Dear Shaded Viewers,
Thanks to Sofia Tchkonia, the founder of MB Fashion Week Tbilisi and Culture Week Tblisi, the event took on added significance amid the looming enactment of legislation modeled on laws utilized by Vladimir Putin to suppress media and civic groups in Russia. Tens of thousands of Georgians took to the streets in peaceful protest against a proposed law that threatens press and civic freedoms. The “foreign agents” bill has sparked a political crisis and, if passed, could hinder Georgia’s path to EU membership. Meanwhile, Culture Week Tbilisi serves as a celebration of creativity and cultural exchange.
The event primarily unfolded within the former Coca-Cola factory, now refurbished into an art and cultural center. Exhibitions featured a blend of Georgian and international artists: Roman Mikhaylov, a Ukrainian artist, displayed two large burnt paper sculptures alongside canvases portraying explosions of green and brown. “We’re in a war between the past and the future,” he remarked, capturing the prevailing sentiment. Filep Motwary presented a series of photographs titled “The Bethrothed”. Shot in different countries and locations all over the world, the images featured costumes that Motwary initially created for a exhibition by fashion historian and curator Lydia Kamitsis back in 2012. Amine Amharech showcased “The Criterion,” an exploded view of an architectural MD cloud merging art and architecture. “In Service to the Planet,” curated by me, featured costume and fashion designers such as Supernatural Superstar, KKVarti, Uta Bekaia, Mira Matchina, and Sebastian A. De Ruffray.
Documentary screenings included “Mary, Marianna, Maria – The Unsung Greek Years of Callas” by Mihalis Asthenidis and Vasilis Louras, as well as films by celebrated director Reiner Holzemer: “Martin Margiela: In His Own Words” and “Jurgen Teller.”
Designers showcased included Aka Nanita, Aka Prodiashvili, Berhasm Global, Muzaradi, Datuna, Djaba Diassamidze, Situationist, Jesus Star, and Dzhaba.
We were treated to performances by the Georgian National Ballet and Orchestra. Notably, it was the first time I witnessed male ballet dancers as the main event, with the women playing more auxiliary roles—a reversal of the norm. Sukhishvili, Anita Rachvelishvili, Nikoloz Rachveli, and the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra, all were breathtakingly beautiful.
Culture Week Tbilisi offered much more, including a reception with the President of Georgia.
The images above offer a glimpse into our cultural odyssey.
Later,
Diane
