Manda-la in Cyprus

Manda-la in Cyprus by Usami Masahiro

When Paphos was European Capital of Culture, in 2017, we hosted the Japanese artist Masahiro Usami at the Home for Cooperation. In Japan, Usami developed a project inspired by traditional Buddhist mandalas, depicting individuals and their social backgrounds within the same image.

Inspired by this project, Usami embarked on a similar endeavor in Cyprus. Spending nearly a year engaging with the country’s divided regions of North, South, and the Green Line, Usami interviewed Cypriots about their life on the island before and after the division. The artist chose to focus on stories of people who spoke of friendship and respect between Greek and Turkish Cypriots and who expressed an optimistic message about the future of Cyprus. A full testimonial about Usami’s time in Cyprus can be read εδώ

A number of people responded to the open call for volunteers to take part in the photo shoot and participate in the mandala, supporting the main selected characters in Usami’s compositions.

The resulting photographs symbolized the country’s history and resilience, reflecting a collaborative process and embodying hope for Cyprus’s future beyond the initial vision. The project was curated by Elia Neophytou in close collaboration and communication with the team of Pafos2017 and with the support of the EU-Japan Fest Japan Committee. The project was showcased at two exhibitions, one in Nicosia at the Home for Cooperation and the other in Paphos, under the umbrella of Pafos2017, the European Capital of Culture.