ARTISTIC ARCHIVE

ARTISTIC ARCHIVE

text YIOTA MALLAS

photography DEC AUDIOVISUAL

The Centre of Visual Arts and Research has successfully woven together a historical patchwork where every item has a memory to share. And with recent accolades adding to its achievements, this institution is not only preserving but is now even making history.

THE CENTRE OF VISUAL ARTS AND RESEARCH has dedicated a whole exhibition room to Caterina Cornaro, the last queen of Cyprus during its Venetian period.

A stroll through the heart of Nicosia, between the Green Line and Famagusta Gate, takes you to Ermou Street, once a thriving thoroughfare of the walled city, which was recently restored to revive its historical stature and appeal. As you explore Ermou, you cannot miss the Centre of Visual Arts and Research (CVAR), a unique cultural space dedicated to Cypriot heritage. Inaugurated in 2014, the Centre blends perfectly with its surroundings and embodies the purpose of the Costas and Rita Severis Foundation. What began as a private collection of its founders is now a public platform for exploring and engaging in Cypriot culture.

April 2017 marked a further milestone for the CVAR as it received the Europa Nostra award in the category of Education, Training and Awareness Raising. Europa Nostra is the leading organization that supports and celebrates culture across Europe. Dr Rita Severis, Executive Director of the CVAR, says: “Out of a total of 202 organizations and individuals from 39 European countries, we entered the 29 laureates, making us the first Cypriot entry to win in this particular category.” The Centre was also one of the seven finalists on the shortlist of 29 to receive the European Cultural Heritage Grand Prix, another first for Cyprus. In a high-profile event in Turku, Finland, Maestro Plácido Domingo, President of Europa Nostra, presented the award to Mr Costas Severis. Together these accolades are well-deserved recognition of the foundation’s exciting and at times challenging journey spanning over thirty years. “The renovation of the Centre alone took six years, and was made possible thanks to the combined support of USAID, EEA & Norway Grants, UNDP-Act and the De Minimis programme,” says Rita.

REWARDING REMNANTS

The location is a monument in itself, as the CVAR is housed in what was originally an Ottoman-era khan which later became a flour mill in the early 20th century. The four-storey structure houses tens of thousands of artefacts that document art, history and travel in Cyprus from the 18th century to the present day. It constitutes an interactive panorama, transporting the visitor through the Ottoman, colonial and post-Independence era and showcasing the diversity of cultural influences through the centuries.

Among the prized pieces that you can explore are 1500 paintings by travelling artists that share Cyprus as their common muse. Their work includes visual representations of the island’s natural beauty, portraits of key individuals, but also significant events in politics. “We see the 19th century pictorial testimonies of German, British and French travellers as they sketched and painted on long walks,” says Rita. Important works include the landscapes by David Blomberg and the pencil and watercolour depiction of Kyrenia’s Antiphonitis church by Ben Nicholson. The CVAR offers a unique opportunity to observe the relationship between Cyprus and foreign visitors who found creative inspiration here. Characteristic styles of contemporary Cypriot artists such as Kissonergis, Diamantis, and Emin Çizenel can also be admired. Alongside these images, immersive tableaus present examples of tangible history such as costumes and memorabilia through depictions of military life and society.

MAESTRO PLÁCIDO DOMINGO, President of Europa Nostra, presents the European Cultural Heritage Grand Prix to Mr Costas Severis during a high-profile ceremony in Turku, Finland, in April 2017.

One exhibition room is dedicated to Caterina Cornaro, the last queen of Cyprus during its Venetian period. It includes a portrait of Cornaro from the school of Titian, one of only three paintings of the queen produced by the Great Master and his team. “The subject is believed to be Titian’s very own sister, thanks to her suitable pre-Raphaelite look,” says Rita. “Another painting from the trio is in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, so it is clearly a very significant exhibit.”

ART AND ARTEFACTS document and reflect the island’s beauty, history, culture and mix of civilizations from the 18th century to the present day.

Displays feature countless written accounts from diaries, manuscripts, letters and official documents, each offering unique insight into life on the island. A total of 25,000 photographs capture rare and otherwise unseen aspects of Cyprus, with many originating in the archive of French art historian Camille Enlart, who visited Cyprus in 1896. “We purchased the family collection, not only because it is the oldest photographic archive on Cyprus but also because he photographed many monuments that do not exist anymore,” explains Rita. The Centre recently acquired the Glafkos Clerides Library, a collection of books and artefacts belonging to the former President of Cyprus, which are invaluable to the 20th century history of the island. The conference hall and terrace with enchanting rooftop views host workshops, seminars and other events, crucial for the upkeep of the Centre as it depends on voluntary contributions.

UNITY IN DIVERSITY

On the one hand, the Centre is a picture book of the island’s past; on the other hand, its work has important ripple effects beyond its walls. Indeed, it can be described as a ‘living museum’ due to its commitment to educational and cultural outreach programmes across the island. “Museums should not be static temples where the visitor feels detached,” says Rita. “Our objective is to establish a connection with our audience by guiding them to old memories and new ideas.” Scholars can utilize the research centre housing over 10,000 Cyprus-related books and priceless archival material such as photographs and primary documents. This is a field close to Rita’s heart, as her own publications on art history made ground-breaking contributions to the literature on Cyprus.

NESTLING IN THE HEART OF THE OLD TOWN, the Centre for Visual Arts and Research is committed to educational and cultural outreach across the island and beyond.

Committed to its values of peaceful coexistence and understanding among all communities of Cyprus, the CVAR hosts countless interactive activities with culture as the key mechanism. With equal attention to all visitors, the Centre is also fully accessible for disabled individuals. It is this social footprint that has been most celebrated by international organizations, with the CVAR’s recent affiliation with the Nobel Peace Prize Centre being among the most important acknowledgements. Past events have included ‘flash mob’ opera performances across Nicosia, theatre productions and through ‘Ermou 1900’, a reconstruction of the street as it was in the 19th century. “We set up stalls presenting various crafts, we brought farm animals, and together with many volunteers, we wore traditional costumes from that period,” says Rita. A loyal following continues to attend the monthly ‘Read a Painting’ sessions as well as the intimate forums where the public can gather and discuss operas and classical music of Cyprus with a panel of passionate experts.

The CVAR is a beacon of civilization that remains at the forefront of peace-building and education for the island’s community. Locals will discover fragments of the past that have shaped their own cultural identity. For the discerning tourist, it is a window to the Cypriot society of yesteryear through a heart-warming and enlightening experience.