Upload
siesta
View
249
Download
1
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
„კორპუსი 18“ უტა ბაიერის მიერ შექმნილი ფოტორეპორტაჟია. საქართველოში ცხოვრების პერიოდში ადამიანების ადგილსამყოფელით, მათი ურთიერთობებით, ასევე მატერიალური სამყაროს საგნებითა და ობიექტებით დაინტერესებულმა ფოტოხელოვანმა კვლევითი და პრაქტიკული საქმიანობის თემად ქალაქ თბილისის ყოველდღიურობის აღწერა აირჩია. "კორპუსი 18" სიესტამ 2014 წელს გამოსცა. Korpus 18 is a photo-reportage by Uta Beyer. Living places, relationships, things and objects from the material world has always been in the center of Beye's attention while residing in Georgia. Photodocumentalist has chosen eryday life of Tbilisi as the main subject of her research and practical work. Korpus 18 was published by Siesta Publishing in 2014.
Citation preview
KORPUS 18 is a Soviet era apartment block built in 1981 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The building was the first of several dozens to be finished in the area in the early 1980s. KORPUS 18 is a 9-floor concrete housing complex with 7 staircases, each leading to 18 apartment, it is home to 126 families. This book portrays 18 families in Korpus 18 in 2011, 30 years after its construction.
KORPUS 18Uta Beyer
Uta Beyer is a German documentary photographer based in Tbilisi since 2009. Being concerned with issues of habitat and belonging as well as the material world of objects and things, her research and practice focus on exploring everyday life in the city of Tbilisi. Uta is an MA graduate in Sociology and Economics from the University of Cologne, and an MA graduate in Photojournalism and Documentary Photography from the University of the Arts London, London College of Communication.
www.utabeyer.com
Cover Design: Uta Beyer & Siesta PublishingPhoto of the artist: Gocha Nemsadze
ISBN 978-9941-443-42-8
18
10
71 42
13
52 46
85
84
86 88
30 69
5
9
53
34 , 48 . . . , 100 - . , . , , . , 13 , 9 14 . : , . . . , , . 5,000 30,000 . 200 .
|
59 () 35 25 ; 29 , , , . 68 , . 1984 . . , ; 400 . , , , ; . , . , , , , .
40 , 69 . 1985 . , , . , 100 . , , . , ,
. , , . . , , . , , ; , . 2012 .
43 , , 32 13 . , , . ; , . 1986 . , 66 , . , . , , . . : , .
35 , 7 . : , . , . : . : . 20 . , . , , . . , . : , , . , , .
71 , 45 . 1986 , . 40 . , . , , . , . 1986 . 1986 . . , . - , ; , . , , , .
27 , 7 4 . , . , 200 . , 50,000 . , . , . , , , . , . , . , , . . . , 50 .
25 . . , . , 29 . ; , , -. 100 . , . . , . , , . , . . , , ; .
70 , , 46 , 45 . , . : , . , . , . - , 21 ; . , , 8 ( 5 ). , . , .
34 , 55 . 37 ( ) 13 , . , ( ; 1994 ) 1985 , . , . . , . , .
43 , . , 44 , , , 21 , . , . , , . . . , . , , : . , . . .
49 , 57 , 16 15 . . , , . . . : , . . . . . - . . , , , . ? . . , . . ()
, 73 , . : , , . , 73 , 30 , . 1981 . : , , .
. . , , , , . - . , 50 , , , 50 , , , 29 , . , , 120 .
-18 , 60 . , . , , . ; . 20 . : , .
32 . 34 , , , 20 , 19 , . , 1985 . 15 . . . , 40,000 . . .
40 . , , , . , , . , , . , . , . . 2006 2008 , . , .
43 , 23 21 , , 37 , 16 . : . 1995 4200 , . , , . . . , , . 120 .
34 , 6 8 . : - . , 50 9 . , . , . , , - .
10 2 . , , . , , , . . . 1984 , . . 2003 . .
25 1 . 29 , , 7 , 53 . , ; . 1981 , . 9 , , . , , . . , . , , . . .
2
KORPUS 18Uta Beyer
4142'18"N 4452'46"E
KORPUS 18Uta Beyer
View of Varketili, May 2011.
As everywhere in Europe after World War II,
also in the USSR urban housing was in short
supply throughout nearly all countries. Intensive
industrialization and urbanization put enormous
pressure on the existing housing stock. Large-
scale housing construction was begun at the end
of the 1950s, when social housing projects,
known as Microrayon, or Microdistrict, started
being developed throughout the entire Soviet
Union. For many Soviet families, receiving a
room in a communal apartment represented a
step up in their housing. Housing in cities be-
longed to the government; it was distributed by
municipal authorities or by government depart-
ments based on an established number of square
meters per person. As a rule, tenants had no
choice in the housing they were offered. Up to
the early 1980s, the limit of 9 square meters per
person held, after which it began to increase.
The former 'Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic' -
since its independence in 1991 the 'Republic of
Georgia' played an important role in supplying
food products to the centralized Soviet econ-
omy since the 1960s/70s. Georgia's capital Tbilisi
became the centre for various agricultural pro-
duction lines, followed by an urgent need for
housing expansion.
A rather typical Soviet Microrayon is the district
of Varketili in the Eastern part of Tbilisi. Varketili
is home to approximately 40,000 people, inhabit-
ing less than 4 square kilometres, in approxi-
mately 10,000 apartments in 120 either 9-, 12-
or 16-floor buildings. Buildings can have up to 10
entrances. There are approximately 15 schools
and kindergartens in Varketili, 500 shops, 1 hospi-
tal, 1 police station, and 1 metro station, which
connects the suburb to the city - via 6 stations,
in 10 minutes. The name Varketili meaning: I
am kind was given to the district during the
time of its construction, and was meant as a
good omen. Before its construction, Varketili was
a lake district and pasture land, and since 1955
also home of The Industry of Varketili, with
grape and fruit factories. Varketili's architecture
follows almost identical patterns used for almost
all former Soviet cities, be it Riga, Moscow,
Berlin, or Tbilisi. The calculated square meter
limit per person in Varketili was 12.
Today, Varketili is inhabited by a mix of different
social and ethnic groups from the middle, lower
middle or lower class, many of them newcomers
during the past 10 years, not originally from Var-
ketili or Tbilisi. Apart from Georgians from other
regions of the country, Varketili is also home to
refugees/internally displaced from Georgia's au-
tonomous regions Abkhasia and South Ossetia,
to Azeris, Armenians, Kurdish, Russians, and
Ukrainians.
As everywhere in Georgia, unemployment is ex-
tremely high in Varketili, and generating income is
the dominating topic in almost all families. Like
many former Soviet countries, Georgia is strug-
gling with transforming its economy into a glob-
ally competitive market economy, resulting in
high unemployment rates. The aftermath of the
civil war as well as the unsolved regional con-
flicts are contributing to Georgia's economic dif-
ficulties.
This photo book looks closely at one Varketili
building: Korpus 18. It was the first building to be
completed in Varketili in 1981, and is home to
126 families; a 9-floor concrete housing complex
with 7 staircases, two entrance doors and one
elevator each, each staircase leading to 18 apart-
ments.
The aim is to look beyond the decaying facades,
the concrete anonymity, and neglected public
spaces of korpus 18, of Varketili, or any Soviet
housing project as such, and to explore the in-
sides, interiors, the private spaces, the hidden. In
a broader sense, the essay aims at investigating
the existential and universal human concepts of
living, home, habitat, and belonging, and searches
for the elements that make 'a home' and are
recognisable as 'home' beyond culture and his-
tory.
The book consists of portraits of 18 korpus-18-
homes in 2011 and their inhabitants. Each home*
is represented as a story within the story, ac-
companied by brief facts about the families -
names, ages, professions, their histories of living
in Varketili - and information from the family
members, about their homes, their hopes,
dreams, or outlook on life.
2011 marked the 30th anniversary of Korpus 18.* The numbers on thefollowing pages indicatethe apartment numbers.
1
The apartment of Khatuna, 34, and her husband
Shota, 48. The couple moved to Varketili from their
home village seven years ago, in order to ensure
good school education for their children. Both are
unemployed. In the meantime, Shota lives in the
village again, about 100 km away from Varketili,
most of the year. Khatuna says: I don't like the
men drinking alcohol all the time. When my hus-
band comes home, he drinks with the others. The
children Ani, 13, Gocha, 9, and Makiami, 14, all at-
tend school in Varketili. In the photo frame on the
wall: Shota's younger brother, who died at an early
age in an accident in the village.
We sold our cows in the village to be able to buy this
apartment. Varketili was like paradise for me. I took my
children here out of the dark forest that our village was,
says Khatuna. The family bought the apartment for 5,000
USDollars - it is worth 30,000 today; the average monthly
income in Georgia is 200 USDollars.
Khatunas and
Shotas bedroom.
Above: View from the living room. Right: Bathroom.
10
Antonina, 70, her son-in-law, Zura, 45, and her daughter Nana, 46.
The family moved to Varketili four years ago, when they had the
chance to buy this apartment. Antonina says: "We moved here
from the city centre, and I like it so much better here. It's a cosy
place, it's got fresh air, and I can walk to the shops. I am an old
woman and I want to die here in Varketili." Nana's and Zura's son
Irakli, 21, also lives in the two-bedroom-apartment; he is an actor
and works in a Tbilisi theatre. Nana earns 8 Lari (approx. 5 Dollars)
per day from her work in a local shop. Antonina works as a nurse
in a hospital, Zura is unemployed. Nana's ambition is to buy a
house for her son, so that he can marry and set up a separate
family.
View from the living room.
71
Right: Anelia, 73, pensioner, with her cat Bagira
and the dog Lola. Above: Anelis and Anelias hus-
band Iuris son, who died in Russia ten years ago.
Both, Anelia and Iuri, 73, have worked as labora-
tory technicians in a Tbilisi flour factory for 30
years until the collapse of the economy due to
the fall of the Soviet Union. The couple had re-
ceived the four-bedroom-apartment in 1981 for
their merits in the factory. Anelia says: The build-
ing was just finished, it was the first in Varketili,
and we were so proud. The apartment was huge
and very modern compared to what we had be-
fore. Today, she does not like the people in Var-
ketili and spends most of her time at home.
Many people here are from villages, there are
foreigners, they are too loud, have a different cul-
ture, and little education. They shout out the win-
dows all the time.
Above: The familys dog, Lola. Right: The living room.
Anelia and Iuri share the apartment with their
daughter Nina, 50, unemployed, Nina's husband
Alexander, 50, a sports teacher, and Nina's and
Alexander's son Iuri, 29, a dentist. Anelia and Iuri
together receive a monthly state pension of 120
Dollars. Anelia mends their income by cleaning
two Korpus-18-shops on a daily basis, she gets 60
USD for this every month. Anelia's biggest wish is
a higher pension, to cover everyday costs. I want
to be able to pay taxes and utilities, to buy food. I
am tired of having to sell our objects of value to fi-
nance normal purchases, like my new glasses, that I
had to buy three months ago. I have not bought
anything important for the last 20 years. In the
photo: Anelia's husband Iuri in the couple's bed-
room, taking a mid-day nap.
42
Nato, 49, her husband Malkhazi, 57, and their sons
Konstantine, 16, and Giorgi, 15. Nato and Malkhazi
are both English teachers. Today, Nato is a house-
wife and receives a modest government allowance
as a refugee from Georgia's separatist region
Abkhasia. Malkhazi gives private English lessons.
The family survives from day to day. Malkhazi says:
Here in Varketili people only think of how to have
money to go to the market. In the city, people
think of going to the theatre and opera. The fam-
ily bought the apartment ten years ago. They had
already lived in Varketili before.
People must be busy. It's not good if people have no work. Especially
the men. Women have things to do in the house, cooking, knitting,
keeping the house. What can the men do? Watch television and wait
for the phone to ring. There are no jobs. Whoever can, leaves the
country. I only have one friend left. (Malkhazi) Left: View from the
boys bedroom. Below: The study.
In the kitchen.
Natos and Malkhazi's bedroom.
13
Ia, 43, Tea's daughter Nugo, 13, and Ia's sister in
law Tea, 32. Tea's husband, Ia's brother, died one
year ago of a heart attack. Ia and Tea are both
lawyers, Ia works, Tea is unemployed. The apart-
ment belongs to the family since 1986. Ia's par-
ents Nugzari and Nana, both 66 years old and
retired, live in a village most of the year, and only
visit occasionally. When Tea is bored, she listens
to music or chats on the internet. I dream of
being somewhere else, I want to go to Paipai, in
Indonesia. I dream of changing my life. Left: Teas
bedroom.
The dining room, next to the kitchen. This area
was added to the original building by the munici-
pality recently, as the building, over the years, was
slightly leaning sideways.
Left: Teas bedroom. Above: Poster in the corridor.
8
Keti, 25, in her dining room. She shares the apartment
with her husband and her young child. The apartment
belongs to Ketis parents, who live in their home town
Khashuri. She and her husband married three years
ago, when he was 29. The husband is unemployd; Keti
has studied chemistry, but now only sometimes works
as beautician in her apartment. She earns around 100
USD from that work per month. Keti would like her
husband to find a good job with a high income. Her
family and their well-being is constantly on Ketis mind,
she dreams of having her own apartment one day. If
Keti could live anywhere in the world, she would like
to live in Rome, with her family. I like the Italians, they
are very similar to Georgians. Italy and its culture is
beautiful. The farthest place Keti has been to in the
world is Moscow, when she was ten years old. Left:
Dining room window.
Above and right: The living room.
52
Aza, 43, housewife. She shares the apartment with her husband
Merabi, 44, an engineer, and their son Alika, 21, who works as a
driver in Tbilisi. The last time Aza has left the apartment was a few
hours ago, when she bought some sweets in the shop downstairs.
Aza is unhappy to be unemployed, but has given up hope to find a
job, I do not like to financially depend on my husband. She con-
siders her home town Senaki her greatest treasure in life, if I
could, I would move back there. Asked where she would like to
travel in the world, she says: I would like to see Europe. I am from
that generation, when we were young, we could not travel to Eu-
rope. Thats why I always wanted to see it. So far, she has only
traveled in Georgia. Left: View from Alikas bedroom. Above: Aza in
the loggia.
The couples bedroom. Left:
Traditional knifes as decora-
tion on the bedroom walls.
The living room, with the
bedroom in the background.
46
The apartment of Inga, 43, her two
sons Kakha, 23, and Dito, 21, Ingas
sister in law Manana, 37, and Man-
anas daughter Tiko, 16. Left: The
childrens bedroom. Above: Inga in
the loggia.
Inga and her husband bought the apartment in 1995 for 4200 USD,
because the apartments in Varketili where very cheap then. Inga
thinks of Varketili today as a poor suburb, there is nothing inter-
esting here for my generation. Ingas husband died ten years ago
in an accident. She and her two sons have work and contribute to
the household income. Inga, originally a literature teacher, now
works in a bakery. She earns 120 USD per month. Above: The living
room with one of the bedrooms in the background. Left: Wall dec-
oration in the loggia.
85
Albina, 35, with her son Giorgi, 7. Albina says, I lived in Guria with
my family, but ten years ago my daughter Darejani got sick and we
had to move to Tbilisi to ensure her treatment. We rented the
apartment in Varketili and my husband and I started working here,
and we never returned to Guria. Left: The loggia. Above: Darejanis
room. Darejani is 20 years old today and studies at university in
Tbilisi.
Albina dreams about travelling to India, she watches Bollywood
movies and likes Indian jewellery. So far, the farthest place she has
been to is Baku, where she used to buy clothes, to re-sell them in
Tbilisi. When some of her customers did not pay her, she had to
give up the business. About Varketili she says: I cannot say if I like
Varketili or not. It's just the place where I am. Above and right:
The kitchen.
53
Tea, 34, with her sons Merabi, 6, and Dato, 8, in the
kitchen. Above: View from the kitchen window. Tea
and her husband Vitali, 50, bought the apartment 9
years ago. Vitali works as a mechanic, Tea has her own
clothes shop. If Tea had one wish for free, she would
ensure her sons to get an excellent education. The
last thing Tea bought was Coca Cola the day before.
Left: The boys bedroom. Below: Merabi and Dato playing comupter games in the living room.
5
Nukri, 32, in the familys living room. Nukri shares
the apartment with his brother Kakha, 34, a sol-
dier, Kakhas wife Tamuna, 20, and Tazo, 19, a cousin
from a village, who studies in Tbilisi. Nukris father
received the apartment during Soviet times in
1985. He had worked in a wood processing plant
in Tbilisi for 15 years. The father now lives with
Nukri's sister in Tbilisis suburb Lilo. Nukri is un-
employed. He suffers from kidney failure, and
needs a transplantation, but cannot afford the
40,000 USD for it. His biggest wish is to be able
to afford the operation and get well again. Nukri
undergoes blood exchange every two days. Be-
cause of his illness he receives a government pen-
sion of 40 USD per month. The last thing Nukri
purchased was a perfume, two weeks ago. His
most precious possession is his cell phone. If he
could meet a famous person, he would like to
meet Al Pacino, his biggest film hero. For a holiday,
Nukri would like to go to Jamaica, because of its
nature and the clean waters. The only holdiay he
has spent before was in Batumi on the Black Sea.
Kakhas and Tamunas bedroom.
Between 2006 and 2008 Kakha
has served in the Iraq war for
the Georgian army. The bed-
room is decorated with war
souvenirs and photos from Iraq,
as well as fluffy toys belonging
to Kakhas young wife.
Left: Bathroom. Above: Kitchen cupboard.
9
Left: Lali with her granddaughters
Dilara, 10, and Eketarina, 2. Dilara is
the daughter of Lalis daughter
Maka, who works in Antalya as an
animateur. Ekaterina is the daugh-
ter of Lalis other daughter, Ekate-
rina, who also lives in the
apartment, together with her hus-
band Soso, a rugby professional.
Lalis son Teimuraz and his wife Ana
also live here. The apartment was
given to Lali and her deceased hus-
band as compensation in 1984,
when their house in Tbilisis suburb
Afrika was destroyed. Lalis hus-
band was a crane driver for con-
struction sites. He died in 2003. His
photos together with candles dec-
orate the living room cupboard
(above).
Left: Home-made stewed fruit, stored on the balcony. Above: The kitchen.
Ekaterina looking out of the
living room onto the balcony.
84
Nanuli in her living room. She says: We spent all
our money in 1986 to buy furniture for this apart-
ment. After 1986 we never spent money on any-
thing again. I am old now. We had such a good life
in the Soviet Union, we had salaries. I was working
as a chemical engineer in a textile combinat in
Didube, Tbilisi; we were colouring clothes and
leather, my husband was also an engineer. And now
I'm thinking all the time why this happened to me,
we are poor now.
The apartment of Nanuli, 71, and her son Nugzari, 45. Nanuli's late
husband had received the apartment in 1986, for his work as an
engineer in a Tbilisi wool factory. Nanuli receives a monthly pen-
sion of 40 USD. Her son is unemployed, he has jobs occasionally.
Four weeks ago, he had a car accident, while driving drunk, and is
lying in bed with trauma and a broken leg. He was about to get
married in a months time, but the wedding was cancelled because
of the accident.
The ceiling in the living
room is covered with water
stains and needs repair,
which Nanuli cannot afford.
Chair in the kitchen.
86
Right: Ilona, 25, with her daughter Lana, 1. They share the apart-
ment with Ilonas husband Samuela, 29, their other daughter Ani, 7,
and Samuelas mother Opelia, 53. Ilona is a housewife, her husband
Samuela is a car mechanic, Opelia works as a shopkeeper. The
apartment was given to Opelia in 1981, when she gave birth to
twins - in the Soviet Union a reason to receive an apartment with
priority. Ilona moved into the apartment 9 years ago, when she
married Samuela, after he had kidnapped her. Her parents did not
agree with the kidnapping, but thought Samuela would make a
good husband. Ilona says: I am happy with my husband today. He
works and he does not drink. Ilona never went to school again
after the kidnapping, and never worked, as Samuela would not
allow that. Her dream is to have the bathroom repaired and to
have a washing machine. She would love to travel to the Black Sea
with her family for a holiday. Above: Ilonas and Samuelas bedroom.
Right: The kitchen. Left:
View through the bro-
ken kitchen window.
88
Left: Zina, 27, with her children David, 7, and Mariami, 4, in the liv-
ing room. Zinas husband Periza, 27, is at work, he currently works
for a bread distributor. Zina is a housewife, the couples income is
approximately 200 USD per month. The family moved into the
apartment one year ago, when they sold another apartment in Var-
ketili and bought this one for 50,000 USD. Zina thinks about the
familys economic situation most of the time, about the future of
my children and the country. I want to have peace here. I have so
many relatives abroad, in Russia and in other countries, and they
are doing fine there. I will see if life will goes wrong here. I
wouldnt mind moving to another country, if necessary. I have rela-
tives in France, and if things get too difficult here, I would move to
France. Her biggest wish is for David to recover. He suffers from
an eye disease, and is almost blind on his left eye. The frequent
laser treatments cost the family 50 USD per month. Above: The
dining room.
Left: The living room. Above: Decoration in the childrens room.
Right: David watches TV
in the childrens room.
Left: Mariami at her desk.
30
Zura and his mother in the living room, with
Zuras painting on the wall. Due to his illness, a
bone weakness, Zura was never able to work. He
spends most of his time at home, on his computer
or painting. If he could live anywhere in the world,
he would like to live in Japan, because of its im-
mense neatness, and the Japanese are very intelli-
gent. The last time Zura has left the apartment,
was three days ago, when he went for a walk in
the city centre of Tbilisi. Sitting around at home is
very boring, and when I go out, I am also more in-
spired for my paintings. If Zura could meet a fa-
mous person, he would like to meet Michael
Jordan; I love sports and sportsmen, and Michael
is the one I always wanted to meet. Zuras biggest
dream for 2012 is to have his own atelier.
The apartment of Zura, 40, and his mother Makhvala, 69. The
apartment was given to the family in 1985. Makhvalas husband
died two years ago, he was a cabinetmaker, and many of the apart-
ments fitments were made by him, like the loggia furniture on the
left. Zura is physically handicapped, he and his mother live off a
monthly rent of approximately 100 USD. Above: Loggia window
with vine growing outside along the balcony.
In the kitchen.
The kitchen wall,
above the telephone.
69
The apartment of the Sarjveladze
family. Lamara (middle), 59, and her
two sons Irakli, 35, and Lasha, 25;
also in the picture: Christina, 29,
Iraklis wife, and their son Giorgi,
on Lamaras lap. The apartment be-
longs to Lamara and her husband
Omari, 68. It was given to Omari in
1984, for his merits in his profes-
sional life. Omari is a bookkeeper,
and still works as accountant today.
He is the only family member with
a regular job, he earns approxi-
mately 400 USD per month.
Lamara just came home from the
church, where she bought a picture
for Giorgi, its his birthday today. If
Lamara had a wish for free, she
would like her son Irakli and his
wife to have an apartment of their
own. The farthest away place
Lamara has been to is Akhalkhalaki,
a town near the Armenian border,
where she worked as a cook dur-
ing the summer, for a European
earthquake research group.
Right: View from
Christinas and Iraklis
bedroom. Below: The
bathroom.
Left: Giorgi in Christinas and Iraklis bedroom. Above: In the kitchen.
2
Mariam 34, and her mother Nani, 55. They share the apartment
with Nani's son Giorgi, 37 (Mariam's brother), and Mari, 13,
Giorgi's daughter. The apartment was given to Nani's husband
Ushangi (in the picture frame on top of the piano; he died in 1994)
in 1985, for merits in his work life. Nani's work in a bakery is the
only source of income for the family. Mariam spends most of her
time at home. She last left the apartment two days ago to go to
church. If I had one wish for free, I would love to meet the Patri-
arch.
Left: The bathroom. Above: Wallpaper in the kitchen.
The loggia with TV, located be-
tween the balcony, kitchen and
living room.
Korpus 18, July 2011.
KORPUS 18 is a Soviet era apartment block built in 1981 in Tbilisi, Georgia. The building was the first of several dozens to be finished in the area in the early 1980s. Korpus 18 is a 9-floor concrete housing complex with 7 staircases, each leading to 18 apartments, it is home to 126 families. This book portrays 18 families in Korpus 18 in 2011, 30 years after its construction.