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By Sena Huh, Editor
Nino Macharashvili, a contemporary art curator from Georgia, is making significant strides in the art world. Having moved to the East Coast less than a year ago, she has already successfully curated her first exhibition with the Fort Lee Art Group (FLAG), introducing a multitude of Georgian and North American contemporary artists to the local community. With over 60 exhibitions to her name, Macharashvili aims to expand the contemporary art scene and help artists thrive.
Interviewer: Could you introduce yourself and your art group to us, and tell me a little about your background?
Nino Macharashvili: I am a curator and director of FLAG Art Group, a vibrant organization for art and culture in the Metropolitan Area. FLAG supports emerging and established artists through live exhibitions, an online gallery, artist interviews, and printed catalogues. Our mission is to promote artists, foster collaboration, and bridge the gap between art and business.
I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Art History and Theory at Tbilisi State University and began my PhD studies in 2012. My experience includes working at Project ArtBeat, where I organized exhibitions nationally and internationally. Notably, in 2018-19, I curated exhibitions at the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts in Tbilisi.
Interviewer: Was it always your dream to become a curator? What attracted you the most to this field?
Macharashvili: Yes, art has been a part of my life since childhood. My grandmother, a director at the Culture House in Georgia, nurtured my love for art, taking me to museums and galleries. Despite the challenges of making a living in this field, my passion for the arts kept me dedicated.
Interviewer: Can you tell me about your accomplishments in Georgia?
Macharashvili: Born in Tbilisi, a city rich in contemporary art, I am a PhD candidate and lecturer at Tbilisi State University. I co-founded the artistic residency ARCHEID and curated innovative projects like the exhibition at a former wine factory in Imereti. In 2018-2019, I curated exhibitions at the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts, incorporating programs like "Music at the Museum."
Interviewer: What event led you to move to the United States?
Macharashvili: New York is the epicenter of contemporary art. Visiting my brother here, I spent time attending exhibitions, enriching my PhD research. Fort Lee became my home in June 2019, and meeting Sylvia Kim marked the beginning of my journey with FLAG.
Interviewer: Which exhibition stands out as the most memorable?
Macharashvili: "Shots Across the Plane," a video show curated with Jeremy Gales in May 2018 at the Museum of Modern Arts in Tbilisi, is particularly memorable. It featured works by renowned artists like Janet Biggs and Hito Steyerl, most shown in Georgia for the first time. Another standout was "The Book for the New Aristocracy" in Tskaltubo in 2018.
Interviewer: What is your next project?
Macharashvili: After FLAG’s premiere show, "All Media, All Cultures - Beyond Cultural Identities," we are planning the next issue of our gallery catalogue and organizing a second group exhibition in March 2020. Stay updated through our website and social media pages.
Exhibits from the Museums Repository, Georgian Museum of Fine Arts, Tbilisi, Georgia, 2018
Project ArtBeat booth at ArtInternational, Istanbul, Turkey, 2015
