Greek-Cypriot Locality: (Re) Defining our Understanding of European Modernity

Elena Stylianou, Nicos Philippou

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

This chapter begins by making reference to the image of Cypriot identity, constructed by colonial discourse and various travelers, photographers, geographers, and pseudo-anthropologists in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. While artistic practices from mid-twentieth century onwards were apparently in close dialogue with both local artists' studies in Europe and with the mainstream European avant-gardes, the earlier artistic practices on the island also tell of the beginnings of an alternative modernity in an area still defining its identity on the margins of Europe. The chapter identifies three main forces that have influenced the emergence of this contentious alternative modernity: British colonialism; Greek nationalism; and an organized Left and labor movement. Some references to vernacular photography and wider vernacular culture will also be made to further trace Cypriot modernity and its relation to the established orthodox narratives of European modernity.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationA Companion to Modern Art
PublisherWiley-Blackwell
Pages339-358
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9781118639948
ISBN (Print)9781118639849
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Dec 2016

Keywords

  • Alter-modernity
  • British colonialism
  • European avant-gardes
  • European modernity
  • Greek nationalism
  • Greek-Cypriot Locality
  • Labor movement
  • Societal modernization
  • Vernacular photography

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