Craftland, developed and curated by Christos Kyriakides, aims to strengthen the craft sector by exploring ways of preserving the difficult and time-consuming creative processes of the handmade tradition in the digital age. This multi-dimensional project consists of a contemporary art exhibition, performances, workshops and a shop that will operate on the premises of the Anassa Hotel.
The Craftland art exhibition emerged as a response to the following questions: In what ways can contemporary art contribute to expanding our knowledge and understanding of traditional materials and techniques? How can craft maintain its sensibilities in the digital age? What do the bytes of this evolving database of craft practices consist of, and what 'hard drive' can safely preserve their future? Craftland showcases artworks by contemporary Cypriot visual artists and master craftsmen from different generations, whose work draws on practices, methods, techniques and/or ways of thinking related to traditional craftsmanship, while the exhibition will take shape through subtle interventions in the hotel's indoor and outdoor public spaces. Creating a path of discovery from sophisticated yet dynamic applications of traditional craftsmanship to contemporary art.
The Craftland store will feature a collection of both open and limited edition objects made specifically for this project. More than 30 local designers and artists have created and produced works covering a wide range of traditional crafts including embroidery, weaving, leatherwork, metalwork, goldsmithing, silversmithing, basketry, woodworking, glassworking and ceramics.
During the first weekend of the exhibition (25-26 June), visitors will also have the opportunity to come into direct contact with various types and materials of handicrafts by participating in or attending workshops in basketry, carpet making and ceramics by three experienced and renowned local craftsmen. More information will follow regarding the conduct of the three workshops.
Craftland will open its doors to the public on June 24, at 7pm.This will be followed by a live performance by sound artists Maria Spivak and Androula Kafa at 8pm
The artists participating in the exhibition are: Elysia Athanatos, Valentinos Charalambous, Vassos Demetriou, Alexandra Hadjikyriakou, Elina Ioannou, Sotiris Kallis, Katerina Kana, Fanos Kyriakou, Ioanna Louca, Malvina Middleton, Melina Sukuroglou, Nikos Taliadoros, Leontios Toubouris and Marina Xenophontos.
The Cyprus Handicraft Service is the planning and implementing body of the government policy in relation to the preservation and development of cottage industry and handicrafts in Cyprus. It was established in 1974 with the priority of recording and preserving Cypriot handicrafts. Today, its role has expanded and now includes modern elements and methods. It places artists at the centre of its activities, training the next generation of creators, encouraging research and innovation in this field and helping craftsmen and their work to find the right audience, both in Cyprus and abroad.
Christos Kyriakides is a visual artist, exhibition curator and poet.
Christos Kyriakides is a visual artist, exhibition curator and poet. His work consists of a collection of ideas around architecture and controversial landscapes, youth culture, identity and iconography.
His practice is based on the logic of divergence in which concepts are dismantled and relieved of their meanings, to be recreated from scratch through embroidery and sculptural installations. His work activates a feedback loop of sexual and geopolitical proximity, influenced by the idiosyncrasies of his queer subjectivity.
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