Sweet Suite
Larnaka, Cyprus
Larnaka, Cyprus
2011
SweetSuite was created for the site-sensitive group exhibition entitled BRIDE, acelebrative event of the 500th anniversary since the death of Caterina Cornaro,the Venetian noblewoman, who was Queen of Cyprus at the end of the fifteenthcentury. The exhibition took place inside the Medieval Fort in Larnaka, a finepiece of military architecture set in a wonderful seascape. The exhibition ideafocused on a particularly happy segment of Caterina’s life: the moment inwhich, coming in Cyprus for the first time as an eighteen-years old bride, shegot acquainted both with the husband she had married by proxy four yearsearlier in Venice, and with the wonderful landscape of the Mediterraneanisland. Though, historical facts prove that Caterina arrived in 1472 inFamagusta, not in Larnaka, and she settled in a small, harsh and entirely militarybuilding like the Larnaka Fort.
However,the exhibition didn’t have as a priority the historical literal reconstruction,but only the symbolic idea of celebrating a new luxurious life.
SweetSuite along with the other exhibits of BRIDE, is expressly conceived for thissite, focusing on the idea of “soft” sculpture, and on a new approach tocontemporary art, friendly and narrative instead of a hostile and hidden one, soas often it is the case.
Sweet Suite is an ephemeral installationconsisting of 15.000 golden birds placed all over the medieval fort of Larnakalike an allegorical royal procession waiting for an important happening. Everybird has two faces – the exterior one is golden and very polished, recallingthe opulence of a royal decoration, but also a spiritual status like of an iconographicimage. The interior side of the bird is printed with a raw mincemeat pattern,enhancing the idea of the vanishing nature of matter. These two contrastinganatomic aspects of the bird create an intense dialogue with the viewer who, atfirst doesn’t understand what’s inside the bird, but observes only its goldensurface. The idea of using golden birds in a procession came along afterthinking about the striking effect I had when seeing the Magical Bird ofBrancusi. It was mesmerizing, but somehow bodiless. The golden paper birds Icreated for Sweet Suite are a tribute to Magical Bird, but in a physical, rawway, focusing on the duplicitous nature of things. The installation intends tohave two effects on the visitor: one should feel surrounded and overwhelmed bythe number of these waiting golden birds, but also should feel celebrative andcontemplative about the luxurious royal condition.
However,the exhibition didn’t have as a priority the historical literal reconstruction,but only the symbolic idea of celebrating a new luxurious life.
SweetSuite along with the other exhibits of BRIDE, is expressly conceived for thissite, focusing on the idea of “soft” sculpture, and on a new approach tocontemporary art, friendly and narrative instead of a hostile and hidden one, soas often it is the case.
Sweet Suite is an ephemeral installationconsisting of 15.000 golden birds placed all over the medieval fort of Larnakalike an allegorical royal procession waiting for an important happening. Everybird has two faces – the exterior one is golden and very polished, recallingthe opulence of a royal decoration, but also a spiritual status like of an iconographicimage. The interior side of the bird is printed with a raw mincemeat pattern,enhancing the idea of the vanishing nature of matter. These two contrastinganatomic aspects of the bird create an intense dialogue with the viewer who, atfirst doesn’t understand what’s inside the bird, but observes only its goldensurface. The idea of using golden birds in a procession came along afterthinking about the striking effect I had when seeing the Magical Bird ofBrancusi. It was mesmerizing, but somehow bodiless. The golden paper birds Icreated for Sweet Suite are a tribute to Magical Bird, but in a physical, rawway, focusing on the duplicitous nature of things. The installation intends tohave two effects on the visitor: one should feel surrounded and overwhelmed bythe number of these waiting golden birds, but also should feel celebrative andcontemplative about the luxurious royal condition.
Title
SWEET SUITE
Technique
offsetprint on laminated cardboard
15.000pieces
variabledimensions
Year
2011
SWEET SUITE
Technique
offsetprint on laminated cardboard
15.000pieces
variabledimensions
Year
2011
