Sphere Partners

11/12/2023

«I have been living on the island for a year, and since the beginning I asked myself - how is it possible to contribute to the local culture. It seems that with the foreigners look we could highlight some new accents in the familiar landscape.
 
We believe that learning the stories about the places where we live in, widens our life experience. And architecture is the most accessible type of art that surrounds us in our everyday life. But we don’t usually notice it running down the streets. We offer a closer look at the cities to discover the history of Cyprus and to reveal the personal stories behind the buildings».
 
Meet Lara Kotreleva, the partner and contributor to Sphere Space project, art historian and expert in museum management.

24/11/2023

Sphere Space Recommends: Visiting .severis.

The CVAR is a beautiful cultural space that hosts a permanent collection of paintings, objects and fashion in a chronological exhibition from the 17th century until the 20th.

To get there, you will first walk through the heart of the walled city in Nicosia, almost parallel to the border and that already awakens a vibrant curiosity about Cyprus within the context of it's history.

This is exactly what the CVAR provides.

You pay 5 euros for the entrance and you are ushered into the ground floor, the exhibition curls upwards 4 floors and you are likely to have the whole thing to yourself.

You will see paintings made by foreign visitors, hand painted advertisements, political cartoons, prints, etchings, traditional fashion, ornaments and later, photographs and newspaper articles.

There is something so truthful about seeing history through the imprint it has left in art and culture. The hundreds of perspectives of artists and collectors combine to create a socio-political portrait of Cyprus that spans 3 centuries.

There are hand painted maps that show a united Cyprus. Paintings of cities and rural areas before the touch of modernisation. Political cartoons published in French during the time of the Aglo-Turkish Convention as well as advertisements that market Cyprus to European tourists- in whatever way was most alluring at the time.

I fully recommend you spend some hours absorbing what this exhibition has to offer, walk through the walled city, see the border, sit, have a drink and embed within you a more rich understanding of why Cyprus is the way it is today CVAR - Severis Foundation

Text by Melissa Zanga

22/11/2023

Can you name the building by this distinctive detail? If you're a Larnaca local, you'll undoubtedly recognise it as the iconic police station.

Designed by the British architect and artist Robin Holliday Macartney, this is a testament to romantic aesthetics on the island. The Larnaca police station is a rare and significant example of Macartney's large-scale projects on the island. A connoisseur artist, he seamlessly blended influences from various eras. The intricately designed stone lancet arches pay homage to Ottoman architecture, drawing from Macartney's firsthand experiences in Turkey and Syria.

You can learn more about Macartney's artistic journey on our website: https://www.sphere.space/dot-route/larnaca-police-station

20/11/2023

Join us on a journey through the heart of Limassol with our special route – "1 km of Limassol: An Architectural ABC." In the images, you'll find glimpses from our one and only curated walk, unveiling the architectural treasures that Limassol holds. And you can embark on this adventure too, following the link: https://www.sphere.space/

Discover the hidden stories of the city, and experience the evolution of architecture on two of Limassol's streets in the Old Town. Once vibrant with the hustle of daily life, these streets now welcome students, tourists, and officials, embodying the city's diverse spirit.

Feel the pulse of the brisk 20th century as our website guides you through various architectural styles of the past, connecting the dots to the world's rich architectural history.

17/11/2023

Look who's making headlines! Our online architectural guide has caught the attention of a great local media – Parathyro.

We truly want to change the way you experience Cyprus's cities. Cyprus is brimming with remarkable, authentic, and stunning local architecture, especially from the modernism and art deco era. Unfortunately, some of these pieces of art have been hidden away, overshadowed, or forgotten.

But guess what? We're on a mission to change that. The Parathyro article provides an exclusive peek behind the scenes, offering you a glimpse into our design, goals, and vision.

If you're fluent in Greek, dive into the full article here: https://parathyro.politis.com.cy//features/architektoniki/709119/-sphere-space-cyprus-anakalyptontas-ta-dromakia-ton-architektonikon-istorion-toy-topoy

And whether you speak Greek, English, or Russian, embark on an architectural adventure with us at the Sphere Space website: https://www.sphere.space/

06/11/2023

During our recent event, we had some curious participants asking about the creative minds behind the design of Sphere Space. Meet the talented team of RZLT Agency!

Their extensive experience in branding, territory development, communications, and wayfinding systems has made them the perfect partner to bring Sphere Space to life. Follow RZLT.agency to discover more of their incredible work, and if you're ever in need of creative solutions, whether it's a production of a conference booth or designing a public space, you'll be in the right hands with their team.

06/11/2023

Last Saturday, we hosted a presentation in collaboration with Biennale Larnaca. It was an incredible celebration of art, culture, and architectural heritage, and we're thrilled to share some heartwarming pictures with you.

We'd like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the fantastic team at Dine Nation for adding a touch of culinary excellence to our event. Your contribution made the evening even more special!

Curious to see if you can spot yourself in the photos? Head over to our Facebook albums, where we've uploaded all the best moments.

06/11/2023

03/11/2023

Join us on November 4th for an enlightening evening as we dive into the world of contemporary art with Yev Kravt , the Curator of Larnaca Biennale 2023.

Yev will take the stage to share insights into modern art, unveil the captivating theme of "Home away from home," and introduce you to the extraordinary exhibitions, performances, and artworks that you cannot afford to miss.

This promises to be a night of artistic discovery and inspiration. Secure your free spot today by following the link: https://biennalelarnaca.com/event/exploringcyprus/. We can't wait to see you there!

Biennale Larnaca

02/11/2023

On November 4th, we're hosting a celebration at Limassol Castle to officially introduce our architectural guide. Follow the link to book your free spot: https://biennalelarnaca.com/event/exploringcyprus/

While you're awaiting Saturday to arrive, why not take a sneak peek at three of the routes we'll be talking about. Can you recognise the buildings in the collages and the streets on the maps?

30/10/2023

Meet Sergey Nikitin-Rimsky, , the visionary behind our architectural paths. Sergey is a city historian, a tireless activist, and an educator who has crafted projects for renowned festivals such as Bergamo Brescia Capitale di Cultura (2023), Bauhaus100 in Berlin (2019), London festival of Architecture. He has shared his knowledge with students at prestigious institutions around the world, including Higher school of Economics, Politecnico di Milano, Università di Verona, and Università Roma III. As the mastermind behind the incredible VeloNotte project, Sergey has elevated nocturnal urban cycling into a captivating blend of art and education.

“A few years ago, I had my first encounter with modern architecture in Cyprus—diverse, subtle authorial and vernacular, and completely unknown abroad; actually its value is not yet fully realized on the island. So I was very happy when Lara Kotreleva invited me to create an architectural guidebook. Thus began a great journey: research, meetings, consultations and eventually five thematic itineraries came out: different neighborhoods and eras of these two very different cities—Larnaca and Limassol.

These two cities are both experiencing rapid growth with the arrival of many expats and new investments. This is why I suggested to focus on the history of the 19th and 20th centuries, as many books have been written about the antiquities in Cyprus. I wanted to create basic itineraries of these cities, fitting their image into the big picture of world history and architecture. While working on the guidebook, I met many fascinating people - historians, architects, engineers, house owners. I dedicate this publication to all of them, hoping that the authorities and stakeholders will manage to preserve the charm of their wonderful cities”.

On November 4th, you'll have the opportunity to attend Sergey's special presentation on his research. Follow the link in bio to reserve your free spot!

Photu

26/10/2023

After months of hard work and dedication, we're thrilled to announce that Sphere Space's online architectural guide is nearing its official release!

Join us on 4th of November at Limassol Castle for a grand celebration as we unveil the hidden treasures of Cyprus's architectural heritage and modern art. Here's what you can look forward to:

Dr., Associate Professor Nikitin-Rimsky, the mastermind behind our unique routes, will share his fascinating research and reveal the architectural gems he's uncovered.

As part of the Larnaca Biennale Program, we're are also excited to have Yev Kravt, the Curator of Biennale, to introduce us to this year's program, featuring outstanding exhibitions and artists you won't want to miss.

Plus, enjoy refreshing drinks as you chat with fellow architecture and art enthusiasts. It's the perfect opportunity to connect and share your passion.

Participation is free. Simply click the link reserve your spot: https://biennalelarnaca.com/event/exploringcyprus/

See you there!