The participation of Turkish Cypriot artist Emin Çizenel in the exhibition “A slight indisposition,” which opens tonight at the Nicosia Municipal Arts Center (NiMAC) of the Municipality of Nicosia in collaboration with the Pierides Foundation.
In a statement, the foundation expresses concern and unease, noting that “Emin Çizenel is known not only for his artistic work but also as the creator of the flag of the occupying regime in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, a symbol that represents the ongoing Turkish occupation and the division of our homeland.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
As noted, “this is not the first time this particular artist has participated in cultural events in the free areas.”
“The repeated decision to invite this particular artist to exhibitions in the free areas raises legitimate questions. Art is certainly a space for freedom of expression and creativity. However, when it comes to individuals who have been associated with the creation of symbols that express the occupation and the consequences of the invasion, organizers must also be mindful of the political and social dimensions of their choices. The Ecologists’ Movement – Citizens’ Cooperation believes that such decisions cannot be excluded from public dialogue and criticism. Historical memory and sensitivity toward events that continue to shape the present and jeopardize Cyprus’s future course cannot be set aside in the name of a supposedly“neutral” cultural approach.”
