making food out of sunlight

On 9 April 1989, a peaceful demonstration by students in Tbilisi was violently put down by the Soviet army, resulting in many injuries and deaths. Since then, tulips have been a symbol and reminder of resistance to Russian imperialism. Exactly 36 years later on 9 April 2025, the exhibition making food out of sunlight by artist Ketuta Alexi-Meskhishvili will open in the freely accessible space Het Oog in the Van Abbemuseum. The artist shows the power of image and memory in times of oppression.

Ketuta Alexi-Meskhishvili’s work consists of dye-sublimation prints (a printing technique in which ink is absorbed into the material by heat), analogue photographs and film. Her work addresses the role of art as a form of resistance. She reflects on the power of image and memory in times of oppression. Alexi-Meskhishvili emphasises her floral works in this exhibition. For instance, tulips and other flowers symbolise solidarity while making us reflect on how fragile peace is. The presentation reminds visitors of the current situation in Georgia and the associated threat from the Russian Federation. Alexi-Meskhishvili draws inspiration in her work from the surrealist artist Florence Henri (known particularly for her photography).