"The Dynasties. Parallel perspectives “
By Mariam Chanishvili
Monday, July 2
The architectural exhibition - "The Dynasties. Parallel perspectives "- connected to the 200-year old Georgian-German relationship was opened on June 27 in Tbilisi History Museum (Karvasla).
The exhibition was presented by the Goethe Institute of Georgia with the support of the Georgian National Museum.
The exhibition brings together almost a century of historical and cultural, in particular, architectural heritage of the two countries - Georgia and Germany and two families - the Bohms and the Kurdianis .
Exhibits and photos from the family archives associated with specific historic context are on display, as well as various documents, featuring the creative life and key architectural projects created by Bohms and Kurdianis.
The audience will have an opportunity to see compilation of photos by Harun Farocki (1944-2014) titled “Stalin’s Museum in Gori” that is exhibited in Georgia, Karvasla Hall for the second time. In his photos, Farocki underscores the importance of contexts created by ideologies and/or political regimes, or even contemporary forms of powers in the universe, under the disguise and veil of culture.
History of the “Gia & Archil Kurdianis” family architectural dynasty goes back to 1898 when the Dynasty was founded by famous architect and engineer Grigol /Gigo/ Kurdiani.
He initiated and started urban planning and engineering communication systems in Tbilisi and Kutaisi.
Even today, the scope of activity of the family is wide and covers urban planning, architecture, design and engineering, interior design with all its elements, construction management, surveillance and site management.
The Bohms’ architectural legacy has been repeatedly surveyed and acknowledged. The elderly member of the family, Gottfried Bohm is 98 years old today. He is the only German architect awarded the highest architectural prize – the Pritzker prize.
Apart from the exhibition, film screenings will take place, which review the 20th century architecture of Germany and Georgia.
The Author and Curator of the Exhibition is Irina Kurtishvili. Since more than 20 years she has been living in Germany, currently in Cologne. Irina researches and curates in the areas of architecture and history with an emphasis on Georgia. She collaborates primarily with artists, architects, photographs, designers, and also with university experts and competent consultants.
Exhibition is open for public from June 28 till September 10.
