Tatia Skhirtladze, Ingeborg Strob /Tbilisi,Vienna

Songs for a Building

The building which houses the now decommissioned funicular station is a forgotten place in the centre of Tbilisi, its architecture outstanding in its special generosity and elegance. The building was shut down in recent years and access to it is now prohibited, creating a “white spot” on the city map. As it stands, the site is currently in a state of transition: not as perfect as it once was in its original condition, and not yet adapted to the present. It’s a monument ageing with dignity as the first traces of decay appear.

The project by Tatia Skhirtladze and Ingeborg Strobl is designed to draw people’s attention to this gem of architecture and craftsmanship. For a short period only, they will be allowed to enter the building once again, as part of an additional event.

Every day a performance will be staged there at a set time. One or two professional singers standing high up on the spiral staircase will sing Georgian songs filled with beauty, longing and melancholy – songs for the soul of the building and for peace among the audience. Yet the audience itself will not be able to access the staircase and will remain standing on the ground floor.

The event, complete with the schedule of performances, is to be advertised by small posters along Rustaveli Street.

Singers
Lia Jashi
Aluda Todua

supported by:
The Austrian Federal Ministry for Education, the Arts and Culture
The Austrian Foreign Ministry

Many thanks to
Ambrosi (Kusa) Leshava
Rewas (Reso) Mezchovrishvili
Irakli Sasania