OPENING OF THE LIMASSOL MUNICIPAL ARTS CENTRE – APOTHIKES PAPADAKI
with the exhibition soft stone documents
LIMASSOL MUNICIPAL ARTS CENTRE-APOTHIKES PAPADAKI Stathis Papadakis Street (off Ayiou Andreou Street)
17 December 2017 – 31 January 2018 / Tuesday – Friday, 11:00 – 19:00, Saturday 12:00 – 18:00
Τhe Municipality of Limassol, with the collaboration and support of the Cultural Services of the Ministry of Education and Culture, and following the donation of Apothikes Papadaki (urban storehouse) by the Stathis Papadakis Family, are delivering to the city of Limassol a significant work of cultural infrastructure, which is set to mark a new era for the visual and performing arts in the city.
The new arts centre, situated in the historic centre of Limassol, aims to highlight and promote contemporary artistic creation as well as to contribute to its further development. Focusing particularly on the visual and performing arts, its main goal is to promote research, creative experimentation and artistic synergies. The specially designed spaces of the Municipal Arts Centre will also host Artist Residency Programmes with both local and international participants, so as to encourage artist mobility and the development of meaningful links between the local scene and the global art field.
The opening exhibition at the Municipal Arts Centre is titled soft stone documents. This exhibition, curated by writer, art critic and academic Jan Verwoert, continues a conversation that began with The Future of Colour at the Cyprus Pavilion in Venice, among exhibiting artist Polys Peslikas and special guests Valentinos Charalambous, Mirene Arsanios and artist group Neoterismoi Toumazou, Marina Xenofotos, Orestis Lazouras and Maria Toumazou.
In the curator’s own words, “Reassembled around the eloquent ceramic art of Valentinos Charalambous, the works of the artists in soft stone documents together intone the song of matter, memory and desire. They are well-versed in the voices material speaks with when you let it talk. Do you hear? These voices may resound in the rustle of clothes, the bang of a drum, the colouring of clay in the fire, the tan of your skin, a tune in your ear, a sign in the window, the inaudible giggle of creation, the memory of touch, the lyricism alive in the labour of making the world anew, each day.
Soft stone documents is as much a continuation of the exhibition by Polys Peslikas and guests composed for the Cyprus Pavilion at the 2017 Venice Biennial, as it is a tribute to the inspiration Valentinos Charalambous’ work has been to many, including the artists present in this show”.
The new Limassol Municipal Arts Centre – Apothikes Papadaki will be inaugurated by the President of the Cyprus Republic Mr Nicos Anastasiades on Sunday, 17 December 2017, at 11:00 a.m.
Guided tours of the exhibition by participating artist Polys Peslikas will take place on Friday 22 December at 3:00 pm, and Saturday 30 December, at 11:00 am.