Archival Land(e)scapes: Material Fragments of Samshvilde

Summer Visiting School: Archival Land(e)scapes
Location: Samshvilde, Georgia
Dates: 26 August – 5 September 2026
Programme Heads: Nodar Kvanchiani, Ucha Zghudadze, Dzegvelashvili, Salome Gugunava

Brief:
Located in the South Caucasus, the ruined fortified city of Samshvilde contains the remnants of a traffic system, elevated gardens, megalithic structures, menhirs, graves, a citadel and churches that date back to the fourth and third century BCE. Where archaeologists are drawn to the city as a site of archaeological excavation, architects, writers and spatial researchers have the opportunity to uncover what is scattered on the surface.

Taking place for its first iteration in 2026, this multi-year programme focuses on the material artefacts that can be found amongst Samshvilde’s ruins. The workshop will research and reconstruct the material structures, living conditions and silence histories of the city. These findings will be disseminated through publications, exhibitions and public events – unearthing forgotten histories and addressing questions about the politics of time and neglected landscapes.

Participants will live and work at the University of Georgia’s archaeological base, engage with archaeologists and local communities, and join excursions to a museum, stone quarry, local winery and agricultural school. Four groups will explore on different thematic areas: Land Art, Mapping, Writing and Micro-Scale Intervention. The programme will conclude with the construction of micro-scale structures using local materials which will be presented in public.

Skills:
Participants will engage in cross-disciplinary fieldwork at the intersection of architecture, writing, archaeology, anthropology and other related fields. Through the research process, they will develop skills in:
-On-site research and fieldwork
-Land art and small-scale construction
-Archiving the research process through creative writing, photography and different media
-Hand and digital drawing
-Gain hands-on experience with local materials and craft techniques
-Develop collective and personal design and reflection practices

Fees:
Full Fee – £850
50% Scholarship – £425
Full Scholarship – £60
Fees include accommodation and catering. Fees do not include flights and insurance. Students can bring their own laptops, digital equipment, photo or video cameras. Model making tools, necessary materials and equipment will be provided.

Eligibility:
This highly competitive programme is limited to 12 places and is open to all, especially to current students, recent graduates and practitioners in architecture, landscape and urban design, as well as PhD candidates and professionals interested in research-based projects. We also welcome those studying creative writing, photography, archaeology, art, anthropology, humanities, human geography, philosophy and material or cultural studies.

Application:
Fully and partially funded participants will be selected on the basis of a 300-word cover letter, portfolio (design portfolio, written piece, photography or other media) and CV. Please submit the required documents to the programme head via email. Scholarship applications close on 5th July, 2026. (New Deadline)

General Applications for this programme close on 31 July 2026.

To apply, participants are required to send their CV, portfolio (5-10 pages), and a 150 to 300 word motivation letter directly to nodar.kvanchiani@aaschool.ac.uk or archivallandescapes@ug.edu.ge.

Read more