Digimodernist collection /Nika Putkaradze's "Echoes of Stillness"/

Abstract

The dawn of the XXI century is distinguished by discussions among postmodern theorists about the culmination of the postmodern era and exploring the limits of its influence in the realm of art. Concurrently, numerous theories have emerged, each aspiring to succeed the postmodernist narrative. This signifies a shift towards supplanting the prevailing cultural paradigm with a novel one.        Among these emerging cultural paradigms, Digimodernism stands out as particularly intriguing. It diverges from previously analyzed metamodernism in its broader scope, encompassing not only the arts but also embracing the revolutionary wave of new technologies. These technologies exert a profound influence across all facets of society in the XXI century, including arts and culture. In the era marked by new cultural paradigms, the essence of Digimodernist texts has evolved; they have adopted a digital persona.

            Nika Futkaradze's "Echoes of Stillness" (2022) is a prime exemplar of the Digimodernist movement. The collection harmoniously blends youthful and sincere lyrical expressions, infused with a "new romanticism," with the original rock compositions of his brother, the talented musician Giorgi Futkaradze, and classical music by Sandro Nebieridze. This amalgamation finds its visual representation in video art and clips, directed by Anri Futkaradze, accessible through QR codes in the book linking to a YouTube channel. These videos feature the artwork of young painter Ioseb Jorbenadze and the choreography of Sesili Davitadze. It’s a fact that organic synthesis of poetry, music, painting, choreography, and cinematic art, is a synthesis unattainable without the integration of contemporary digital technologies.      Nika Futkaradze's analytical compilation "Echoes of Stillness" addresses pressing contemporary issues, positioning it as a noteworthy contribution to the metamodernist discourse. It can be said, Digimodernism and metamodernism represent two facets of the same coin, reflecting different aspects of the post-postmodern era and the emerging cultural paradigm. Alan Kirby's term highlights the digital nature of this trend, while metamodernism, as defined by Vermeulen, Akeru, and Turner, focuses on new tendencies within the literary arts. These movements are vividly apparent in Futkaradze's work, which captures the artist's nuanced perspective on global, historical, and contemporary dilemmas. His multifaceted vision employs not just words but a symphony of artistic elements—melody, color, and movement—making his Digimodernist collection a testament to the beautiful synthesis of these diverse forms.