Unoccupied - Cyprus

Overview

This project was born from the curiosity I have for this island as we would land into the south of the island to travel to the north. The island has a turbulent and unique history, as it is divided in two (North - Turkish Cypriot and South - Greek Cypriot) and there is an uncertain truce between the two countries (as no peace treaty has ever been officially signed between them). As we entered the north part of the island the border crossing regularly had UN peacekeeper transports stationed there, and I was told that either side sees the other as an unauthorised occupational force. Northern Cyprus has abandoned buildings scattered throughout the countryside, and these two themes led to the name of the project being called ‘Unoccupied’.