ARRIVALS>CYPRUS: Christodoulos Panayiotou
25 July to 9 September 2006
Artist Christodoulos Panayiotou crafts concise videos out of ephemeral situations. For ARRIVALS>CYPRUS at Modern Art Oxford the artist presents Truly, 2005, a sensuous video and sound installation in which water fountains spray jets of pure colour and fighter planes sketch vapour-trail hearts in a clear blue sky. Set to an enticing sound track, the work suggests dramatic encounters and offers a beguiling invitation to dance.
The exhibition also includes a new work by Panayiotou based on the classical structure of Prologue, Exposition and Epilogue. The Prologue: Quoting Absence is presented for the first time within the framework of ARRIVALS>CYPRUS. A recording of a conversation between four Oxford-based scholars and thinkers, from the fields of science, philosophy, arts and theology, on the theme of absence will be played on a four-channel system in the gallery space, replacing the presentation of Truly during the last week of the exhibition. The transcript of this recording will be produced as a book.
“Christodoulos Panayiotou is an artist who incisively explores the complex interconnections between our most innate desires and their cultural constructions…At once ironic yet tender, analytic but deeply felt, his work is that of a savvy cultural consumer who is not afraid – every now and then – to fall for the very romantic myths and pop productions he so deftly probes” 4th Deste Prize Jury Committee.
The DESTE Prize Jury Committee members are: Dakis Joannou – President, DESTE Foundation, Nicolas Bourriaud – Director, Palais de Tokyo, Urs Fischer – Artist, Pauline Karpidas – Collector and Scott Rothkopf – Senior Editor ARTFORUM.
Christodoulos Panayiotou is the sixth artist to feature in ARRIVALS>NEW ART FROM THE EU, a series of ten exhibitions over two years at Modern Art Oxford and Turner Contemporary, Margate introducing the work of artists from the expanded European Union.
The corresponding exhibition at Turner Contemporary is a new installation by Nikos Charalambidis, 29 July to 10 September 2006 (opening preview Friday 28 July). Please call +44 (0)1843 297899 for more information.
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For press enquiries about ARRIVALS>CYPRUS please call Sara Dewsbery on +44 (0)1865 813813 or email sara.dewsbery@modernartoxford.org.uk
Note to Editors
Christodoulous Panayiotou was born in Limassol on the south-east coast of Cyprus in 1978. He trained in dance and performing arts in Lyon and in London. His finely tuned videos and sculptural installations are the result of carefully orchestrated yet ephemeral situations, generally involving the collaboration of others. He is especially interested in what he describes as “the amorous dialectic” – the contradictions of love and its associations with romantic myth and sentimentality.
His solo shows and performances include Slow dance marathon, Central Square of Tel Aviv, Tel Aviv (2006), Christodoulos Panayiotou Video Works, National Gallery of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Umjetnicka Galerija), Sarajevo (2006), Slow dance marathon, Residency of the Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Kalamaria, Thessaloniki (2005) Forever is gonna start tonight, Medieval Castle of Limassol, Limassol and You make me feel brand new, Archimede Staffolini Gallery, Nicosia (2004).
Group exhibitions include (selected) While we were sleeping, Platform-Garanti, Istanbul (2006) Sunday, The Gesture, Quarter, Centro Produzione Arte, Florence, 4th DESTE Prize, DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art, Athens, Accidental Meetings, The Nicosia Municipal Arts Center, Nicosia (2005), HyperLinks, Evagoras & Kathleen Lanitis Foundation, Limassol, Bodyworks, The Nicosia Municipal Arts Centre, Nicosia, 20 Rooms (St. George Lycabettus Hotel), Kappatos Gallery, Athens (2004). Panayiotou is currently in residence at Platform-Garanti in Istanbul. ARRIVALS>CYPRUS is the first exhibition of his work in the UK.
Panayiotou completed an MA/ MAITRISE in Performing Arts (Dance Department) / Arts du spectacle, University of Surrey, 2001-2003 / Universite Lumiere Lyon 2, receiving a scholarship from the French Government and the EU, and Dance Studies at the London Contemporary Dance School, 2001-2002. In 2005 Panayiotou was awarded the 4th DESTE Prize by the DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art, Athens, Greece for Truly, 2005.