I was born in 1979, in Batumi, on the Black Sea (Georgia). Later my parents moved to the capital Tbilisi. My father is a painter and for quite a while we were all living in my father’s studio. From very early times I showed extreme interest to constructor toys and I was painting all the time. So my parents mixed that interests of mine and decided to give me a line towards industrial design. So after all, I graduated Tbilisi State Art Academy, Industrial Design Department.
Just before I went to Academy my mum saw that the tension in the country was extreme. Criminal groups in the city became normal. To protect me from being involved anyhow with that groups, my mother found a small job (assistant of theater’s painter) for me in K. Marjanishvili State Academic Theater. Amazing mystic atmosphere of that theater fascinated me totally and I worked there all 3 years (and I’m really thankful to my mum for that).
Illegally emigrated to USA, my aunt bought me my first personal computer when I was in my second year in the Academy. My huge interest to new technologies helped me to get the skill very quickly and professionally and with a small help from my older friends to get an experience of working in publishing office, finally I got a job. After a while I decided to work as a freelancer, with my own contacts and offers. So with it I went through quite colourful experiences.
At the same time, in the Academy, me and my friends founded the artist group “Creatorea” and started to be active in different ways and did shows. Surviving as a group was extremely difficult, but somehow we manage to do several successful exhibitions. I was more and more interested in artistic practice and in Art Caucasus 2005, where we were invited, I put all my resources (like all other Creatorea members). Unfortunately we couldn’t find any financial support before my mum took a credit from bank for the whole part of our (Creatorea) show. After, during next year I was working in architectural studio to help my mother to cover the bank credit.
Since 2 years I live in Berlin. It’s still not easy to survive, but it seems all my knowledge of technologies is still a tool for getting a job. Of course in the beginning I had terrible small jobs which was really a brilliant experience. At the moment I’m working in IFA gallery Berlin (and other small jobs) for installing shows. It seems I’ll continue my master studies in UdK (Universität der Künste Berlin) and hopping to get a scholarship.
Actually most jobs I do is routine, just to go on somehow, but definitely from every place I worked I got a unique experience, knowledge, which at the end helps me with my ideas, to define my position as an artist and to understand the reality better.
26.04.2010
