www.talkcyprus.org

[filio]

I don't know how many of our dear forum users have an artistic side even if you don't events like this should not go unnoticed.
(many bits of what follows are copy pasted)

Manifesta is a contemporary art biennial and it is the first significant initiative in the field of contemporary art responding to the changing political and social situation in Europe, after the end of the Cold War.
Its main aims are to create a platform for young artists and new forms of artistic expression; to stimulate collaboration and experiment; and to create a dialogue with the public. There have been 5 manifesta's so far (Amsterdam,Luxembourg, Slovenia, Frankfurt, Spain)Cyprus was chosen to be the following host of this exhibition.

Manifesta covers the entire territory of Europe, in the most generous interpretation of the term and is one of the few international art events to pay special attention to the expression of minority cultures and beliefs.
On each occasion a team of outside curators is working in closed consultation with representatives of the host city. In other words, each new edition aims to establish a close dialogue between a specific cultural and artistic situation and the broader context of international contemporary art.

you can find more information on:
http://www.manifesta.org/frame0.html
and
http://www.manifesta6.org.cy/
for applications for participation in the 3 month school next September
that will hopefully lead to the greatly anticipated "fine art academy of Cyprus "

[filio]

ok.. not too much interest on this one but here is another link.
http://www.nonstarvingartists.com/News/ImagedNewsItem.2005-02-14.0451.html

[cypezokyli]

i just received this email, and thought of sharing

Statement by Manifesta 6 curator F.W.



Quote: Dear All,



Unfortunately we have to inform you that Nicosia for Art decided yesterday night to terminate the contract of all three curators of Manifesta 6. At this point there is still a lot of confusion on what to do and how things will continue, but you should know that this is the end of M6 as it was planned by us. Recently we came under more and more political pressure regarding our aim to work also in the occupied north part of Nicosia. We refused to give in to this pressure as we believed that the school had to function completely independent and not as a political tool for either side. We put a lot of energy in this fight for autonomy, we tried to compromise and to solve the differences in a productive way. At this point we are really confused, disappointed and sad and we are sure you are as well. It is very unfortunate that all this time and energy has been wasted but we are still determined to realize the school and we hope to eventually see all of you and do something great together.

Good bye, and good luck.


F.W.

Curator

[cypezokyli]

this is from their website:

Quote: Subject The Manifesta has been cancelled - Unsigned Article from Phileleftheros front page (web / pdf edition) 2nd June 2006
Date 2 June 2006 14:01:41
From demetris_taliotis@yahoo.com

The M6 deal has been cancelled

From Phileleftheros (web edition: http://www.phileleftheros.com/main/main.asp?gid=136&id=412795) 2nd June 2006, Unsigned, front page


The M6, one of the grandest inernational cultural events, due in September in Nicosia, is being cancelled. According to verified information the repeated attempts of NFA to resolve the disagreements between IFM and M6 curatorial team have reached a dead end.
As we [Philelefheros] published yesterday NFA invited in writing IFM and the curators to a mediation meeting aiming to bridge the differences and avoid crisis. In view of that NFA representatives have already travled to Amsterdam. However both the curators (who have declined any calls for a mediation meeting) and IFM did not agree to the scheduled for today(Friday 2 June 2006) meeting.

The basic disagreement between the NFA, the IFM and the curators, stems out from the persistence of the curatorial team in going ahead with their plan to have part of the M6 School in the occupied territories, disregarding any legal difficulties and infringing specific rights NFA has been granted contractually.

We are aware that with the above mentioned dead-end now a fact NFA has last night canceled its contracts with both the IFM and all three curators - Mai Abu el Dahab, Anton Vidokle and Florian Waldvogel- due to the unilateral acts from al the above which infringed and tresspassed what had been collectively agreed. This was done in an attempt by NFA to avoid having M6 taking place under a non-agreed upon, illegal status. NFA will be exercising its legal rights and will be claiming compensation through Dutch and Cypriot courts.


Rough, quick and non-spelled checked translation by Demetris Taliotis
demetris_taliotis@yahoo.com

http://www.manifesta6.org.cy/forum.html?id=310


Quote: Subject Announcement by NFA, 2nd June 2006
Date 2 June 2006 17:18:31
From Nicosia for Arts Ltd.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY NFA

The President and the Board of Nicosia for Art Ltd. wish to make the following public announcement:

1. The Nicosia Municipality through Nicosia for Art (NFA) undertook the organization of Manifesta 6, the European Biennial of Contemporary Art in Nicosia. To this end the Municipality signed respective agreements with the International Foundation Manifesta (IFM) and a team of 3 Curators (Mr. Florian Waldvogel, Mr. Anton Vidokle and Mrs. Mai, Abu ElDahab).
2. During the implementation of the organization, which was initiated in 2004 a number of problematic issues had arisen for the resolution of which NFA and its Board have spared no effort.
3. Recently and contrary to the original concept of the Manifesta 6 program the Curatorial team insisted in the establishment and operation of an essential part of the Manifesta 6 school in the occupied part of Nicosia.
4. Through relevant correspondence, NFA and its Board, have made clear from the outset that the establishment and operation on a permanent basis of an essential part of the school in the occupied part of Nicosia apart from being in conflict with certain aspects of Cyprus and International Law, was also outside the ambit of the terms of the respective agreements and in breach of NFA’s contractual right to have autonomy in making decisions of this kind. The above was a major obstacle in the continuation and the realization of Manifesta 6.
5. NFA made repeated efforts to lift the above deadlock calling upon IFM for a discussion of the issues involved. NFA also called upon the Curatorial team to engage in mediation in accordance with the terms of the Curators’ contracts.
6. IFM declined to engage in immediate talks with the purpose of lifting the existing deadlock; the Curators also rejected any form of mediation. The above facts together with IFM’s decision in disputing NFA’s contractual right to have full autonomy in the decision with regards to the place of establishing and operating the school and of the Manifesta 6 program in general, led to an essential deadlock.
7. At the same time the Curators by way of statements to the Press and with written comments in the forum of the official website of Manifesta 6, made every effort in creating a political issue out of a purely legal matter. In addition to this, IFM’s official statement that it would unilaterally make the necessary arrangements for the operation of the Manifesta 6 school in the occupied part of Nicosia gave the Curators the “necessary” support in disputing NFA’s contractual rights and to continue in their effort to create a political issue out of a purely cultural event.
8. NFA considers the above actions of the Curators and of IFM as unilateral breaches of fundamental terms of their respective agreements with NFA. In addition NFA considers as unacceptable the effort of assigning political dimensions to a cultural event, which had as one of its primary aims the creation of a platform of cooperation between the two communities in Cyprus, within a spirit of solidarity and common understanding.
9. As a result, having exhausted all the possibilities to lift the ensuing deadlock, NFA with a view of protecting its contractual rights and in an effort to avoid organizing Manifesta 6 in contravention of the prevailing legal framework and the provisions of the respective agreements, terminated its agreements with IFM and the Curators Mr. Florian Waldvogel, Mr. Anton Vidokle and Mrs. Mai Abu ElDahab.
10. In order to safeguard its legal rights NFA has instructed its lawyers in Cyprus and in The Netherlands Zomenis & Leontiou and Houthoff Buruma N.V. to take all necessary steps to claim damages against both IFM and the team of Curators.


http://www.manifesta6.org.cy/forum.html?id=313

[cypezokyli]

some more info on the topic with just each side accusing the other.

http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=26192

[repulsewarrior]

Thanks for the info, interesting thread... politics imitating art?

[cypezokyli]

http://www.phileleftheros.com/main/main.asp?gid=134&id=414307

http://www.phileleftheros.com/main/main.asp?gid=134&id=413810&issuenum=16754

http://www.enet.gr/online/online_text/c=113

three more sources , in greek about the above failure.