A Project for Environmental Awareness
𝑳𝙤𝒐𝙠 𝙬𝒉𝙖𝒕’𝒔 𝒉𝙖𝒑𝙥𝒆𝙣𝒊𝙣𝒈!’ Artist Nurtane Karagil did it again! Her unsparingly honest and overtly no-nonsense style is bringing key challenges, faced across the island, to the forefront of our social dialogue.
This time as a collaborating artist for the Visual Voices campaign “𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞(𝐬) 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐅𝐞𝐰 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐬” she wakes us up to our complicity in the destruction of coastlines across the island!
Billboards and Bus Ads showcasing the artist’s hyper collages are widespread across Cyprus. Seamlessly intersecting between art and advertisement, her approach brings forth playful images that tackle pressing issues affecting our coastal areas.
As she states, “the predominant scene, across the island, is resembling a dystopian simulation of a Sim City game. A playground marked by a noticeable absence of care or awareness of the complexity of life in general. In the pursuit of rapid profit, seemingly flawless advertisements may portray pristine seas, yet they shield a harsh reality.”
“The series I’ve created serves as a portrayal of the unfolding reality, drawing from a collective memory rooted in ecological consciousness. It reflects on, and frames the experiences of Cyprus Coastlines that we witness on a daily basis.” (Nurtane Karagil, 2023)
The campaign reaches the whole island of Cyprus, also with artist Korallia Stergides as a collaborating artist. Her character Korallida will be making a splash with upcoming interventions!
𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞(𝐬) 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠: is a critique/commentary on the dire environmental situation faced in Cyprus. The project highlights the effects of human greed and indifference to the natural environment, particularly when it comes to political and economic interests that lead to the destruction of our coastal ecosystem.
This is nowhere clearer than the ‘Tourism Paradox’ where in recent years, the coastline has undergone “reconstruction”, driven by a desire for a little extra profit and tourism revenue. Sand dunes have been leveled, natural rock formations removed, tall grasses slashed, etc., all leading to the loss of natural habitats and the alteration of the island’s natural landscape. Iconic beaches all around the island have been affected by this destructive trend. All for a few extra sunbeds, at the expense of our environment!
We urge the public to join the movement by spotting the billboards when passing by and sharing a post with their own reflections on the state of our coastal areas. Tag Visual Voices, Nurtane Karagil, and Korallia Stergides social media for a reshare!
Let’s all join forces to safeguard the island’s ecology!
The campaign is scheduled to continue with additional activities until May 2024, featuring the ongoing participation of the two distinguished artists in residence for this project: Korallia Stergides and Nurtane Karagil.
Coast Lines Waning is implemented in cooperation with the Allianz Foundation
Photos: Nikolas Karatzas
