Phytorio Art Platform Nicosia
Phytorio is an artist-run platform and exhibition space housed in a distinctive modernist building within the Nicosia Municipal Gardens. The space serves as both a gallery and headquarters for the Visual Artists and Art Theorists Association, an organization established to advocate for professional artists in Cyprus. The name translates to "plant nursery" in Greek, which reflects the building's original purpose and its current role as a nurturing ground for artistic practice. From Municipal Nursery to Cultural Space The story of Phytorio begins with architect Neoptolemos Michaelides, who designed the building in 1969 as part of his broader plan for the Nicosia Municipal Gardens. Michaelides studied at Milan Polytechnic in the 1940s and became known for blending modern architectural principles with local materials and traditional building methods. His design for the municipal gardens included this small structure intended to function as the garden's plant nursery. The building fell into disrepair over the following decades. In 2006, a small group of independent artists founded what was initially called the Visual Artists Association, focused on creating better working conditions for self-employed artists in Cyprus, particularly regarding social security and pension rights. Four years later, in 2010, the Municipality of Nicosia granted the association use of the abandoned nursery building. The artists restored the space at their own expense, with private donations exceeding 55,000…
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