CYENS Centre of Excellence participates in Culture Moves Europe, an initiative fostering mobility for artists and cultural professionals throughout Europe. Our proposal stood out as the sole choice from Cyprus along numerous European applications.
Culture Moves Europe, spanning 40 European countries, supports artists and cultural professionals. CYENS aims to make a significant impact with an intervention at Pournara camp, engaging four architects/designers to collaboratively design social installations.
What makes this project distinctive is its tailored response to the unique needs of young unaccompanied boys ages 14-17 residing at the Pournara refugee camp. Residents will actively contribute to the design process, ensuring that the installations address their specific requirements, fostering a sense of ownership.
Our goal is to create a humane environment by involving migrants in the design of a communal entertainment/sports area that directly responds to their needs.
CYENS provides support through mentoring, tools, and materials, aligning with our ethos of promoting creativity and innovation while addressing social issues for a more inclusive society.
Residency Phases – Activities – Timeline
Click each phase to explore the project’s progress.
Introduction to TMS (January – February)
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Our four resident artists Mateus, Sasha, Daly and Camila, under the mentorship of the TMS team, have been actively engaged in a multifaceted exploration of the Pournara Reception Centre. Their initial visits involved a comprehensive site analysis, where they used the TMS Media desk’s 360 camera to document existing facilities. Interactions with social workers from the Asylum Service and Social Welfare further provided valuable insights into the space’s main needs and glimpses into the daily lives of the boys.
The insights were materialized through the creation of a precise 1:50 scale site model, digitally fabricated using the laser cutter available at the main workshop of TMS. Last week marked a significant milestone as our resident artists presented the outcomes of their research during our first official internal presentation. Guided by the TMS team and mentors Calin Segal and Pedro Gil Farias, this session served as a pivotal moment for refining their direction and setting the course for the next steps in this transformative project.
Design Thinking & Design Directions (March – April)
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In Phase 2A of project, the team adopted an innovative and cost-effective approach to developing community spaces. After visiting the Nicosia Municipality Warehouse to assess the available leftover materials, they devised a creative intervention. Inspired by the concept of the “pixel,” designers and architects proposed a playful and colorful pavement for the central area between the containers. This vibrant addition was intended to foster a sense of community and visual interest. Additionally, they planned the creation of a callisthenics park to promote physical activity and provide a recreational outlet for the boys during their free time. This phase successfully blended creativity with resourcefulness, enhancing the communal environment while minimizing costs.
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In Phase 2B of project, the team faced a challenge as they were unable to obtain the materials from the Nicosia Municipality. This prompted a shift in direction, leading the team to focus on using low-cost materials to develop three main concepts:
Prototyping, Model Making & Testing (May – June)
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A few mentoring sessions took place to review the design proposals related to the installation at Pournara First Reception Centre. Following the feedback of a team of experts consisting of architects and civil engineers, the resident artists revisited the initial designs and suggested new proposals focusing on the implementation of a shaded area and a small calisthenics park.
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On Friday, 31.05, we held our first workshop at Pournara First Reception Centre with unaccompanied minors aged 14-17. The team had a meaningful exchange with the boys, presenting ideas and gathering their valuable feedback. Supported by social workers and translators, we bridged language gaps, translating from English to Somali and Arabic. The boys shared their experiences and envisioned improvements for the centre using scale models produced at Thinker Maker Space. We ended the day by creating wall drawings together, fostering bonds and creative expression. These drawings will inspire our next workshop on Friday, 07.06, where we’ll collaborate on a mural for one of the container walls.
Implementation & Installation at Pournara (July – August)
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We have entered Phase 4 of the CampScape project, moving forward with the implementation and installation of the proposed idea. The wood logs, which will form the main structure, arrived and were unloaded in the wood workshop at Thinker Maker Space. We are excited to finally start the hands-on work!
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The residents are currently working on the main log structure that will soon be installed at the Pournara Reception Centre. Other preparations related to the implementation of the designated area are also taking place in parallel to the assembly process.
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Last Friday, August 9th marked the conclusion of the CampScape Project and the 6-month residency of our four resident artists. After a period of intense effort, the resident artists successfully completed the installation, which was then transferred and installed in the dedicated area “C” for young unaccompanied minors at Pournara. In addition to the installation, a mural was also completed with the support of the camp’s residents.
We want to thank everyone who contributed to this project over the past six months. It was a challenging journey, but we are proud of the outcomes, and we hope this initiative improves the quality of life for the boys at the refugee camp.
Finally, we wish the four resident artists who brought this idea to life all the best as they move forward.
This work was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.
