Giorgos Papadopoulos is one of the most productive architects in Limassol, whose work are part of the everyday experiences of those living or visiting the city. Still, his projects are not — as one would expect from an architect — buildings, but mostly decorative installations and various kinds of setting, mostly related with cultural or arts events.
Skinotechniki, the company Giorgos Papadopoulos runs, has been undertaking for decades the decoration of central spots in the city, along with theater settings, popular Greek and Cypriot TV shows backgrounds, as well as exhibitions and large malls in Limassol and other cities in Cyprus. The portfolio of the company includes some of the most popular Christmas decorations at Agios Nicolas roundabout, as wall as at Grigoris Afxentiou Square, at the Limassol District building, as well as some of the decorations for the Limassol Carnival (such as the Carnival Queen chariot).
The renewal of the Christmas decor at Agios Nicolaos roundabout, which brought both positive and negative commentary, was the occasion for Giorgos Papadopoulos to talk about his work all these decades in the city, presenting the way through which the festive image of Limassol has evolved these past years.The popular, gigantic Santa that gor burned down, the latest decorational synthesis at the roundabout, the Christmas tree at Aneksartisias street and the new chariot for the Limassol Carnival 2018, all of these have their own backstage stories and this unstoppable architect elaborates on them all.
There could not be another Santa Claus, after the first one was burnt down…
…because the comparison would be unfortunate. That Santa Claus was a truly large construction and its successor should have had been a huge one, otherwise it would seem too cheap. When you create something impressive, you get people used to great things. After all, since the city keeps growing and getting more beautiful, the expectations are growing with it.
The first half was set up in the first year and it was completed in the second one, so people could see it evolving and growing. I think that this is what made people love it and get attached to it. Some parents told me that they used to take their kids on a ride around the roundabout to put them to sleep.
…even if the design was richer that last year’s. Some material from the storage of the Municipality were put in use, remodeled and fixed in a way that they would fit the setting with the presents and toys.
…since people who could observe a little better after a while, changed their mind. The decoration of Agios Nicolaos roundabout had a lot of details. One needs to take a good look of these details to notice them. Of course, when we design something like this, we do take in account the speed with which cars pass by this spot, so that the image can be captured be one’s eyes. Such a decoration could never be located on one of the roundabouts on the highway.
…then a construction is shown in a better light. This applies in the case of this particular decoration, with white elements on the foreground, to brighten up the setting and remind of snow, while the center of the synthesis hosts elements with bolder or darker colors, which consist the details of the decoration. One’s eye will pass from the larger surfaces to the smaller ones, to gradually discover the whole concept. Thus, people do not get bored with it.
A bold color on a large surface may be impressive, but what makes it richer in feelings generated by its view is the diversity and the changing images. This is why the decoration has revolving elements, to result in different images, depending on the point of view and the elements showing or hiding eachtime.
…because it should please the people who see it, in order for your client to be happy, too. I do like to create modern designs, but this is not always what people likes. Thus, it was twice as pleasing to hear positive comments on this year’s decoration at Agios Nicolaos roundabout.
The first time we designed a Christmas tree for the square was in 1995. It was quite traditional, with branches that looked real, decorated with ribbons. The tree that decorates the square now is certainly more impressive. Some may find it too bright or too modern, but what they don’t know is that the decorations were inspired by the traditional embroidering on the corners of the Cypriot male custom vests.
The tree will probably change, because it is already worn off. Apart from that, though, we also thought of creating glass windows – like the ones the shops have – with images from the way Cyprus traditionally spends the holidays. We also want to create some kind of a cavity under the tree, which could be the setting of all the festive events taking place at the square these days.
Skinotechniki will set up the chariot of the Royal Couple for the Carnival of 2018, which is inspired by the deck of playing cards. A large Joker will be the main feature, with a mechanism that will allow it to move. Our proposal for the decoration at Agios Nicolaos roundabout – even if the project has not been awarded to anyone yet – follows the guidelines of the demand for a synthesis with bright colors. Thus, we chose to design a complex of colorful, large serpantines on a revolving mechanism, which will create the impression of their movement when falling from the air on the ground.
A stranger to most, Giorgos Papadopoulos 'speaks' to Limassolians through his works.
White contrasts with bold colors.
Details from the decorations at Agios Nicolaos roundabout.
Details from the decorations at Agios Nicolaos roundabout.
Details from the decorations at Agios Nicolaos roundabout.
Details from the decorations at Agios Nicolaos roundabout.
Details from the decorations at Agios Nicolaos roundabout.
At Skinotechniki workshop
Giorgos Papadopoulos is one of the Limassolians who achieved an international career, having designed the settings for popular shows on Greek TV, such as the “Wheel of forune”, “Fotis and Maria”, “The weakest link”, for the competition of “Junior Eurovision 2008”, as well as the news background for the international channel of Al Jazeera and the exhibition in Patras for the institution of the European Capital of Culture in 2004. The important thing, though, is that Limassol remains his base, his main area of action and his main concern, where he never stops producing new ideas and envisioning the image of the city. Thus, even though there will always be those who will agree or oppose to the result, the sure thing is that we still have a lot beautiful things to expect from this architect.
