Tbilisi contemporary display to showcase “absurdity“ of gender competition

Over a dozen contemporary artists from Georgia are exhibiting works in a Tbilisi display on expressions of gender inequality and competition over the next four weeks.

Showcased by Project ArtBeat, the show is aimed at highlighting individuality in artistic creation while also illustrating differences and similarities resulting from equal opportunities.

The exhibition is [deliberately made similar] to [competitive games] of Georgian kids’ birthday parties[,] where during [gendered] division between teams no rules for the equal size of the teams nor equal ages and capacities of the participants are taken into consideration”, says a preview of the concept.

The participating artists of the display were also split into two teams to reflect the competitive character of the games at children’s amusement venues.

[C]hildren are often divided into groups according to gender [...] For me these ‘competitions’ are a reflection of the absurd division of men and women that is taking place in the real life”, curator Natia Bukia noted.

Bukia also said the display — titled Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe after children’s counting rhyme used in games — would serve to "emphasise the [pointless] nature of this [gendered] competition, [where], as is the case in real life, [there are no prizes for winners]”.

In over 20 dates of the show, the event features an artist roster including Ana Chaduneli, Tamar Chaduneli, Thea Gvetadze, Mamuka Japharidze, Gvantsa Jishkariani, Keti Kapanadze, Tamara K.E., Nika Kutateladze, Emma Lalaeva–Ediberidze, Lado Lomitashvili, Avto Meskhi, Maia Naveriani, Gio Sumbadze and Beso Uznadze.

It will also involve special appearance of creations by Maxime Ortoidze and Nina Ortoidze, with display dates through April 13.