Nika Kutateladze

Nika Kutateladze (born in 1989 in Tbilisi/GE) studied architecture at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts from 2007 to 2011. In 2013, he graduated from an informal master’s course at the Centre of Contemporary Art, Tbilisi (CCA-T). The majority of his artworks comprise installations and sculptures reflecting day-to-day consumerism and various environmental issues. His later artistic utterances challenge the transformative process of architectural spaces and urban environments in general. Kutateladze lives and works in Tbilisi/GE.

The following artwork will be shown as part of the EVROVIZION.CROSSING STORIES AND SPACES project:

To Protect My House While I Am Away, curtain, thorn, glue, iron construction, 2 x 300 x 500 cm, Tbilisi/GE, 2023.
©Nika Kutateladze

Nika Kutateladze’s work To Protect My House While I’m Away represents a continued exploration of the artistic themes in which he has been immersed in recent years, drawing inspiration from a depopulating village in his native Georgia.
Having spent considerable time in the village, Kutateladze offers an intimate portrayal of local existence. His creations delve into the complexities of small, close-knit communities where people’s interactions with one another and the environment take centre stage.

Through his art, Kutateladze explores the essence of human character, often revealing universal truths and flaws that resonate deeply with viewers. The pieces from this series frequently blur the boundaries between humanity and nature, presenting them in a spectrum of beauty and ugliness, yet always with a poetic touch.

In the piece showcased in EVROVIZION, Kutateladze employs the metaphor of a curtain, symbolising the notion of ‘home’, community and cohabitation. However, this familiar symbol is rendered hostile and untouchable, as it is completely covered with thorns. This transformation signifies a shift in the dynamics of coexistence, where relationships are taken over by fear and rejection. Sharing, once synonymous with mutual support, is twisted into a celebration of the misfortunes of others.

Through this powerful imagery, Kutateladze invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of human relationships, the fragility of communal bonds, and the darker aspects of shared existence.