Frozen Moments-Architecture speaks back

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From 22 to 25 July, the building of the former Ministry of Highways of the Soviet Republic of Georgia played host to artists, architects, curators and academics from the Caucasus and across the globe.

The three-day program included talks, workshops, art and architecture, concerts, field trips, and roof parties. For three days in July this fantastic building became home to a buzzing community engaged in a range of horizontal collaborative projects.

Frozen Moments: Architecture Speaks Back is a context-responsive summer art project sponsored and coordinated by the Ministry of Culture and Heritage of the Republic of Poland, the Institute for Real-Estate Economy and Project Management, Biberbach - Germany, and the Laura Palmer Foundation - Warsaw together with GeoAir - Georgia & AICA - Armenia.

The former Ministry of Highways building was built in 1975 by architects George Chakhava (1923–2007) and Zurab Jalaghania. Bank of Georgia plan to turn the building into their new headquarters. Now standing empty and overgrown with greenery, it has attracted artists and architects from all over the world. Richard Reynolds, famous for his book On Guerrilla Gardening and a spokesperson for a loose and diverse movement that challenges the way we use public space, offered a walk on the roots of Parthenocissus tricuspidata. Inspired by temporary micro gardens he decided to visit the former ministry and share his views with other participants. “The building is clever. It can ventilate naturally and the roof has covered itself with vegetation”- Reynolds said.

The renovation of the building is planned for August; this means that the vegetation surrounding the vehicle must be removed due to repairs to the facade. “Unfortunately the plants must be removed, otherwise the renovation cannot take place” said Tato Mirgadia, Architect for Bank of Georgia. He also added that consultations will be held with international experts prior to the building’s renovation.

An architect, Aleksandra Wasilkovska demonstrated the concept of creeping utopia, that refers to complex systems of nature. She has man an installation for the barrier on the roof, with white plastic tubes, forming a labyrinth and thus creating water ballast. “I wanted this installation to be a reminder of the waterfall that used to be here before. Besides I wanted to indicate the importance of health and safety issues. My installation dissolves in the building and shows the thin line between openness and closure” said Wasilkovska.

One of the architects that designed the building held a lecture on its history and talked about the difficulties he experienced implementing such a pioneering project in the USSR. He also discussed the history of the obnoxious nickname of the building, by which it is known to Tbilisi residents. The event turned out to be successful, and attracted people from a range of social groups triggering not only memories, but ideas for future projects.

Story by Victoria Todria

29.07.2010