# The Art of Stillness: Finding Home Through Tbilisi’s Street Chairs

A Russian émigré documents the unique street culture of Georgia’s capital city.

- **Source:** [Meduza English](https://meduza.io/en)
- **Published:** 2026-11-09
- **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture)
- **Original article:** <https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/11/10/the-art-of-sitting-still-how-the-street-chairs-of-tbilisi-georgia-s-capital-taught-a-russian-emigre-to-slow-down>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/7176c9a0-e167-4371-adfa-414aa30a558b

## An Unexpected Urban Phenomenon

Upon moving from Moscow to Tbilisi in 2022, Alexander Zakharenkov noticed a distinct local habit of placing armchairs and couches on public streets. These makeshift seating areas served as communal rest spots for vendors and residents. Zakharenkov began documenting these unique objects, eventually turning his fascination into a creative video essay project.

## Learning to Slow Down

Zakharenkov initially struggled with the fast-paced lifestyle he brought from Moscow, often feeling anxious while walking through the city. Observing Georgians relaxing on street chairs taught him to adopt a slower, more deliberate pace of life. This cultural shift became a central theme in his artistic exploration of the city's public spaces.

## The Social Experiment

To better understand the city, Zakharenkov placed his own chair outside his apartment building and monitored it from his tenth-floor balcony. His first chair was stolen within five hours, prompting him to chain a second one to a heavy cinder block. This experiment provided a unique perspective on local neighborhood dynamics and ownership.

## A Moment in History

During Georgia’s celebration of qualifying for the European Championship, Zakharenkov’s chained chair was moved by a neighbor closer to the road. By sheer coincidence, a Google Street View car captured the chair in its new location that same day. The object thus became a permanent, digitized part of the city's public record.

## Identity and Displacement

Born in Russia to a Georgian father, Zakharenkov navigated a complex identity while living in Tbilisi as an émigré. He often felt like a stranger among his own people while simultaneously facing the challenges of being a Russian in Georgia. The chair project served as a tool for him to feel connected to his surroundings.

## Technical Artistic Approach

The final video essay combines three distinct visual formats: analog film photographs, modern digital video, and surveillance-style footage captured from his balcony. By intentionally excluding people from his frames, Zakharenkov focused entirely on the chairs as silent witnesses to the city's daily life, avoiding direct social commentary on the people sitting there.

## Moving to Belgrade

After two years in Tbilisi, Zakharenkov relocated to Serbia, noting that he never fully felt at home in Georgia. While he has observed similar street furniture in Belgrade, he considers the chair project finished. He now intends to pursue a different creative endeavor that reflects his new environment rather than repeating his previous work.

## Reflecting on the Experience

The project resonated with audiences, drawing comparisons to the documentary style of John Wilson. Although his second chair was eventually stolen by someone using a hammer to break the chain, Zakharenkov views the experience as a meaningful chapter in his life. It remains a testament to his attempt to find belonging through observation.

## Sources covering this story

- https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/11/10/the-art-of-sitting-still-how-the-street-chairs-of-tbilisi-georgia-s-capital-taught-a-russian-emigre-to-slow-down — 

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_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._