Recommendations From Tbilisi Residents
IRENE POPIASHVILI – Dean of the Visual & Design School at Tbilisi Free University Portrait Photo: Eugene Timerman
STATE SILK MUSEUM – An absolutely unique space for its aim and history. The museum is little known even to many locals. The museum was built in the XIX century as a part of the Caucasian Sericulture Station. In spite of ongoing restoration works on the fi rst floor, this is a functional museum and the only space to have opened its doors to contemporary art, launching the contemporary art intervention program in the permanent exposition.
THE YARD OF MELIK AZARIANTS HOUSE – Located in the center of Tbilisi at Rustaveli 37, it connects Rustaveli Avenue with Rose Revolution Square via an arched throughway. The house was fi nished in 1915 and it is possible to read the whole history of the XX century on its yard façade, bringing together remains of the 1915 original, 1980s restoration and the remains of the so-called “Andropov Ears” (now gone), and ‘Kamikadze outbuildings’ from the post-soviet period. You have also an opportunity to visit the Pantomime Theater in this building, the Khinkali Center with its special tempting scents, and the Popiashvili Gvaberidze Window Project.
GNM SIMON JANASHIA MUSEUM OF GEORGIA – The oriental arts hall on the third floor and Qajar portraits. This collection of portraits is the largest after Iran and dates back to the end of the XVIII and mid-XIX centuries. These works had a big influence on the Georgian portrait school and in general on Georgian painting.The Qajar portraits are visually very interesting with a number of ornamented details. The story of how they ended up in Georgia is also remarkable.
THE BANK OF GEORGIA BUILDING – This is the former building of the Transportation Ministry, designed by architect Giorgi Chakhava. The building has often appeared in foreign publications and is one of the most famous landmarks of Soviet architecture. It is famous among visitors of Georgia too, and although access is not allowed, it is still possible to get into the lobby for a sense of the incredible scale of construction.
TBILISI IS A CITY OF CONTRASTS – I recommend our guests begin by enjoying a cup of coffee in the lounge of the Rooms Hotel before they head to the former Film Studio in Dighomi district to see the studios of young artists there. You will be able to check out works by famous Georgian artists Vakho Bughadze, Karlo Kacharava, Mamuka Tsetskhladze, Tea Gvetadze, Ether Chkadua, Niko Tsetskhladze in the Rooms Hotel interior and art pieces of Dato Kukhalashvili, Archil Kordzaia, Tamo Khmiadashvili and Tako Maghlaperidze in the art studios of the Film Studio.
