Remnants of a Dialogue
In today’s urban landscapes, the use of public space is increasingly shaped by invisible lines that restrict movement, assembly, and the free expression of thought. As we trace these lines, we uncover a larger narrative about our times, where democratic practices of speech, debate, and collective gathering are met with limitations. Inspired by ekklesiasterion—spaces where citizens gathered for performances and public assemblies—Remnants of a Dialogue draws attention to the unfulfilled potential of such spaces in the present day.
This project explores the intersection of past and present through the metaphor of physical traces. Stone seats, arranged in a demilune shape to evoke the ancient theaters, are exhibited not as functional objects, but as suspended relics. Hanging on the wall, they are out of reach, symbolizing the loss of spaces where people once gathered to share ideas. These stone traces ask us to reflect: what happens when the lines of our movement and expression are severed?
The stone seats, reminiscent of ancient ruins, invite viewers to observe the remnants of past freedoms through a museum display. The installation raises questions about the restrictions placed on public assembly and speech today, provoking contemplation on how these lines —once open and accessible— have shifted, leaving traces of what was once possible.
Concept: Liana Kuyumcuyan
Production: Mert Öztekin & Liana Kuyumcuyan
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The project is currently exhibited at Apothiki 79 as a part of the 4th Larnaca Biennale, between 15 October - 28 November 2025.
Artwork description by the 4th Larnaca Biennale curator Sana Lopez Abellan:
At the base of democracy in Ancient Greece lay the physical space of the ekklesiasterion. This was the site where meetings about public matters took place, often designed to accommodate thousands of citizens. Usually, they were round or semicircular open-air structures with seating in stone, tiered for better visibility and acoustics.
Remnants of a Dialogue explores the growing restrictions on assembly and free speech in today’s public spaces. By placing the ekklesiasterion against the wall, making it impossible to sit on, the work emphasizes the difficulty of accessing true democratic say in decisions that concern us.
Even with much to criticize about the actual value of these assemblies, since women, slaves, and foreigners were excluded from participation or voting, it is still useful to reflect on how the loss of public spaces and structures like these shapes our current state.
The artists have made an interesting shift of context in this allusion to that arena, one that leads to a beautiful conversation to be had while standing up and in front of the work. Maybe not between thousands, but let’s start with a small group, a dialogue.