XORKO Collaborative Arts Movement was a cultural and artists' movement based in

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is geo ...

that began on November 15, 2011, originally by Evagoras Bekiaris and Nico Stephou. XORKO in

Cypriot Greek Cypriot Greek ( el, κυπριακή ελληνική or ) is the Varieties of Modern Greek, variety of Modern Greek that is spoken by the majority of the Cyprus, Cypriot populace and Greek Cypriot diaspora. It is considered a divergent dialect ...

translates to village. The word was used metaphorically as a way to promote the idea of an environment similar to one that can be found in a village; and hence to create a sense of belonging between the members of the movement. Artistic liberation being a main aim of XORKO, was seen by the movement as only possible within a framework that could facilitate a roof for Cypriot artists to collaborate in a "Do It Together" context, where XORKO acts as a platform/roof enabling all members to expand themselves in the context of art collaborations and not limit their art to just their personal forms of expression. XORKO promoted the notions of

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...

ing and no sponsoring, opposing the "industrialization of music" implemented by multinational

record labels A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is also a publishing company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the produc ...

and other companies that promote the

commodification Within a capitalist economic system, commodification is the transformation of things such as goods, services, ideas, nature, personal information, people or animals into objects of trade or commodities.For animals"United Nations Commodity Trad ...

of art. XORKO produced compilations with various music artists through this collaboration process, which it uploaded and distributed through

SoundCloud SoundCloud is an online audio distribution platform and music sharing website that enables its users to upload, promote, and share audio. Founded in 2007 by Alexander Ljung and Eric Wahlforss, SoundCloud is one of the largest music streaming se ...

. While XORKO had held various art events since its formation, it received wider coverage after holding two

art festivals at

Arminou Arminou ( gr, Αρμίνου) is a village in the Paphos District of Cyprus, located 5 km north of Salamiou on the F617 road from Filousa to Mandria. The village is on the Dhiarizos River which is second in terms of flow river in Cyprus. The ...

village in July 2012 and August 2013, ran by

volunteers Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve ...

References

Cypriot art DIY culture Lists of organisations based in Cyprus {{Cyprus-stub