the Venice Biennial of Art, from 1968 to 2009.

Marking 115 years since its inauguration, the Venice Biennale of Visual Arts is still considered to be one of the most significant artistic events on the calendar, and every two years the City of Venice becomes the epicenter of the international art world, the media, and the artloving public.

Cyprus first joined this massive art celebration in 1968 with six young artists, demonstrating all the cultural and artistic dynamism of a new State. The intractable socio-political circumstances on the island during the following period led to a long absence, until 1986 when the national participation resumed, continuing almost uninterrupted until today, under the responsibility of the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture.

This exhibition primarily seeks to acquaint a wider local audience with the institution of the Venice Biennale, and the works of the artists who have represented Cyprus up until today. On another level, it attempts to place these contributions in a historical context, in relation to the course of contemporary art in Cyprus during the post-independence period as well as in relation to the developing course of the biennial. Furthermore, it investigates prevailing narratives and discourses, both within works in the national pavilion and in connection with international debates in theory and criticism; and finally, it collects and reconstitutes ‘lost’ sources and archival material associated with the Cypriot participation, while trying to outline the distinctive profile of the event itself.

This retrospective follows a multi-level approach, including an historical section, a series of theoretical discussions, and a subsequent extensive publication. The conscious effort here is not to faithfully reproduce all the national pavilion shows, but rather to convey the essence of the original presentations, while highlighting the historicity of the whole course.

For this reason, the exhibition unfolds on a chronology and a descriptive narrative that guides the visitor through four decades of participation. In effect, it draws on the Venice Biennial theme in order to identify, research and question issues around the Cypriot artistic scene of the last 50 years, juxtaposing them to the complex dynamics of the global arena.

The event is co-organized by the Ministry of Education and Culture, Cultural Services and the Pierides Foundation, and will be showing at the Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre (Old Power House) between 3 December 2010 and 27 March 2011.

Curators: Louli Michaelidou and Yiannis Toumazis.

Opening Hours
Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00-15:00, 17:00-23:00
Sunday: 10:00-16:00