Since settling into our new apartment, a couple of weeks ago, we’ve had the opportunity to visit two very worthwhile museums in Tbilisi.
On December 9th, we visited The Museum of Modern Art, which is located near the old town, in a beautiful, 3 story building, with marble floors and a glass ceiling. The museum features the works of Zurab Tsereteli, who was born on January 4, 1934, and who graduated from the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. He later relocated to Moscow and has been President and a professor, at the Russian Academy of Art, since 1997.
Though I’m not a big fan of modern art, I found Zurab’s portrait paintings, in oils, to be particularly appealing, for the way he made the limbs of his subjects disproportionate in size and their facial features exaggerated.
In the museum, I read that the large-scale sculptures that we saw were made using caulking on copper, and became the models of artists that Zurab admired, such as, Picasso and Van Gough. There was also a smaller sculpture of Charlie Chaplain on display.
My favorite works of Zurab were the bright colored paintings he did with caulking on enamel, which gave them a 3-D effect, that made them stand out from across the room.
This was such an impressive museum and I’m glad that I went in with an open mind, to see works that fascinated me, beyond my expectations!
This past Saturday, December 15th, we stopped at our favorite bakery for a pastry and coffee, then headed to
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When we reached the entrance to the museum, we paid a small fee of about $1.20 each to enter. Most of the 70 dwellings in the historical village were closed for the winter season, but we did have the opportunity to enter a few of the flat-roof stone houses, and some of the gable-roof wooden houses, from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The earlier 18th century dwellings were basic one-room homes that contained a fire pit in the middle and a large wood platform with woven rugs, that was used for a bed, for up to sixteen people. Within these earlier homes, we were also shown traditional household articles, such as a small table, tools, and pottery vessels for wine and milk.
The later dwellings from the 19th century were built in a more advanced style and consisted of three separate rooms, each containing a fireplace. One room had a table and chairs and an area for cooking, and the other two rooms were meant for sleeping, and contained wood plank beds.
Inside a wine cellar, a guide showed us tools and a trough where the grapes were stomped by foot to make the wine. We were also shown a press where grape skins were pressed to make their version of Russian vodka, called Chacha.
We had a great day at the Museum of Ethnography and as we wound our way back down the hill towards
I always enjoy these types of museums, they show so much of how people lived in the years before we became so technical. I’m glad you went to the art gallery with an open mind, as it is always so interesting to see works of art we may not normally enjoy. #mlstl
I love these museums. too, Deb. I’ve learned so much about the culture of this country through the art. Thanks for visiting, and have a great holiday!
I’m not a huge fan of modern art – and I can’t say that those paintings overly appealed to me, still it’s always interesting to get out and about and to expose ourselves to new experiences – your visits looked like they would have been really interesting and given you some interesting topics of conversation afterwards.
Thanks so much for being a part of MLSTL this year – I’ve shared your post on my SM – Happy Christmas! 🙂
Thanks for sharing my post, Leanne! This is a great community and I’m proud to be a part of it! A very Happy Christmas, to you and yours!
Hi Christina, I’m more of a traditionalist but I do like to learn about modern art and what the artist was trying to convey. You are certainly enjoying your new home and getting out and about. The bakery is full of delicious things but I think I would have to add an extra run in to work off the calories. Have a beautiful Christmas and a wonderful New Year and thank you for being such a great supporter and contributor of #MLSTL. See you on January 9th for our first link up of 2019. x
Thanks for visiting Sue. Yes, the food is delicious here, and if I didn’t hit the gym, I’d turn into a dumpling! Happy Holidays! Can’t wait until the next phase of # MLSTL!
It sounds like you are finding some really interesting places. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for visiting Dana. I’m enjoying your blog as well. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I had to look up Tbilisi since I don’t really know anything about this region of the world! Your art museum adventure sounds fun. I am not a huge modern art fan, but I do like to look at it and learn more about it. There is usually more to it than meets the eye! Enjoy your adventures.
Thank you so much for visiting Michele. I’ve been enjoying your blog as well.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Christina. I enjoyed the photos. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Thank you so much for visiting Christie. I’ve also been enjoying your blog. Happy New Year!
I think expanding our minds to appreciate new forms of art, literature is important especially as we get older. It’s far to easy to get stuck in the mud, and in a comfort zone of appreciation. I wouldn’t say I’m a fan of modern art, but I do enjoy trying to unravel what the artist is trying to say. However, I really like abstract art. Time discovering the culture of Tbilisi would be really enjoyable and mind expanding I’m sure.
Hi Johanna, I really love art, especially Impressionism. I can’t always find a museum that has the type of art that I enjoy, but I agree with you when you say that we need to expand our minds and learn to appreciate something that is outside of our comfort zone. It’s something that I really need to work on since I’m a stickler for routine. Thanks for visiting.