Nicosia International Airport 2016 ©
A strange beauty envelops the airport and it has developed a presence all of its own since the war of 1974. Vibrant usefulness has given way to it becoming a window into a past. One that sways between wishful thinking and of what may have become if Cypriots had developed a common vision. No prince will come to wake it with a kiss, and it will never open for business again. The buffer zone that separates Greek and Turkish Cypriots has become its protection from change. Under that protection the airport stands with confidence, with a story to tell and a message to give. History in this case imitates art installation.
A strange beauty envelops the airport and it has developed a presence all of its own since the war of 1974. Vibrant usefulness has given way to it becoming a window into a past. One that sways between wishful thinking and of what may have become if Cypriots had developed a common vision. No prince will come to wake it with a kiss, and it will never open for business again. The buffer zone that separates Greek and Turkish Cypriots has become its protection from change. Under that protection the airport stands with confidence, with a story to tell and a message to give. History in this case imitates art installation.
Once it was the main airport of Cyprus. Memories persist in people, like the childhood memories of walking through automatic doors that open as if by magic or of friends rushing toward a landed plane to greet returning relatives. Over time most of those who took sides in the conflict have died, generations of pigeons have made their home in departure and arrival halls and the state of the art architectural design is now splendid in its clean lines of mid-century modernity.
Peace keepers of the United Nations continue to patrol the buffer zone, and the airport facilities seem at appreciative peace with this protective care. The years of abandonment have taken a toll on the buildings, and on a few planes rusting in the open air. But the toll taken is only by the measure of broken windows, rusted steel and crumbling concrete. By the measure of adjustment to abandonment the airport artefacts have matured beautifully. This is now a installation that offers opportunity for the appreciation of structures, materials, shapes and colour. These present ideals of half a century ago and invite appreciation of a cultural landscape as well as reflection on the people of this island.
Peace keepers of the United Nations continue to patrol the buffer zone, and the airport facilities seem at appreciative peace with this protective care. The years of abandonment have taken a toll on the buildings, and on a few planes rusting in the open air. But the toll taken is only by the measure of broken windows, rusted steel and crumbling concrete. By the measure of adjustment to abandonment the airport artefacts have matured beautifully. This is now a installation that offers opportunity for the appreciation of structures, materials, shapes and colour. These present ideals of half a century ago and invite appreciation of a cultural landscape as well as reflection on the people of this island.