Initiated by the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre, a three-day series of commemorative events marking the 85th anniversary of the birth of Mary Karbelashvili (1927–2006), one of the most prominent researchers in Georgian art history, will be held from November 28 to 30 of this year. For decades, Ms. Karbelashvili was a distinguished scholar at the Institute of Georgian Art History (currently the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation). Organized under the overarching theme Heritage and Modernity, the commemorative events comprise the following program:
A commemorative session held at the Elene Akhvlediani House-Museum (November 28, 2:00 PM; 12 Kiacheli St.). II. An exhibition opening at the Shalva Amiranashvili Museum of Fine Arts (November 28, 5:00 PM; 1 L. Gudiashvili St.). III. Academic sessions hosted in the conference hall of the National Parliamentary Library of Georgia (November 29–30, 10:30 AM – 3:00 PM; 7 L. Gudiashvili St.).
As an art historian, Mary Karbelashvili investigated the developmental processes of modern and contemporary Georgian art. Her scholarly legacy includes broad surveys, monographic studies, albums, and individual articles dedicated to the oeuvre of leading Georgian artists.
The commemorative session at the Elene Akhvlediani House-Museum will feature a short-format documentary film about Ms. Karbelashvili’s ancestors, the canonized Karbelashvili brothers. Scholarly presentations on M. Karbelashvili’s academic and pedagogical contributions will be delivered by D. Tumanishvili and S. Lezhava. The program will also feature musical compositions performed by young musicians and readings of newly translated Shakespearean sonnets by N. Ramishvili.
The Exhibition: “Heritage and Modernity”
The exhibition curates works by artists whose creative output constitutes the core focus of Mary Karbelashvili’s scholarly legacy. This marks a pioneering endeavor, as the exhibition directly traces the trajectory of the scholar’s research. This specific curatorial approach highlights the scholar’s distinct sphere of interest and research direction. In several instances, Mary Karbelashvili was the first to clearly articulate the significance of these artists’ work, thereby laying the groundwork for a more profound and comprehensive examination of their legacy in the future.
Exploring the exposition allows visitors to observe the evolving processes within twentieth-century fine arts, a perspective made possible by the display of exceptional works by Georgian masters across various generations. The exposition comprises paintings, graphic works, and sculptures – some of which are being exhibited for the first time, further elevating the significance of this event.
Through the displayed works, both the general public and specialists are offered a unique opportunity to observe and evaluate the evolution of Georgian art through the precise lens conceptualized by the researcher, while simultaneously tracing the long-term development of the artists’ oeuvres (the exhibition will run until December 12).
Within the framework of the two-day conference (November 29-30), twenty-two Georgian art historians will present papers addressing issues in ancient, modern, and contemporary Georgian art. The visual material presented at the exhibition and the thematic scope of the conference papers extend significantly beyond the chronological boundaries of Mary Karbelashvili’s own research, introducing a wealth of new material extending almost to the present day. It is precisely this continuity that inspired the unifying title of the commemorative events: Heritage and Modernity.
The 85th Anniversary of Mary Karbelashvili
Initiated by the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre, a three-day series of commemorative events marking the 85th anniversary of the birth of Mary Karbelashvili (1927–2006), one of the most prominent researchers in Georgian art history, will be held from November 28 to 30 of this year. For decades, Ms. Karbelashvili was a distinguished scholar at the Institute of Georgian Art History (currently the George Chubinashvili National Research Centre for Georgian Art History and Heritage Preservation). Organized under the overarching theme Heritage and Modernity, the commemorative events comprise the following program:
As an art historian, Mary Karbelashvili investigated the developmental processes of modern and contemporary Georgian art. Her scholarly legacy includes broad surveys, monographic studies, albums, and individual articles dedicated to the oeuvre of leading Georgian artists.
The commemorative session at the Elene Akhvlediani House-Museum will feature a short-format documentary film about Ms. Karbelashvili’s ancestors, the canonized Karbelashvili brothers. Scholarly presentations on M. Karbelashvili’s academic and pedagogical contributions will be delivered by D. Tumanishvili and S. Lezhava. The program will also feature musical compositions performed by young musicians and readings of newly translated Shakespearean sonnets by N. Ramishvili.
The Exhibition: “Heritage and Modernity”
The exhibition curates works by artists whose creative output constitutes the core focus of Mary Karbelashvili’s scholarly legacy. This marks a pioneering endeavor, as the exhibition directly traces the trajectory of the scholar’s research. This specific curatorial approach highlights the scholar’s distinct sphere of interest and research direction. In several instances, Mary Karbelashvili was the first to clearly articulate the significance of these artists’ work, thereby laying the groundwork for a more profound and comprehensive examination of their legacy in the future.
Exploring the exposition allows visitors to observe the evolving processes within twentieth-century fine arts, a perspective made possible by the display of exceptional works by Georgian masters across various generations. The exposition comprises paintings, graphic works, and sculptures – some of which are being exhibited for the first time, further elevating the significance of this event.
Through the displayed works, both the general public and specialists are offered a unique opportunity to observe and evaluate the evolution of Georgian art through the precise lens conceptualized by the researcher, while simultaneously tracing the long-term development of the artists’ oeuvres (the exhibition will run until December 12).
Within the framework of the two-day conference (November 29-30), twenty-two Georgian art historians will present papers addressing issues in ancient, modern, and contemporary Georgian art. The visual material presented at the exhibition and the thematic scope of the conference papers extend significantly beyond the chronological boundaries of Mary Karbelashvili’s own research, introducing a wealth of new material extending almost to the present day. It is precisely this continuity that inspired the unifying title of the commemorative events: Heritage and Modernity.