Alaverdoba 1928

This photograph, Alaverdoba, by David Kakabadzé, shows us the relationship between the material culture of rural life, and the enduring architecture of religion. Look closely at the carts. They have been constructed from roughly hewn wood, woven branches and old rugs, all worked together through necessity. These resourceful methods of construction and repair are typical of rural communities, where craft is not a leisure pursuit, but a basic technology of survival. The image gives a valuable glimpse into the material conditions of early 20th century rural life. The labor required to produce these vehicles, the way they function as both transport and home, speaks of a direct relationship with the land. Kakabadzé asks us to consider the relationship between the built environment and the world of craft. In doing so, he prompts us to reflect on the labor, politics, and consumption that all objects embody.