KETUTA ALEXI-MESKHISHVILI
KETUTA ALEXI-MESKHISHVILI is wearing the Polly no.003. She is an artist living in Berlin, Germany.
What is most difficult to find in contemporary culture?
Empathy.
What do you find most exciting in contemporary culture?
That it can tell us so much about ourselves.
What do you treasure most in your neighbourhood or city?
In Tbilisi I treasure how my daughter can roam, unsupervised on our street all day with the neighbourhood kids. In Berlin, multiple languages spoken in the nearby parks, as well as our proximity to our studios and friends, are all gems.
Where do you imagine you would find your doppelgänger?
As a child I imagined her on another planet, which was identical to ours, but with days and nights reversed. I would dream her waking life and she dreamt mine because we were connected in our sleep.
Who is an inspirational figure?
Anyone who overcomes their circumstances through their commitment to justice or art.
Do you have a soundtrack to your life?
I find soundtracks distracting, even in films.
What is good design?
Earth without humans sounds pretty good. Humans did create some good design however: from the Coca Cola logo to Carlo Mollino, from Aldi totes to Chanel 2.55 bags, there is so much to choose from.
Where do you find good design?
Everywhere
What should we be reading?
We should be reading Octavia Butler, of course.
What is your favorite word in any language?
ორსული. Which in Georgian literally means “two souls“ and refers to a pregnant woman.
What do you collect?
Trash to make art out of.
The best arthouse film?
I always go back to “Vagabond” by Agnes Varda.
What was the first piece of cultural work that really mattered to you?
Having grown up surrounded by art and artists, it is very hard to choose. As a young child I do remember attempting to visualise the vibrancy of colours in Russian fairy tales.
What is still a mystery?
Music
What is your favourite representation of simplicity?
Things that appear simple are usually complex underneath.
What is your favourite representation of complexity?
Capitalism.
What do you find humorous?
Everything
What do you see outside your window?
Trees.
Can you define the words ‘timeless’ and ‘contemporary’?
Something contemporary is inherently related to the particular time of its inception, while something timeless manages to stay relevant in multiple contemporaneities.
What are you working on at the moment?
Getting through the lockdown and coming Berlin winter. I reckon, there will be a lot of cooking and shooting of polaroids.
What is your favorite slogan?
Slow and steady wins the race.
What was the last thing you photographed?
Myself for this interview :)