Vajiko Chachkhiani's Georgian Pavilion at 2017 Venice Biennale Features Rain-Soaked Wooden House Installation

Vajiko Chachkhiani represents Georgia at the 2017 Venice Biennale with an installation in the Arsenale. He will transport an abandoned wooden house from the Georgian countryside to the pavilion, complete with furniture and personal objects. Inside, a self-contained irrigation system will create permanent rain, illuminated by weak yellow light visible through windows. Over the six-month exhibition period from May 13 to November 26, 2017, the constant watering will transform the interior through disintegration and moss growth while the exterior remains unchanged. Chachkhiani describes this evolving process as following a natural dramaturgy, creating its own narrative over time. The artist notes that preparing for Venice involves more time and scale than typical exhibitions, though his approach remains similar. When asked about representing his country, Chachkhiani hopes to represent the voice of people rather than seeing it as either an honor or problematic. He recalls the Danish Pavilion by Danh Vo as his best memory from the previous Biennale. ArtReview published this questionnaire as part of a series leading up to the Biennale opening.