EXTENSION.GE. IF YOU LIVED HERE, YOU WOULD BE HOME

April 26 — May 22, 2019
Triumph Gallery

Partnering with the Ria Keburia Foundation, Triumph Gallery presents the eleventh exhibition in the frameworks of the EXTENSION project: "EXTENSION.GE: If You Lived Here, You Would Be Home". Ten contemporary artists from Georgia — belonging to different generations, working with different media, and exploring various topics — relying on a common interest in national heritage and cultural remembrance, united in the framework of a joint exhibition that continues the EXTENSION series, whose mission is to familiarize the Russian public to the artistic traditions of different countries of the world.

Georgia has always existed at a certain international crossroad, originating from serving as the frontier territory of the Russian Empire up to the current position of the country as a tourist center. But even through many years of migration processes, changes in state regimes, economic instability, Georgia successfully carried and preserved its national heritage, avoiding the widespread fate of the "melting pot" and the mixing of different cultures. The depth and richness of the national culture can be clearly seen in the works of contemporary Georgian artists, who, despite working in various cities around the world, continue to explore the deep connections with national and cultural memory.

Such interest to the heritage unites all artists of the new exhibition presented by the EXTENSION project. Amongst the participants, various creative paths could be seen: from artists who initially chose the path of artistic search, to nontrivial young artists who came to the world of art from medicine or law. The exposition is unprecedented in its diapason. In parts of paintings, for instance, deep, brooding canvases, such as "Prayer" by Levan Chelidze, alternate with surreal acrylic works of Rusudan Khizanishvili and hypnotic "Moving frames" by Luka Lazar. Moreover, sculpture and installation are also presented: the enchanting and чарующая и authentic work "Never Ask Me What I Do on the Roof of the House" by Tato Akhalkatsishvili. As well as the installation "5t-h room" by Nino Chubinishvili (Chubika), which captures the moment of multidimensional dreamt relationships in an abstract environment.

Any Direction
2017
Watercolor on plywood
200 × 150 cm

Georgia has always existed at a certain international crossroad, originating from serving as the frontier territory of the Russian Empire up to the current position of the country as a tourist center. But even through many years of migration processes, changes in state regimes, economic instability, Georgia successfully carried and preserved its national heritage, avoiding the widespread fate of the "melting pot" and the mixing of different cultures. The depth and richness of the national culture can be clearly seen in the works of contemporary Georgian artists, who, despite working in various cities around the world, continue to explore the deep connections with national and cultural memory.

Such interest to the heritage unites all artists of the new exhibition presented by the EXTENSION project. Amongst the participants, various creative paths could be seen: from artists who initially chose the path of artistic search, to nontrivial young artists who came to the world of art from medicine or law. The exposition is unprecedented in its diapason. In parts of paintings, for instance, deep, brooding canvases, such as "Prayer" by Levan Chelidze, alternate with surreal acrylic works of Rusudan Khizanishvili and hypnotic "Moving frames" by Luka Lazar. Moreover, sculpture and installation are also presented: the enchanting and чарующая и authentic work "Never Ask Me What I Do on the Roof of the House" by Tato Akhalkatsishvili. As well as the installation "5t-h room" by Nino Chubinishvili (Chubika), which captures the moment of multidimensional dreamt relationships in an abstract environment.

EXTENSION.GE will feature works of numerous Georgian artists who mark a movement towards equality in another area of life where men have traditionally dominated: for instance, Daro Sulakauri’s photographs of Georgian everyday life can deeply touch and surprise. A special mention should be dedicated to the artist Levan Mindiashvili, whose installation, created in a mixed technique, gave the name to the exhibition. Artist uses building materials and modern elements of lighting, but the result, however, reminds of the traditional Georgian wall tapestries. Uta Bekaia’s installation "Here — so far away" was created in the residence of Ria Keburia. The total installation was inspired by Bekaia’s memories of the beginning of the 80s when his family was supposed to go on a summer vacation to the caves at the New Athos in Abkhazia, a place for the celebration of nature, which was later associated with the contradictory historical development of our civilization. Paintings of Rusudan Khizanishvili were also created in the residence of Ria Keburia.

Untitled
2018
Oil on canvas
200 × 170 cm

EXTENSION.GE will feature works of numerous Georgian artists who mark a movement towards equality in another area of life where men have traditionally dominated: for instance, Daro Sulakauri’s photographs of Georgian everyday life can deeply touch and surprise. A special mention should be dedicated to the artist Levan Mindiashvili, whose installation, created in a mixed technique, gave the name to the exhibition. Artist uses building materials and modern elements of lighting, but the result, however, reminds of the traditional Georgian wall tapestries. Uta Bekaia’s installation "Here — so far away" was created in the residence of Ria Keburia. The total installation was inspired by Bekaia’s memories of the beginning of the 80s when his family was supposed to go on a summer vacation to the caves at the New Athos in Abkhazia, a place for the celebration of nature, which was later associated with the contradictory historical development of our civilization. Paintings of Rusudan Khizanishvili were also created in the residence of Ria Keburia.

Ria Keburia Foundation
The Ria Keburia Foundation was established in 2018 by the Georgian artist and curator Ria Keburia. The fund’s activities are directed towards the development of contemporary art in Georgia and Transcaucasia. The foundation’s objectives include production support aimed at local, regional and international artists; creation of an educational platform for young artists; international promotion of promising Georgian and regional artists. The foundation also supports a residency for artists that was launched in 2017.

curators
Daria Kravchuk
Ria Keburia

artists
Tato Akhalkatsishvili
Uta Bekaia
Tamara Kvesitadze
Luca Lazar
Levan Mindiashvili
Daro Sulakauri
Rusudan Khizanishvili
Levan Chelidze
Nino Chubinishvili
Giorgi Chkheidze

Memories from Tusheti
2005
C-print, manual handling
90 × 60 cm

Ria Keburia Foundation
The Ria Keburia Foundation was established in 2018 by the Georgian artist and curator Ria Keburia. The fund’s activities are directed towards the development of contemporary art in Georgia and Transcaucasia. The foundation’s objectives include production support aimed at local, regional and international artists; creation of an educational platform for young artists; international promotion of promising Georgian and regional artists. The foundation also supports a residency for artists that was launched in 2017.

curators
Daria Kravchuk
Ria Keburia

artists
Tato Akhalkatsishvili
Uta Bekaia
Tamara Kvesitadze
Luca Lazar
Levan Mindiashvili
Daro Sulakauri
Rusudan Khizanishvili
Levan Chelidze
Nino Chubinishvili
Giorgi Chkheidze