Organisation: Tbilisi Architecture Biennial (GE)
Authors: Gigi Shukakidze, Irina Dikhaminjia and Nanuka Lagidze
Co-production with Wunderwerk
Authors: Gigi Shukakidze, Irina Dikhaminjia and Nanuka Lagidze
Co-production with Wunderwerk
The installation Nature Morte is research-driven and explores the impact of human spatial-political development on nature, focusing on the coexistence of living and dead landscapes. The Barcelona Pavilion's small pond is transformed into a reflection of critical global processes with silver driftwood symbolising dried-up rivers, illustrating the ever-changing nature of our existence.
"Water is one of the most important natural resources in Georgia, originating mainly from the Caucasus Mountains. Different bodies of water (groundwater, glaciers, wetlands, mineral waters, etc.) make up to 60% of the country's territory. Our research focuses on the coexistence of living and dead landscapes around water.
One striking image encountered during our investigation of the water environment was the half-island of dead wood created at the edge of the Enguri Reservoir. Held back by a massive manmade concrete wall, silver-coloured pieces of wood bound together starkly represented dead nature floating on the water, the most vivid and powerful force in the living world.
This inspiring image led us to the idea of our intervention in the Barcelona Pavilion. The Pavilion itself represents the resource that gives us the opportunity to express and raise a question: to what extent can human spatial-political development lead to destructive changes in nature or society?
These multilayered morphological changes can be observed in water reservoirs and power stations.
One of the most important dams we have is Zhinvali, a hydroelectric dam on the Aragvi River.
In 1985, the first unit of the hydroelectric power station was launched in the Dusheti region, between the Alevi, Gudamakari, and Kartli mountain ridges.
The 11.5 km lake is essential for power generation and the water supply to Tbilisi, but as part of its construction the village of Zhinvali was completely flooded, forcing the entire local population to migrate.
The water level in the reservoir changes constantly. In winter, there is less flow from the glacier and more water consumption in the city, so the water level goes down. In spring, there is abundant precipitation from the mountains and the water level rises. Water flows through forests and down mountainsides and as it passes it gathers up trees and their roots and branches, which continue their journey in death as floating masses.
We collected driftwood on the shore of Zhinvali Reservoir and shipped it to Barcelona to merge the dead silver landscape with the Pavilion's most alive element, water.
Silver driftwood floating on the water beneath Georg Kolbe's beautiful nude sculpture Down completely covers the rectangular pond. It is a powerful translation of landscapes around Georgia's dried-up rivers and dams into the Pavilion's contemporary cultural life. This reveals critical global, ongoing processes that unite us - inhabitants of the earth - regardless of our geographic location or political environment.
The silver-coloured pieces of wood are beautiful and poetic, shaped and weathered by the forces of the water and exposure to sunlight, wind and temperature changes. The pieces of deadwood are assembled into a large horizontal surface on the water, creating an interesting dialogue between their texture and the pure, well-defined geometry of the Pavilion. The emissivity of the driftwood emphasises the reflectivity of the surrounding materials, such as onyx, marble and glass. The sculpture's reflection in the water is fragmented and almost disappears. The silver shimmering pieces move gently according to weather conditions, such as sun, wind or rain. Their soft, graceful movements reflect the flow of life as a reminder of the ever-changing nature of our existence."
Hammock Article
Zhinvali
Enguri
Photo Credits: Gigi Shukakidze, Irina Dikhaminjia, Anna Mas, Nanuka Lagidze