In the heart of Tbilisi, where cobblestone streets intertwine with centuries of cultural resilience, a bold experiment unfolded in January 2025. The Tbilisi Photography and Multimedia Museum transformed into a crucible of creative defiance with the FEARLESS emergency art market, a dynamic and urgent response to the political, societal and artistic crises shaking Georgia. Over three intense days, from January 11 to 14, visitors entered not merely an art market, but a manifesto of unity and resistance.
When Art Fights Back: The Birth of FEARLESS
How does a society under strain respond creatively? FEARLESS was born in the crucible of Georgia’s socio-political turmoil, where protests dominated streets and cultural spaces faced closures. The organizers aptly termed it an “emergency art market,” signaling urgency and purpose. This wasn’t simply a marketplace; it was a declaration that art is an essential lifeline.
FEARLESS exemplifies what cultural theorist Stuart Hall describes as “cultural resistance,” where marginalized voices claim space against dominant narratives. By situating itself at the intersection of crisis and creativity, the event spotlighted art as a medium for both survival and transformation.
A Vibrant Coalition: Participating Galleries and Artists
Who dared to be fearless? FEARLESS brought together a coalition of Georgia’s most dynamic galleries and platforms, including Artbeat, Window Project, Patara, Obscura, and 4710 Gallery. These participants, ranging from established institutions to emerging collectives, embodied the rich diversity of Georgian contemporary art.
The diversity of participants—from the avant-garde experimentation of Kunsthalle Tbilisi to the intimate, reflective works showcased by Patara Gallery—underscored a collective ethos. It was a rare and powerful convergence, where established institutions like LC Queisser shared space with smaller, independent initiatives like E.A. Shared Space and Kurorti.
Three days of FEARLESS sparked a wave of inspiration that continues to shape Georgia’s cultural landscape. Participating galleries reported renewed interest and expanded collaborations, while artists gained both financial support and heightened visibility.
The event’s impact wasn’t confined to Georgia. FEARLESS has become a blueprint for cultural activism globally, urging institutions to prioritize resilience and solidarity in times of crisis. Its legacy challenges art spaces worldwide to rethink their roles—from passive exhibitors to active agents of change.
Solidarity as a Masterpiece: The Philosophy Behind FEARLESS
What made FEARLESS more than a market was its underlying ethos of solidarity. Borrowing from sociologist Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of cultural capital, FEARLESS redefined the value of art. Here, purchasing a painting or photograph was not merely a financial exchange but an act of socio-political support.
The event’s structure mirrored principles of “commoning,” as described by sociologist Massimo De Angelis. FEARLESS treated art as a shared resource—a communal asset rather than an exclusive commodity. Visitors became stakeholders in a collective effort to sustain Georgia’s cultural fabric.
Can art be both a commodity and a tool of resistance? FEARLESS challenged this dichotomy by reframing the market as a site of ethical engagement. Philosopher Jacques Rancière’s “politics of aesthetics” finds fertile ground here; the event disrupted traditional hierarchies of art consumption, prioritizing intent and solidarity over exclusivity.
FEARLESS also raised critical questions about the commodification of struggle. Could selling art dilute its message? Or does it amplify its reach? The event’s success suggests the latter: each transaction became an act of allegiance, aligning buyers with the artists’ fight for cultural and political autonomy.
A Museum Turned Arena: The Power of Space
The Tbilisi Photography and Multimedia Museum, nestled in the iconic Stamba Hotel, served as more than a venue. It became a symbolic battleground where art and activism converged. The museum’s industrial aesthetic—raw concrete juxtaposed with polished exhibition spaces—perfectly encapsulated the event’s ethos of beauty born from struggle.
By dedicating its space to FEARLESS, the museum blurred lines between institutional authority and grassroots activism. It elevated the participating artists while grounding their works in the immediacy of public engagement. Visitors described the experience as “intensely personal,” where art’s emotional resonance met its political significance.
FEARLESS was more than an event; it was a movement. It declared that art is indispensable, especially in times of uncertainty. It united artists, curators, and audiences in a shared mission to preserve and protect Georgia’s cultural vitality. It seeded a future where creativity thrives against all odds—a future that is, above all, fearless.
By Ivan Nechaev
