Exhibition spaces and galleries often aren’t very accessible to young people, and beginner artists are required to cross a lot of barriers to be included in these types of spaces, which stifles their development and causes a drain on the artistic freedom of these places.
Another problem caused by this inaccessibility is the low levels of cooperation, and without the rare exceptions, collaborative work is not often found.
The ART HOUSE has decided to start up an experimental project called an “open gallery” and provide the means necessary for local artists without any preconditions to place their own work in our space.
The project helps connect artists with each other, increases their recognition, and provides a way to generate new ideas and find talented people.
Ants are eating my heart. Poster design.
Temo, 16 - My family sheltered 16 refugees during the war after we all ran away from Gori; I became so distressed that I tried running away as a 2-year old.
Sofo, 16 - The death of my father be gause of the war had shown up in a way where only me and my family can experience it although at the time I was not aware of what happened, later when I grew up what made me feel and understand what happened is my family, they still mourn and they still cry every time my father is mentioned it made me understand how war just doesn’t care about people.
Ana, 17 - I’m still terrified of the sounds helicopters make, it makes me think we’re being bombed again and I can’t bear it.
Sali, 16 - In a way it’s overwhelming seeing those bullet holes. I mean just to imagine that my own house was being shot up by Russians not a century ago but only 14 years ago really makes me think about a lot of things like how any day if putin decides he simply doesn’t want us to exist anymore he could very well just send in his army and do the exact same or even worse than what happened in 2008.
Data, 15 - My family had to run away to Kobuleti because of the war but my grandparents decided to stay in Gori, in their basement which is scary to think about since the war was here and anything could’ve happened to them.
Meki, 16 - There’s still places in Gori With bullet holes which remind me of the war and even though they give me a feeling of sadness I don’t think they should be restored because the future generations shouldn’t forget what happened.
I don’t want these bullet holes to go away
In 2008 Russian forces invaded Georgia (Russo-Georgian war). My city, Gori, was bombed and occupied. 14 years have passed since that. My generation grew up and lived in the permanent fallout of war.
Sometimes we do notice it, sometimes we don’t. With this photo series, I tried to understand what it is to be a teenager in Gori today and how this environment of trauma affects us.
Nikoloz Miruashvili
Vasiko Doijashvili
Data Tsikaridze
Lazare Tielidze
Salome Tinikashvili
