Photographs of Edward Curtis exhibited in Georgia
By Mariam Chanishvili
Friday, September 22
This week, the Georgian National Museum, the State Silk Museum and Art Palace of Georgia have showcased Edward Curtis & the North American Indian: Motherland, Tradition, Spirituality. The works have been exhibited in three parts.
Part one, Daily Life, opened at the State Silk Museum on September 20.
Part two, The Creative Expression of Spiritual Beliefs was exhibited at the Art Palace of Georgia on September 21, and part three - A Changing Homeland - will open at Georgian National Museum on September 22.
The photographs are museum-quality reproductions from the collections of the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress, Washington, DC, where the originals are preserved. The photographs will be on display for one month.
Edward Curtis spent 30 years traveling around America, picturing the everyday life of native Americans. About 80 000 pictures were taken throughout his journey. He also recorded native music.
The events that have taken place during the exhibition include a Photo Competition, Ambrotype Master class, and Educational Program for School Children.
State Silk Museum prepared a special educational program for school children, which has theoretical and practical parts.
The Master class about the special method of photography, Ambrotype, spread in the mid XIX century will be held at 13:00 on September 24.
The current exhibitions were organized as a cooperative effort by the United States Embassy in Georgia and the three Georgian museums.
The United States Ambassador to Georgia, Ian C. Kelly attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.
“Georgia is a land of treasures: Georgian people and wonderful natural resources, also your museums and rich cultural heritage. We are eager to share our experience. Several designers and curators were sent to the United Stated (US) with an exchange, in order to learn how American museums run businesses,” said Kelly.
These designers and curators had an opportunity to work with Patrick Gallagher, who is an American designer, the President and Founder of Gallagher & Associates (G&A). The aim of this exchange is to gather knowledge and deepen connections among the museum communities.
Ambassador Kelly also discussed the issue of museum incomes. He noted that in the US the vast majority of their incomes come from the visitors and donations, which differs how Georgian Museums receive revenues. The museums in the US use less of the finances from the state.
The Ambassador gratefully acknowledged generous support of the Georgian National Museum, the Art Palace of Georgia, Rooms Hotels, Elit Electronics, Georgian-American University and the Library of Congress for making these exhibitions possible.
