Part of Tbilisi Architecture Biennial (TAB) 2018
‘Our interest in studying soviet micro-districts is connected with the fact, that these neighborhoods were designed and constructed according to the Soviet rules and regulations and were results of the idealistic dream of accommodating every single family in the former Soviet Union. Today, these places have established themselves in the new system and reflect traces of Tbilisi’s recent history.
As a result of communal living, Soviet architecture has gradually transformed into a new characteristic image, though its own ideological stereotypes dictated these chaotic changes.
As a result of post-Soviet transformation, all inherent functional parameters have turned off and caused noticeable stagnation of cultural growth. Spontaneous and accidental self-made structures were developed as an answer of dwellers to the architecture and a self-solution to their living space problems, which quickly became an object of manipulation for inhabitants. While on the other hand, it is a demonstration of existing socio-economic disorder.
Chaotic process and eclectic style formed new architectural standards, which predict today’s social and cultural condition. Quick urbanization dictates no significance of human living culture.’ TAB
Concept
Forms of Living is an encyclopaedic urban atlas (catalogue) where specific post-Soviet transformations are gathered together. The installation, which exposes the image of current informal architecture, is a representation of Gldani district’s poor living conditions.
The Forms of Living display’s spontaneous self-made architectural style, a clash of different materials, annexes and extensions that speak to us of an ideological and economical conflict and coexistence. The fragments, which represent the atlas of transformations, gather together as different market values and create a catalogue of accidental materials.
Fragments of joints is a new archetype that forms an interesting pattern of human behaviour and embodies fundamental characteristics of informal architecture.
The installation will gradually change its form and location, which is also a demonstration of a constant change of lifestyle chosen by the user.
