4Rooms Artist Residency Launches on Greek Island of Kastellorizo

The 4Rooms artist residency has opened on Kastellorizo (also known as Megisti), the smallest and most remote of the Greek Dodecanese islands, located near the Turkish coast. The project is the latest initiative of contemporary art collector Silvia Fiorucci and her non-profit association Società delle Api, co-founded with curator Cristiano Raimondi. Following the 5Rooms residency in Grasse, France (2018), 4Rooms transforms a former sponge merchant's home into four distinct bedrooms designed by international designers: Studio Brynjar & Veronika, Phanos Kyriacou, Julie Richoz, and UND.Studio. A selection committee including designer Michael Anastassiades, ECAL Lausanne director Alexis Georgacopoulos, and author-curator Annalisa Rosso chose the designers. Sustainability and recycling became key themes due to supply difficulties on the remote island. French studio Superpoly (Antoine Grulier and Thomas Dufour) designed common areas inspired by fishing nets. Studio Brynjar & Veronika created a dreamlike room with terracotta and blue colors, including an Icelandic crystal for navigation. Phanos Kyriacou worked with archetypes like canopy beds and cupboards, using Cypriot artisans. Julie Richoz focused on local costumes and textiles, using found objects. UND.Studio's room 'Chimere' features a swinging loft bed and submarine-inspired bathroom. References include local mathematician Pantazis Houlis, founder of the Puzzle and Enigmas Museum on the island.