Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig at LC Queisser

Artists: Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig

Venue: LC Queisser, Tbilisi, Georgia

Date: February 26 – April 30, 2023

Photography: all images copyright and courtesy of the artists and LC Queisser

In Elene Chantaldze’s work everything seems to emerge from childhood and early education. From a past that finds each of her subjects and shapes everything they do.
After having spent time with Elene Chantladze’s works I can see the presence of one’s first experiences. I am reminded of what was there in the beginning and belongs to the past, but remains to come back to us. I know where I am, but I do not feel as if I am in the place where I find myself.

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Simon Lässig, There’s something like pain in the room, and it‘s partly overcome: but the weight of objects wins, 2023, silver gelatine print, 30 × 24 cm (11 3/4 × 9 1/2 inches)

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Simon Lässig, 2:23 minutes from: Anyaság, 1974, As I watch Anyaság (Motherhood) from 1974, I come to know again how one learns to look through other people, how we take in, adapt and alter their thoughts, views and feelings. And if the rest of the film speaks about how we mimic and repeat–about how we are conditioned–then these stretched 2 minutes and 23 seconds remind us of the opposite: Of a moment in which we look out into the world and do not see ourselves reflected back. A reality comes into being that is closed off and something I’ve seen before repeats itself., 2022, Digital video, sound, 4:46

Simon Lässig, 2:23 minutes from: Anyaság, 1974, As I watch Anyaság (Motherhood) from 1974, I come to know again how one learns to look through other people, how we take in, adapt and alter their thoughts, views and feelings. And if the rest of the film speaks about how we mimic and repeat–about how we are conditioned–then these stretched 2 minutes and 23 seconds remind us of the opposite: Of a moment in which we look out into the world and do not see ourselves reflected back. A reality comes into being that is closed off and something I’ve seen before repeats itself., 2022, Digital video, sound, 4:46

Simon Lässig, 2:23 minutes from: Anyaság, 1974, As I watch Anyaság (Motherhood) from 1974, I come to know again how one learns to look through other people, how we take in, adapt and alter their thoughts, views and feelings. And if the rest of the film speaks about how we mimic and repeat–about how we are conditioned–then these stretched 2 minutes and 23 seconds remind us of the opposite: Of a moment in which we look out into the world and do not see ourselves reflected back. A reality comes into being that is closed off and something I’ve seen before repeats itself., 2022, Digital video, sound, 4:46

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze, Untitled, 2018, Mixed media on paper, 20.5 × 14.5 cm (8 1/8 × 5 3/4 inches)

Elene Chantladze, Untitled, Mixed media on cardboard, 12.3 × 10.3 cm (4 7/8 × 4 inches)

Elene Chantladze, Untitled, 2022, Mixed media on cardboard, 10 × 12 cm (3 7/8 × 4 3/4 inches)

Elene Chantladze, Me Bunebis, Mixed Media on wood, 14 × 30 cm (5 1/2 × 11 3/4 inches)

Elene Chantladze, Untitled, 2017, Mixed media on paper, 28 × 21 cm (11 × 8 1/4 inches)

Elene Chantladze, ოტია იოსელიანი, ნოველები (Otia Ioseliani – Novels), 2014, Mixed media on cardboard, 24 × 20 cm (9 1/2 × 7 7/8 inches); Elene Chantladze, Untitled, Mixed media on paper, 17.5 × 13 cm (6 7/8 × 5 1/8 inches)

Elene Chantladze, Untitled, 2018, Mixed media on paper, 20 × 14 cm (7 7/8 × 5 1/2 inches); Elene Chantladze, Untitled, 24.06.2021, Mixed media on cardboard, 20.5 × 20.5 cm (8 1/8 × 8 1/8 inches)

Elene Chantladze, The Mayor, Mixed media on cardboard, 24.5 × 16 cm (9 5/8 × 6 1/4 inches)

Elene Chantladze, Untitled, Mixed media on paper, 19.2 × 24.5 cm (7 1/2 × 9 5/8 inches)

Elene Chantladze, Untitled, Mixed media on cardboard, 10.5 × 9.5 cm (4 1/8 × 3 3/4 inches)

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Elene Chantladze and Simon Lässig, 2023, exhibition view, LC Queisser, Tbilisi

Simon Lässig, There’s something like a destination in the room, and it has already taken place: but the weight of its direction lasts, 2023, silver gelatine print, 30 × 24 cm (11 3/4 × 9 1/2 inches)