Andro Semeiko Blue Horns
Dedicated to Eugenia Tabidze
Opening: Sat 26 Oct 7 – 9 pm
26 Oct – 25 Nov 2019
Project partner: SOLO
This exhibition is loosely based on the works of Blue Horns poets, their lives and the socio-political circumstances surrounding their work. Andro Semeiko creates painterly installation at Erti Gallery where boundaries are blurred between writing and doodling; drawing and painting; abstract and realistic representation.
Text by curator Elene Abashidze reflecting on Andro Semeiko’s works:
“My fingers shrink when signing. These gadgets lately… I open the folder for notes on my 5.45inch phossne screen to make another try at signing a document. It does not take long for me to notice all the imperfections of my screen-based signature. Once again, I start from scratch and draw a line by hand, but it looks so artificial.
It is true, it has been long since I last used a notebook instead of the ‘Notes’ application,
yet my fingers are used to typing, not drawing on the touch screen. Drawing is somewhat terrifying. My fingers perform poorly, acting like bodies on their first yoga class. It is true, not that I have taken yoga classes in ages, since my freelancer life style and small gadgets give me the flexibility to work anytime at any place. All that is needed is access to the internet and fingers, better start taking yoga classes for finger practice?
It has been quite a long while since I smoked my last cigarette, but the situation makes me crave for another drag. I grab one from my grandparents’ pockets. It seems one can never forget how to smoke. My fingers stretch again drawing a fine curving line in the room. Smoke follows the gesture, leaving a curvy trace in the space. It would have been so much easier to sign the document in space, with cigarette smoke.
I now stretch my back, and in full confidence return to the gadget. My stretched fingers confidently shrink again to fit the screen. The lines they draw are far too wide for a narrow document such this.
This reminds me that smoking no longer fits the everyday, it definitely is from another time, belonging to that ‘other’ time from the past, when fingers appeared stretched and proud in spacious rooms, and cabinets for signing documents.
Mainly, one can describe the times, as the manly times they were. Hand gestures modify as times change. In fact ‘the’ times may dictate hand gestures. This makes me think whether the ‘times’ were manly first, or the gestures made them manly?”
Andro Semeiko (b. 1975, Ozurgeti, Georgia) studied at Tbilisi State Academy of Art (1998), Goldsmiths College (2001) and the Royal Academy Schools (2006). He lives and works in London. Semeiko has been widely exhibited internationally including: ‘Polka Dots and Curls’ (solo), narrative projects, London, UK (2018-19); ‘Unveiling Vazha Pshavela’, Asia House, London, UK (2019); ‘Reminiscence: Parajanov’, Close-Up Cinema, London, UK (2019); ‘The Will’, 3rd Tbilisi Triennial, Georgia (2018); SAMUK Biennale, Nojeonbong Art Park & Museum, South Korea (2018); ‘Nature Morte’, Guildhall Art Gallery, London, UK, and Museum of Contemporary Art, Wrocław, Poland (2017-18); ‘Nostalgia for the Future’, Taipei Fine Art Museum, Taiwan (2016); ‘Towards Understanding Huai Su’ (solo), Soulangh Park, Tainan, Taiwan (2015); ‘An Artist’s Workshop for Unveiling Emotions’ (solo), BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK (2013); ‘Expanded Painting’, Prague Biennial 4, Czech Republic (2009). Semeiko is the recipient of British Institution Award, London (2004 ); Berwick Gymnasium Fellowship (2009) and PEER Residency (2013).
Author Ana Kordzaia-Samadashvili, fashion designer Manana Antelidze and Andro Semeiko will launch new book “Unveiling Vazha Pshavela” during the exhibition opening.
New book “Unveiling Vazha Pshavela”
ISBN: ISBN 978-0-9564683-4-5
hardcover 192pp
The Garnett Press, Queen Mary University of London, UK