Introducing t.a.s.©: A Renaissance of Art in Cyprus' Lefkara Village

Lefkara's craftsmanship, inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010, has long been celebrated. It was in this village that da Vinci was so enchanted by the local embroidery that he integrated it into his masterpiece, "The Last Supper." This rich tapestry of history provides a breathtaking backdrop for t.a.s.©, crafting an experiential journey for its visitors.

Artist Julian Epok and entrepreneur Christoph Pliessnig are the visionaries behind t.a.s.©. They have conceived it as more than just an art space. Epok describes t.a.s.© as a "renaissance spaceship celebrating the old and the new, vanity with depth." It's a transformative experience that seamlessly marries the island's soul with a modern heartbeat.

t.a.s.© boldly houses a variety of mediums: paintings, sculptures, installations, and even immersive experiences like dance and music. Yet, it doesn’t stop there. Reflecting the spirit of the island, a Capsule Collection of fashion and accessories has been curated, capturing the essence and rugged charm of the Mediterranean landscape.

Inspired by the iconic Parisian store, Colette Mon Amour, t.a.s.© has even ventured into olfactory artistry. For its inauguration, the studio launched an exclusive perfume, encapsulating the very essence of the island's charm. This fragrance evolves as an emblem, an extension of the gallery's commitment to engaging all the senses.

The decision to nestle t.a.s.© within Lefkara was a conscious one and an obvious choice for the first in a series of global spaces envisioned by Epok and Pliessnig. The village, with its melding of rural charm and UNESCO-recognized craftsmanship, creates an unexpected yet delightful contrast to the contemporary, minimalist aura of the gallery. It’s this balance that t.a.s.© champions - paying homage to those who laid the village's artistic foundations while paving the way for the new generation of creatives.

t.a.s.© isn’t merely a gallery; it's an emotion, a lifestyle. It embodies a look, a feel, a scent, and above all, a profound connection to its Cypriot roots. Through its doors, the Mediterranean Sea's imagination flows, and the legacy of Lefkara finds a new, contemporary voice.

Lefkara's storied past meets contemporary art with t.a.s.©. How do you strike a balance between reverence and revolution?

Julian Epok: “This village has an immense energy. Moving into the Cypriot mountains, we asked ourselves how we can strive on that feeling and actually do something with it. The reverence of this village is still very much embodied in the people who live here, in the buildings, the churches… Rather than to start a revolution we want to give back and create a dialogue. We have both found a very sacred new center of our lives up here and see this as a chance to make a cultural impact on this island and push the envelope.”

Julian, graffiti streets to gallery halls: how has this journey sculpted the curation at t.a.s.©?

Julian Epok: "My work has always been very eclectic. I come from an artistic family; pianist, painters, sculptors, designers…I was a very curious child with a big urge to go out and explore the world. Later, while studying Applied Arts in Vienna, I couldn’t understand the need to separate all art forms so heavily. I very much believe in the Japanese way of understanding life; you can only truly understand the art of living by studying the art of poetry as well as the art of gardening, calligraphy, archery and so on. The philosophy of t.a.s.© stands for thinking outside the status quo. We want to touch people and share our vision of creational freedom."

Chris, from digital ventures to visceral art spaces: What parallels surprise you the most between the two worlds?

Chris Pliessnig: "I’m fuelled by passion, or should I say tireless obsession, to be frank. I moved to Cyprus 5 years ago to build Teroxx, a boutique concept for digital assets. I have always been very thrilled about arts and aesthetic (in the little free time that I have). What started with a couple of art events together with Julian, quickly transformed into the urge to merge this common passion for art and dinner parties and share it with our peers. For me, this project is simply the next ride. My first company, which I founded in 2018 with my dear friend Thomas Jöbstl, was created from the same motivation. Today we are leaders in the European market, with 60 employees and over 750 million US dollars of trading volume in the last year. Friendship, a shared vision and tireless passion, I would say. Not really surprising, is it?”

The gallery is more than just a space; it's an emotion, a lifestyle. Can you both share a deeply personal memory or feeling that encapsulates the essence of t.a.s.© for you?

Julian Epok: "I like to remember the first time I walked into the Collette concept store in Paris in the early 2000s. I was in absolute shock! Art, Design, Fashion, Music curated in such a tasteful and and precious manner! We all remember their very special fig scent! That love for every detail, the high level of aesthetics and style is something that deeply touched me for the rest of my life and very much inspired the vision we have for t.a.s.© today."

Chris Pliessnig: "We recently had a mother with her son walking into the gallery. He was not older than ten and very shy. Nevertheless, he started asking Julian about the paintings which developed into a moving little conversation about feeling a piece of art instead of trying to understand it. The mother, afterwards, told us that she has never experienced her son in such an enthusiastic state with strangers due to his severe autism. A very special and full circle moment for us. Feelings do transcend deeper than words after all."

Can you give us a hint of what's next on the horizon for t.a.s.©?

Julian Epok: "Paris and Vienna are in the pipeline with a couple of very cool international artists and designers. Without giving away too much, we are also looking forward to finalising two very exciting projects in Cyprus until the end of this year!"