Sopo Kashakashvili

Looking back, what did you most enjoy about your time at Bard College Berlin?

Living in dorms, sharing a kitchen, and embracing campus life taught me the essence of community - how it's built and what it can become. These experiences still influence my practice today. Collaborating with peers was transformative; co-founding a 'Cultural Journalism' YouTube channel at BCB connected me to the city and various projects, while teaching me technical skills like using cameras, recording audio, and working on sets. Having my first studio at the Factory allowed me to create projects, interventions, and exhibitions. Above all, the most memorable moments were the collaborations with students and professors, both on and off campus.

How would you describe, in a nutshell, the experience of studying at BCB?

A wheel of fortune where you can get many tries.

Write briefly about one of your courses that left a lasting impression on you.

All the courses with professor Geoff Lehman and artist Dafna Maimon. Geoff taught me how to perceive and soak in various mediums of art, simply by spending time with them for hours. Nowhere else did I experience these kind of seminars. Dafna Maimon enhanced my knowledge on contemporary art and was the one who, at the end of my final year, encouraged me to apply to art schools. Both of them were my thesis advisors; I still think it was a perfect match.

How has BCB influenced the path you've taken since completing the program?

I believe BCB played a key role in my development as an artist. I am really happy I made a decision to pursue art school after completing my B.A. and got accepted to Städelschule with my portfolio. BCB gave me a very strong theoretical as well as practical knowledge over the years.

Where are you now and what are you doing?

Currently, I am mostly based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany and Ghana. I work as an artist and educator teaching children and young adults courses on alternative education in arts and design. I work collectively with commune6x3 and simultaneously, am working on a sculpture park and reforestation project in Ghana with my long term collaborator artist, Larry Bonćhaka.

Any advice you would give to students considering BCB?

BCB (formerly ECLA of Bard) has been a great place for me to learn how to research, write, learn how to present, and look at art in all possible angles. As an artist now, I would not go back and change anything. The key is to stay focused, especially if you find an area you feel comfortable, passionate, and confident in- keep working.