Visual artist PASHIAS visits the archaeological collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, to initiate a study on artefacts ranging from the Neolithic to the Late Roman period, specifically the amphorae, housed in the Cyprus wing.
PASHIAS brings forth a parallel connection between the human body and the clay body. A spherical volume as the belly, side handles as arms, a narrow neck and a mouth. The parallel associations move beyond imagery and visual parameters, equating the body and the amphora with universal vessels – carrying, safekeeping and spilling substances, materialities, ideas, experiences and cultural values.
On Saturday morning, 2nd of March, PASHIAS presents the live performance “KUZA” commissioned by the Cultural Section of the Cyprus High Commission, exhibiting the live body next to, near and in conversation with the antiquity vitrines and the museum’s architectural features.
In the Cypriot dialect, the vase or jar used to carry liquids is referred to as the ‘kuza’ (κούζα), most likely derived from the ancient Greek ‘kivi’ (κύβη) meaning head. PASHIAS’ skull transforms into a clay artefact, a fragmented vessel, a piece of our history that can only be complete once connected to the rest of the human body. Standing and resting, strong and fragile, withstanding the passage of time and withered.
The live performance “KUZA”, part of PASHIAS’ long-standing research into museological collections, brings forth the significance of Cyprus’ heritage, reconnecting historical evidence with the present. This artistic research has taken part at Musée des Augustins for the “Festival Ιnternational d’Art de Toulouse” (2014), the archaeological collection of the Acropolis Museum for “PAS – Performance Art Studies” (2015), the archaeological collection of George & Nefeli Giabra Pierides at Bank of Cyprus Cultural Foundation (2017), the Christophoros Savva artwork collection at State Gallery of Contemporary Cypriot Art (2018), the Michalis Michaeledes artwork collection at A. G. Leventis Gallery (2020) and the archives of Phivos Stavrides Foundation – Larnaca Archives (2021).
Performance Curator: Dr. Dimitris Venizelos
Performance Advisor & Curator of Ancient Mediterranean – Fitzwilliam Museum: Dr. Anastasia Christophilopoulou
Cultural Counsellor of Cyprus High Commission: Marios Theocharous
More Info: www.pashias.art/kuza – www.culturalchc.co.uk
