Presentation of a graphic novel by Davit Machavariani
By Mariam Chanishvili
Friday, July 12
Presentation of the Knight in the Panther’s Skin, a joint project by Davit Machavariani and Sulakauri Publishing, took place on July 10 at the Georgian Museum of Fine Arts.
The event took place at the museum’s temporary exhibition. The visitors had a chance to buy a copy of the limited inaugural edition.
David Machavariani created the graphic novel in three years. The author noted that 10 years ago when the idea of creation of a classical version of the Knight in the Panther’s Skin was born, he had a chance to work and be part of it. Including all the intents, discussions, start-ups, it took ten years of him working with Shota Rustaveli’s poem. He noted that even some thematic jewelry was created, such as Nestan’s Tears.
Besides the graphic novel’s 222-page sketches, the exposition displayed all of David Machavariani’s works created in the past ten years on the same theme.
“The Knight in the Panther’s Skin is a symbol of Georgia’s unity for me. This is one of the things that every one of us knows, so this unites us,” Machavariani said.
The idea of the exhibition creation belongs to Ninia Akhvlediani, who noted that reviving the poem by Rustaveli in the contemporary world is very important because the Knight in the Panther’s Skin is only connected to high school classes and memorizing verses for some.
The Knight in the Panther’s Skin is a Georgian medieval epic poem, consisting of over 1600 Shairi quatrains, written in the 12th century by the Georgian Shota Rustaveli.
Georgian Museum of Fine Arts displays the private family collection of its founders Gia Jokhtaberidze and Manana Shevardnadze, which includes 3,500 artworks by almost 80 artists. It aspires to introduce the whole world to the Georgian contemporary art and lifestyle.
Davit Machavariani was born on December 21, 1976, in Tbilisi. Having attended various art studios since childhood, he enrolled in a course on ceramics at the Tbilisi State Academy of Fine Arts. Later, he transferred to the animation course. After graduation, he traveled to the US where, besides collaborating with Synetic Theater, made the acquaintance of DC Comics Editor Dan Raspler.
Sulakauri Publishing was established in 1999, and today; it publishes up to 200 books a year. It celebrates the 20th anniversary this year.
The exhibition closes on July 17.
