Coastline(s) Waning: All for a few extra Sunbeds

Over the past year, artists Nurtane Karagil and Korallia Stergides embarked on a compelling and thought provoking campaign, strategically designed to kindle awareness amongst both governing authorities, stakeholders and a seemingly indifferent public about the critical environmental challenges confronting the island's coastal areas. Billboards and Bus Ads showcasing the Nurtane Karagil’s hyper collages were widespread across Cyprus, seamlessly intersecting between art and advertisement, her childlike approach, brought forth playful images that tackle pressing issues affecting our coastal areas. While Korallia Stergides with her video performance embodied “Korallida”, the biggest walking red flag in Cyprus, subverting the blue flag of our supposedly and proudly deemed clear beaches.

Concept The campaign stands as a poignant critique and commentary on the perilous environmental predicament surrounding the coastlines of Cyprus. It serves as a visual manifesto, urging individuals to transcend apathy and take concrete actions, fostering a resolute commitment to protect and preserve our environment. At the heart of this campaign lies a paradoxical narrative that unfolds against the backdrop of recent years witnessing the so-called "reconstruction" of Cyprus's coastline. Driven by an insatiable quest for increased profits and tourism revenue, this transformation has witnessed the relentless levelling of sand dunes, removal of natural rock formations, and the wanton destruction of tall grasses, resulting in the irrevocable loss of natural habitats and the fundamental transformation of the island's pristine landscape. Iconic beaches, once revered for their untouched beauty, now bear the scars of a destructive trend, all in the pursuit of a few extra sunbeds and amenities, with an unconscionable toll on our environment. Through art and activism, the artists aspire to cultivate a heightened consciousness that propels a paradigm shift towards sustainable practices and, in turn, nurtures a renewed symbiosis between humanity and nature.

Organizers Coastlines Waning is implemented by Visual Voices in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation.

Credits Nurtane Karagil: Artist, Korallia Stergides: Artist, Nicolas Karatzas: Photography & Video Production, Ozan Tezvaran: Graphic Design, Animations

Supporters Enalia Physis Environmental Research Centre, AKTI Project and Research Centre, MASDER, and Cyprus Marine & Maritime Institute (CMMI) for their invaluable contributions through their collaborative engagement with workshops.