Project ArtBeat: Daily Routine of Georgian Artist Lado Pochkhua During Covid-19
Project ArtBeat is a contemporary art gallery based in Tbilisi. They've decided to ask artists what their daily routine is like during the pandemic and how the respond it creatively. Gallery Artbeat interviewed Georgian artist, Lado Pochkhua.
Can you tell us about your daily routine during COVID-19?
My routine has completely changed. I ended up in a different city with two kids - a seven year old boy, and a three year old girl. No daycares or schools. I work in little bits, putting ideas together for the future. I’m working after 8pm when the kids are in bed. I also started writing a diary of this strange time - it’s one of my main artistic exercises to stay intellectually afloat.
How have the unforeseen circumstances affected/inspired your artistic practice and how have you chosen to respond creatively?
I’m working in miniature. As soon as I could, I printed some silkscreens on postcard size, and started working with them. I want to make exquisite postcard-sized art for my friends who can’t go to museums and art shows. I want art to come to them, in their homes. That’s purely my answer to the situation.
One habit that you will change after the quarantine?
I’ll likely get back into exercise - I miss the movement and dynamics of going to the gym, working out, coming home. I have always loved it. It became harder with kids.
Is there anything new you found out about yourself during self-isolation?
This lockdown situation of isolation isn’t the first hardship in my life. What I can say is that in times of stress I become very tenacious, and very patient. My modality is to step onto a slowly moving train of activities toward one goal. I become more decisive - clearer about making choices, how and why, that are best for my family. I like that about myself.
What do you miss the most?
I miss several things. Libraries, museums and galleries, and going to football matches with my son. And to go out with my wife and friends.
What’s the key challenge for the local artist today?
The key challenge is to stay focused in times of tragedy. Artists have to just continue their practice.
How is contemporary art changing in covid 19 era?
I think we’ll see more street and guerilla art, and more solo art. We’ll see fewer experiences, and more deep self-reflection.
What are the alternative options of communicative forms in the meantime?
Of course the internet - without that, nothing would be possible, not even these questions. I’m choosing the mail, though. The postal service is essential for society and that’s why it’s been steadily working throughout the crisis and I can use it. My friends will receive art.
Life after covid19 - emptiness or opportunities?
There will be a lot of opportunities after. We can dig deep into history to see what happened to societies after World War 1 and “spanish flu” pandemic - what came after that was a glitzy, bright, decade in art and culture, the roaring 20s. Art deco, jazz, the debut of great writers, it was a very hedonistic era. Very bright and unprecedented age of beauty and hedonism.