MONTH IN REVIEW: February 2026
A roundup of this past month’s art and design news about the makers and creators from Greece and Cyprus
By: Sophia
Frida Kahlo Exhibit Opened in Athens
The Hellenic Cosmos Center in Athens opened Frida Kahlo: Beyond the Icon, the Immersive Experience, an international installation that delves deeply into Kahlo’s work. Utilizing multi-sensory experiences, poetic storytelling, and the latest digital technologies such as 3D projections, and Virtual Reality, visitors can examine moments and forces that shaped Kahlo’s passions and artistry. The experience offers opportunities for interactive play, including crafting stations and a photo booth that utilizes Artificial Intelligence.
This format allows art lovers to be enveloped by Kahlo’s visions, giving them an embodied experience of the colors and shadows that shaped her life and repertoire. Visitors are given a space where it feels possible to carry the resilience and fierce celebration of humanity that Frida so boldly expressed.
An Exhibition Showcasing Cypriot Artifacts Opened at the Louvre
The Louvre opened a new exhibit featuring ancient artifacts from Cyprus. The museum’s Department of Near Eastern Antiquities selected sixteen pieces on loan from the Department of Antiquities in Cyprus. Included in the exhibition are idols and figurines from the Chalcolithic period (Copper Age) and the Bronze Age. Visitors get a unique look into the history of the island and how trade, ancient technologies, and cultural blending shaped the objects of the region. The displays are enhanced with audio storytelling elements, with recordings of poetry by George Seferis and Konstantinos Kavafis. The exhibit extends through late June 2026.
Sculpture Unveiled at Acclaimed Athens Hotel
The Dolli at Acropolis, a boutique hotel in Athens, adorned its facade with matching golden eye sculptures, which frame its grand entrance. Designed by British artist Michael McDonough, the piece brings 3D, animation, and experiential design to life.
The eyes were originally part of Pauline Karpidas’ collection of surrealist art, and was part of her auction at Sotheby’s this past September. The connection to collector Karpidas comes as no surprise, as the existing marble sculptures beneath the newly installed eyes were once featured in her home on Hydra.
In 2024, The Dolli became the first Greek hotel to receive the Special Prize for an Exterior at the Prix Versailles awards. With the Acropolis as its centerpiece, The Dolli highlights Greek symbols and history, and the new sculptural addition is no exception, serving as a nod to the prevalent evil eye symbol seen across the region.
Aimé Leon Dore Launched its SS26 Collection with Artwork by Alekos Fassianos
Aimé Leon Dore released its SS26 lookbook including clothing, accessories, and homeware adorned with motifs and drawings from Greek painter Alekos Fassianos, as well as collaborations with athletic brands New Balance and Technics.
Founder Teddy Santis brings his Greek heritage to the forefront of this collection — nothing unusual — by partnering with the estate of one of the most prolific Greek artists of modern times. Fassianos’ signature flattened figures along with his portrayals of mythic characters and iconic Hellenic symbols such as suns and doves, adorn many of the pieces in the collection, bringing a sense of Greek craft and creativity into both the home and everyday fashion.
Shop the collection here.
New Developments Unveiled for Larnaca’s Seaside Expansion
The Land of Tomorrow includes three private projects that will bring parks, recreation, and leisure spaces to the city, as well as The Art Center, a community complex that the government secured as part of the development deal. The entirety of the scheme is broken out into three Phases: Phase I tackles erosion and creates a park along the beach; Phase II involves a redevelopment of the Archangelos-Kamitsi river bed and coastal road into a Greek space for pedestrians; and Phase III builds a network of pedestrian and cycling paths. The Art Center, designed by Foster + Partners, however, is expected to be open before Larnaca becomes the European Capital of Culture in 2030.
Most of these projects are behind schedule, still waiting for permits. Simultaneously, the town is fighting the plans in hopes there can be more gentle interventions of the coast and greater access to public beaches rather than just newly developed promenades and parks.
The large-scale art and design center includes a large concert hall intended to attract international operas and orchestras, a theatrical stage, and two exhibition spaces. The design center will combine traditional Cypriot crafts with modern technology, serving as a hub for training and workshops for a variety of artists. Although there have been challenges securing permits and disagreements over what this new development should prioritize, The Land of Tomorrow promises new opportunities and a focus on ecological legacy.
A Study About Ancient Statues Reveals They Were Not Only Painted but Also Perfumed
Archaeologist Cecilie Brøns led research that found new evidence that Greek and Roman statues were not only painted but also perfumed. Using ancient text and trace physical evidence, the study found that these statues were multisensory experiences that immersed ancient communities in religious ritual. The sanctuary of Delos listed olive oil, beeswax, and rose as perfumes that would have been used on the towering statues as an act of devotion. This practice not only served as a step in religious events but also protected the surface of the stone and added a glimmering sheen to its surface. A fragment from the Greek poet Callimachus mentions the statue of Queen Berenice II of Egypt, who was anointed with perfumes.
