Following the success of ARTiade 1996, in Atlanta, competing nations have once again not only sent athletes but also artists to reflect the cultural identity of their countries. ‘Cultural Foundation Artiade’ (Germany), independent organiser of the exhibition, aims to counterbalance the increasing commercialisation of the games by bringing together and documenting the emotions and traditions of the countries involved, through “this creative forum for world culture”.
Evripides’ installation series ‘Soldiers Are Finally Going Home’ uses found objects taken out of their every day environment to construct a visual concept reflecting “not only the spirit of the Olympic truce but also the need of the local people in Cyprus to live without the fear of a possible war“. Two groups of soldiers, represented by minature toy figures in the works, are depicted finally going home in order to establish local peace. Texts relating to the ‘local cultural spirit’ are projected onto the withdrawing soldiers.
Tatiana’s work amusingly yet tactfully explores important personal, social and political issues relating to the Cyprus situation. Through humorously metaphorical sculptures (made from Perspex, plaster & wood) a series of table football games are constructed where the political leaders are the unseen ‘real operators’ of the game, whilst the teams’ figures represent the people - the two manipulated, and consequently, conflicting sides:
“During the course of time, in a certain confined but transparent space, the political powers, who are the real operators of the game, for their own goals and gains, that is to introduce their own morals, social views, and political agendas, have manipulated and monitored the people and thus generated a most intractable conflict and petty antagonisms between the two main communities; the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.” (Ferahian, 2004)
Similar to the concept driving the current ‘Bodyworks’ exhibition in Cyprus, the clear link ‘Manipulation’ makes between sports and art is especially relevant to the ARTiade model which essentially hopes to reveal the original meaning of the Olympic ideal and show that “athletes & artists represent two sides of a common culture“. (ARTiade)
