Me Var…Revolutsia : I Am…The Revolution, A Project in Republic of Georgia, ©2003 - 2005

Sponsored by Fulbright Program, CEC Artslink, and Texas State University Photography by Roger Colombik (additional photographs for exhibition by David Janiashvili) Design by David Janiashvili Conceptual Development for Exhibition: Roger Colombik, David Janiashvili, and Ketevan Kintsurashvili

A Journey to the Republic of Georgia

At 3:00am on the morning of January 27, 2003, my wife and I were standing out on the tarmac of the Tbilisi airport. A diesel belching, antiquated Russian military vehicle was waiting to transport a group of tired, irritated and very chilled passengers over to the terminal. The temperature in the airport seemed to be in equilibrium with the outdoor temperature. The gentleman behind us inquired as to our business in Georgia. I mentioned that I would be teaching art and researching traditional village life. His startled expression was followed by  a diatribe of disgust—“I hate it here. This is my sixth trip on business. If you have a family you shouldn’t be here. The first thing you need to do is get a gun. Don’t go anywhere without a gun”. I glance back at Jerry. This is the last thing I wanted her to hear, particularly within five minutes of arrival. She did not need to speak for I could read her expression quite clearly—“Now, why are we here?”

Fortunately, the words of this angry Brit were not an omen and I found them to be far removed from the reality of life there. The next six months in the Republic of Georgia (along with additional project visits) were to be the most challenging, difficult, frustrating, crazy, enlightening, educational and rewarding experiences that I have encountered in my many travels through the post-communist world. I was there to teach, yet I became the student. I was there to observe and record, yet we were often the ones under observation and questioning. I was there to learn. I am still absorbing the experience.