Over 11 intensive days, from 25 August to 5 September, 9 students, researchers, and practitioners from Georgia, the UK, Japan, Italy, Egypt, and Bulgaria immersed themselves in the breathtaking landscape of Samshvilde Canyon.
Congratulations to the participants: Sara Amin Sadek (AA), Rati Begijanashvili (Free University of Tbilisi), Teona Beridze (UG), Monika Dzimistarishvili (UG), Leila Hajek (University of Edinburgh), Hiroo Kitabayashi (Institute of Science Tokyo), Lilyana Popova (Practicing Architect in Bulgaria), Erekle Samsonia (Georgian Technical University), and Tekla Sandodze (Georgian Technical University) for their visionary work presented during final review.
Under the mentorship of the heads of the programme, Nodar Kvanchiani, Salome Gugunava, Levan Dzegvelashvili, and Ucha Zghudadze, alongside international tutors and invited lecturers Doreen Bernath, Claire Potter, Hiroaki Yamane, and Sheer Gritzershtein, the cohort developed exceptional research and projects. These spanned analytical architectural diagrams and maps, digital and hand drawings, 3D photogrammetry, GIS mapping, the study of soundscapes, daily creative writing on site, hand molded clay ornaments, and small scale architectural interventions.
Alongside the intensive learning programme, several complementary activities were organised: hiking excursions towards the monastery complex and river valleys, a wine tasting tour exploring local viticulture, a culinary workshop introducing and preparing regional dishes, and a wood workshop sessions dedicated to fabricating small scale structure.
The Visiting School culminated in final presentations featuring on site installations of temporary physical projects, including land art and small scale structures within the context of the ruined city of Samshvilde. Through physical and research projects conducted amongst ancient ruins and stone relics, participants demonstrated that the ruined city, with its silent historical architectural heritage, can be read as an active, living, and expanding archive.
This year marked the inaugural stage of this multiyear, multidisciplinary research initiative. Next year, during the same period in the second half of August, second cohort will be welcomed. The initiative aims to expand student enrolment, and further broaden and diversify the scope of the research project.
Project team expresses sincere gratitude to Professor David Berikashvili and archaeologist Irakli Gurgenishvili for hosting at the Archaeological Base of the UG in Samshvilde, to participants and the AA Visiting School and the UG representatives, dedicated tutors, and the generous sponsors and supporters for making this visiting summer school an unforgettable story of friendship and collaboration.
Follow the updates around the project here.
