A River in Silent Flux

Just like the river in flux described by the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, a society is diverse and always moving.     

“A River in Silent Flux” captures the voices of Georgia’s diverse ethnic and religious groups. The multimedia exhibition showcases the work of renowned Georgian and international photographers, as well as the work of students from the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs’ Multimedia Lab, using photography, video, and sound to depict Georgia’s reality as a diverse and vibrant society.

Ethnic and religious diversity has been deeply woven into Georgian society throughout history and is part of what makes the country unique. Today, members of minority groups account for 13% of the Georgian population and make significant contributions to culture, politics, civic life, and economic development. Survey data confirm that members of minority groups—even if they feel overlooked—are loyal citizens of Georgia, viewing the place where they are born, live, and work, and raising their families to be their only homeland.

Still, too many members of ethnic and religious minority groups, especially in the country’s regions, remain marginalized in society and unable to fully contribute to, and benefit from, the country’s development.

Civic and economic integration – providing ethnic and religious minorities with more opportunities to contribute to the country’s growth – is a critical component of Georgia’s continued development into a resilient, democratic, and prosperous state integrating with the Euro-Atlantic community. Civic and economic integration requires policy measures. It also requires a change in the mindset of mainstream society and in the mindsets of ethnic minority citizens themselves – to engage in the country’s political, social, and economic life more actively, contributing to the creation of civic identity.

The exhibition depicts the lives of members of minority groups captured by artists ranging from internationally-renowned photographers to ethnic minority students just learning to use photography to portray the world as they see it.

The exhibition is organized within USAID/Georgia’s #WeAreSakartvelo campaign.

The exhibition consists of photographs, as well as video and sound installation.

Artists:

Tbel Abuseridze, Shakh Aivazov, Gia Chkhatarashvili, Natela Grigalashvili, Vakho Khetaguri, Yuri Mechitov, David Meskhi, Justyna Mielnikiewicz, Tako Robakidze, Dina Oganova, Julien Pebrel, Giorgi Shengelia, Guram Tsibakhashvili, Irma Sharikadze.

Also featuring the work of:

Sevak Gabrielyan, Bahar Memmedov, Gunel Celilova, Arzu Osmanova, Mansur Nasibov, Vardui Kurginyan, Idris Rustamov, Nihad Mamedov, Sema Gasanova, Aziz Ganiyev, Nihat Mamedov, Aysun Aliyeva, Eldar Meykhanumov, Senan Serifov, Nijat Huseynov, Amil Mamedov, Eldar Meykhanimov, Leman Nabiyeva, Terane Gasimova, Adil Mammadli, Səxavət İlyasov, Ayxan Pashayev, Turqay Demircelov, Tayfun Pasayev, Sakina Rustamova, Narin Mustafayeva, Niyameddin Sereyev, Ashkhen Khachatryan, Araqs Demurchyan, Katya Sarkisyan, Tatev Tumasyan, Andreas Paronyan, Vilyam Ghazaryan, Lusine Nurjanyan, Rima Marangozyan, Nazeli & Robert Khachatryans, Slava Karslyan, Narine Tonakanyan, Kristina Hakobyan, Lida Mnatsyan, Karen Shaybekyan, Sevak Gabrielyan, Artyom Kosyan, Hasmik Avagyan, Zhanna Chogandaryan, Aksana Gigolyan.

Sound for the exhibition by Liza Rivs.

Partners: USAID/Georgia, Open Society Georgia Foundation, Stamba Hotel, National Archives of Georgia, Tbilisi Photo Festival, Ukiyo Creative Agency.




Cover image: Tako Robakidze. Young Vainakh Women. 2021

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