Cypriot Puzzle Exhibition Catalogue Published

The Embassy at Work
Art Inspires Communication:
Cypriot Puzzle Exhibition Catalogue Published
May 2009


In May 2009, the catalogue of the Cypriot Puzzle art exhibition was published to document this historic series of activities and, more importantly, their legacy of creativity and cooperation
In conflict zones all over the world, art has been successful in bringing communities together. With support from USAID, this is the case in Cyprus as well. The first island wide art competition resulted in a travelling exhibition that brightened the Cypriot landscape—physically and metaphorically—while using art to build bridges between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. In May 2009, the catalogue of the Cypriot Puzzle art exhibition was published to document this historic series of activities and, more importantly, their legacy of creativity and cooperation. The competition, the exhibition and the catalogue were all made possible through the cooperation of the Cyprus Chamber of Fine Arts (EKATE) and the European Mediterranean Arts Association (EMAA) and with support from the USAID-funded UNDP Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT) program.

The Cypriot Puzzle exhibition’s title was inspired by one of the winning works of art, entitled the “Human Puzzle”, created by 7 year-old Kyriakos Zakos. The work shows how all people are different and separate, but equal and related. Pieced together, different individual parts create a bright, new picture. Each piece is important on its own as well as because it is part of a larger whole. This metaphor can be applied to the exhibition as well as to Cyprus more generally.

The Cypriot Puzzle exhibition travelled around the island throughout 2008. Its aim was to focus attention and spark reflection on issues of concern to Cypriots. Its message was and remains that the Cyprus’ rich cultural diversity should be cultivated and shared, including through the visual arts.

See part of the Cypriot Puzzle Catalogue



http://nicosia.usembassy.gov/EmbatWork/USAIDcyPuzzleMay09.htm