Autor: andreasokphoto

Last week was the award ceremony for the Lucie Awards in New York City, including the Lucie Photo Book Prize. And we’re sending our heartfelt congratulations to the winners of the categories  – and of course to all the other finalists. What a pleasure to see our book „Tamar, Where Are You?“ on the list among this wonderful group of photobooks. Thank you again to the jury for chosing our book as one of the finalists and thus introducing the work of all photographers and writers involved to a new audience in NYC.

And a very special thanks to Julia Oetker-Kast and Andy William for supporting us by attending the event – and sending the pictures, so we can see and share our Tamar in NYC.

Well … this is big. We just received the news that „Tamar, Where Are You?“ was nominated as one of the finalists for the prestigious Lucie Photo Book Prize 2019, in the Independent Prize Category. That in itself feels like a win … what an amazing recognition for the great work of all the artists involved in this project.

So I guess now it’s time to keep our fingers crossed …

In light of recent events … two photographs I made in September 2017 while I was accompanying the group Power is in Unity to the occupation line seperating the region of Samachablo (South Ossetia) from Georgia.

According to international law, 20 percent of Georgian state territory is basically still occupied by Russia.

More good news for our book: „Tamar, Where Are You?“ was selected to be part of the Photobook Exhibition at the Indian Photography Festival (IPF) – Hyderabad, starting September 19th, 2019.

The festival is a „Not-For-Profit initiative of Light Craft Foundation, (…) an international photography festival, showcasing a wide range of photography from India and around the globe with a series of events, including talks and discussions, portfolio reviews, book launches, screenings & workshops.“

Needless to say we are very happy to be part of it and are looking forward to introducing our collaborative view on Georgia among this fabulous selection of photobooks.

Image Credit: Sharbendu De / IPF 2018

Tomorrow, June 13th, will see the inauguration of the Athens Photo Festival at the Benaki Museum / Pireos 138 in Athens, Greece. There will be an extended exhibition program with a variety of works from all the image-based genres – and a photobook exhibition, recognizing the role of the photobook in contemporary visual culture.

And we’re very happy to hear that our book „Tamar, Where Are You?“ was selected to be part of the show. So if you’re in the area, come and see the book including the phantastic stories by Ana Kordzaia-Samadashvili, Dato Turashvili, Dina Oganova, Giorgi Shengelia, Giorgi Tabliashvili, Guram Tsibakhashvili, Natela Grigalashvili, Tinatin Kiguradze, Vakho Khetaguri and Yuri Mechitov.

It was a fabulous week, the opening of Kolga Tbilisi Photo 2019 – with 18 exhibitions, workshops, portfolio reviews and a great audience eager to see, discuss and celebrate photography. There was classical and new work, Georgian photography or international projects – on display in various locations from the historical Karvasla to the art palace, from the urban Artarea Gallery to the underground of the city council building.

All in all there was so much to explore. This festival is a celebration of photography – and a perfect opportunity to meet the local photography and art scene.

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Impressions of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo Festival 2019

Finally … we are happy to confirm that our book „Tamar, Where Are You?“ has arrived in Tbilisi. From now on you can find it in the wonderful gallery Fotografia at 21 Revaz Tabukashvili Street. So if you’re in town, go check it out.

And while you’re there, also have a look at  the great work they are offering by Georgian photographers such as Dina Oganova, Guram Tsibakhashvili, Vakho Khetaguri or Yuri Mechitov … and there are many more to disvover. When it comes to photography, Fotografia is definitely the place to go when you’re in town.

Oh – and the gallery comes with a little coffee shop, where you can get a really good cup of coffee … brewed by hand.

Here I am back in Tbilisi to join local and international photographers and photo enthusiasts for this year’s edition of the Kolga Tbilisi Photo festival – which was sent off to a good start yesterday with the award ceremony at the former cable car station in Rustaveli Avenue.

Presented by Nino-Ana Samkharadze, Manager of Kolga Tbilisi Photo Week, winners and runner ups of all categories were presented – before the evening was brought home musically by local heroes The BearFox.

It’s the day of the Soviet crackdown in Tbilisi. 21 deaths and hundreds of injuries … Georgians took to the streets to call for independence from the Soviet Union, but were violently dispersed by the Soviet Army. Photographer Yuri Mechitov was out on the streets that day to bear witness of what was going on …

Two years later, on March 31, 1991, Georgians voted overwhelmingly in favor of independence and on April 9 of that year, the Supreme Council of the Republic of Georgia proclaimed Georgian sovereignty and independence from the Soviet Union.

Today, April 9th is a public holiday and is remembered as Day of National Unity in Georgia.

(Photo: © Yuri Mechitov)

So this was one year ago: I had come to Tbilisi with a bag full of working prints and a head full of ideas – which I brought to the studio of book designer Otar Karalashvili. In the following weeks we would discuss, edit, design, fight, you know, just the usual stuff it takes when you’re making a book. But then, at the end of my first stay in 2018, we knew where this was supposed to go, how all the works would come together – to become Tamar, Where Are You?.

Sometimes it’s just nice to remember …