The Apollon Kutateladze Tbilisi State Academy of Arts
The Apollon Kutateladze Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, since its foundation, is located in one of the most significant historical buildings, on Al. Griboyedovi street (initially called the Commandant street).
It’s the place, where originally, in the middle of the XIX century, there was built a palace with a church by an architect Grigol Ivanov. At the very beginning of the XX century, at an order of Nino Qobulashvili, owning one part of this building, its reconstruction was carried out in accordance with an architectural project by Simon Kldiashvili.
Later on, in the beginning of 1970s, the building was restored by involving the academy teachers and students, and conducted by George Khalatov.
Within its subsistence, the building has passed through considerable alterations, in consequence of which, its artistic appearance has acquired an eclectic character. The Barrocco style together with late Classicist and late Iranian styles elements are co-existing here.
The building layout has a shape of the Greek capital letter- П. Their outline is modified from all along the different floors. As a building material there was applied an old brick. The facades are plastered. The building prolate facade, that emphasizes the typical European character and extends along the Griboyedovi street in a frontal way, is dated to the reconstruction period, being realized in accordance with the Simon Kldiashvili project. It’s adorned with the sculptured garlands, shells, masks, human head sculptural images, lofty brackets. The profiles and sculptural decoration is shaped by modeling.
The immensely interesting and valuable piece is the building interior, that comprises the complete artistic repertoire of the late Iranian architectural style. The chambers interiors are abundantly adorned with medallions, having Persian writings, Stucco ornaments on a glassy surface, the stalactite type friezes, here you can see the musharabieh openings, the fireplace outlines, mural paintings, introducing the Eastern miniatures ornamental motives, etc. According to the Academician Vakhtang Beridze, the whole of it is created by Iranian masters, acting in Tbilisi.
The facade of the building courtyard has been repaired in various periods. Here you still can see the wall arches with domes type endings, which are built with brick. On the courtyard facade (on an flank of the left side), there’s dominating the arrow-shaped portal, that’s disclosed by wooden balconies. It’s the side for connection of the old building with a new block.
In 1966, a new 10 –floor block was projected and built by Archil Kurdiani, Mikheil Chkhikvadze and constructor David Kadjaia. It was completely restored in 2005-2006 with support of the bank “Cartu”.
In 1869-1886, in accordance with the statement by the Vicegerent, the club, so named ”Тифлииский кружок” (“Tbilisi coterie”), was operating in the palace. There were the hotel, library, billiard hall and chambers for dance and stage performances.
In the beginning of the XX century, an art school was opened in the palace, on a base of which, lately, there was founded the only art academy in Caucasia.
Up to 1937, the art studio of the art academy professor Henry Hrinevski, the ballet studio of his spouse-Maria Perin were located in the same building , as well as, the studio of the art academy professor Gigo Gabashvili, the living flats of Qobulashvili family and others. Later, the entire building was transferred to the ownership of the art academy.
Foundation of the Tbilisi academy of arts was sequent to an aforetime active artistic life. In 1874, the “Artistic Society” established the primary art school in Tbilisi, that was the first school of this type in Georgia. In 1901, in Tbilisi, the secondary art institution-school of painting and sculpture, that was under patronage of the Petersburg Imperator Art Institution, was opened. Up to 1921, the private art schools were also acting in Tbilisi and various Georgian cities. In the end of 1921, the so named Higher Art Studios were established. Herewith, in the beginning of 1922, Mose Toidze founded the Public Studio.
The Georgian public figures were well concerned that all, done previously, wasn’t sufficient for improvement of art education in Georgia and founding the higher art educational institution had to be essential for the talented youth to go forward with studies. The Georgian Artists Association, founded by Dimitri Shevardnadze in 1916, exerted great efforts in this direction. The commitments have finally achieved the fruition in 1922.
On March 8, 1922, in accordance with the Resolution of the Educational Public Commissariat, the Georgian Academy of Arts (it was the initial name of the academy) was founded. It was the first higher art institution in Georgia and across Caucasia, and one of the three ones (among those in Leningrad, Riga and Tbilisi academies, operating in the Soviet Union). Here’s the quotation piece from the Resolution text: “The academy, built according to the principles of learning the live nature, has to be founded with the aim to foster studies in plastic arts fields in Georgia”. The renowned artists of that times were invited to teach at the academy.
Initially 4 faculties were established, those of painting, sculpture, graphic arts, architecture. In 1925, on the basis of ceramic school, there was opened Ceramic Studio. In autumn, 1927, the Ceramic Department was established at the Faculty of Sculpture.
Since April 22, 1922, the academy was governed by the Professors Council, including: Gigo Gabashvili, Jacob Nikoladze, Eugene Lansere, Mose Toidze, Joseph Sharlemagne, Eghishe Tatevosian, Henry Hrinevski, Anatoli Kalgin, Nikoloz Severov.
On May 14, 1922, the academy Professors Council elected the first Rector - George Chubinashvili, founder of the Georgian art historian school. From the moment of founding, the re-known artists, sculptors and architects, creating in Georgia in those times, were invited to teach at the academy.
Soon the teachers stuff was joined by the artists, who gained education in various countries: Nikoloz Kandelaki, who studied in Leningrad; Lado Gudiashvili (1926) and David Kakabadze (1928), who returned from France, etc. The theoretical disciplines were taught by re-known academics, such as: Dimitri Uznadze, Shalva Amiranashvili, Vakhtang Kotetishvili (1928), Shalva Nutsubidze, etc.
In 1922-1923, 156 students were studying at the academy, in 1946-1947 – their number increased to 270 students. In 1973, the four faculties enrolled 848 students, and 204 professors-teachers. At present, the academy has been increased to 1380 students and 327 teachers.
Since 1930, the academy has passed through reformation: in 1929/1930 it was transformed to the higher art technical institute with industrial orientation - the faculties of architecture, painting-sculpture, ceramic and lithography (polygraphy) were established there. In 1931 the institute was closed. In summer of the same year it was closed up. Instead, at the Tbilisi Pedagogical Institute, there was established the Faculty of Fine Arts, having scarcity of the respective base and skillful stuff. The Faculty of Architecture was joined to the Institute of construction.
On February 1, 1933, the academy of arts has revived; since then, it is named- Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. The faculties of painting, sculpture, graphic arts and ceramic were revived, too. The Faculty of Architecture was re-established in 1937. (After revival, the Head of the Chair of Painting was David Kakabadze; Chair of Sculpture - Jacob Nikoladze, Chair of Drawing -Mose Toidze, Chair of Ceramics - Alexander Pitskhelauri, Chair of Art History - Shalva Amiranashvili).
The academy graduates proved to be among the academy teachers: George Sesiashvili, Apolon Kutateladze, Lado Grigolia, Simon Nadareishvili, Korneli Sanadze, Silovan Kakabadze, Konstantin Merabishvili, etc. Since 1933, the annual exhibitions of the students artworks had been arranged.
The repressions, resorted in the USSR, had imprinted its mark on the academy of arts, too. In the 1930s of the XX century, the academy has passed through the wave of repressions. V. Kotetishvili, A. Duduchava, the student-sculptor O. Kremer, the first graduate lady from the Faculty of Architecture R. Vashakidze, were executed. The first graduates from the Faculty of Sculpture- R. Abramia-Mikadze, I. Pataridze and others were forced to move out of the country. Here’s one of the Orders of those days, characterizing the atmosphere of that times: “Send down the assistant Ioseb Gabashvili (famous illustrator in future) for establishing relations with Trotsky-X”. The young teacher Valentin Sherpilov was dismissed from the academy for propaganda of the wrong ideas (Impressionism) among students.
The Second World War had left the hard trace on the academy, too. Over 80 artists participated in the war. Most of them had been executed. Besides times being so severe, the academy was proceeding with acting and developing.
In 1943, there was established the Chair of Drawing, headed by Sergo Kobuladze. In 1947, opening of the Theatre Studio was initiated and headed by David Kakabadze (later on, the direction was leaded by famous Georgian theatre artist Parnaoz Lapiashvili).
In the end of 1940s and beginning of 1950s, during the period of Mamia Duduchava being the Rector, the students and teachers creative freedom was strongly stressed. The re-known artist David Kakabadze was dismissed from the academy.
In the end of 1950s and in the beginning of 1960s of the XXth century, the new generation of teachers - artists joined the academy stuff. Collaboration with experienced masters made the level of the school high and authoritative, that, together with the pivotal transformation, going on in Georgian arts of that period, had been creating interesting perspectives.
Once, with the goal of modernizing the educational field in the USSR, the academy of arts was exposed to the danger of closing. The academy Rector of that time- Apollon Kutateladze (1959-1972), had made bootless efforts for the academy survival. He visited Moscow several times with the goal of gaining support among the highest governmental officials, as a result of which the Tbilisi State Academy of arts had escaped its closing.
The great attention was drawn to development of the applied arts fields. In 1959, there was established the Faculty of Decorative-applied Arts. In 1967, with efforts, exerted by Levan Rcheulishvili, and supported by Vakhtang Beridze and others, there was established the Faculty of Art History and Theory, the first graduation of which took place in 1972. In 2005, the faculties of restoration and art history and theory were united in one faculty.
In 2005, the Faculty of Media Arts was established, it was joined by the Institute of photography.
The Rectors of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts were: Giorgi Chubinashvili, 1922-1926; Valerian Kotetishvili, 1930-1932; Grigol Bukhnikashvili, 1933-1936;Sergo Kakabadze, 1936-1942; Ucha Japaridze, 1942-1948; Mamia Duduchava, 1948-1952;Sergo Kobuladze, 1952-1959; Apolon Kutateladze, 1959-1972; Giorgi Totibadze, 1972-1982; Zurab Nidjaradze, 1982-1987; Tengiz Peradze, 1987-1992; Soso Koyava, 1992-2003; Giorgi Bughadze, since 2003- to present.
At present , the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts embodies 5 faculties:
1. Visual arts,
2. Architecture,
3. Restoration and Art history and theory,
4. Design,
5. Media Arts
Institutions-facilities under subordination of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts
Apart from the academy major building, the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts includes several buildings-facilities, where the part of the academy study programs are being conducted.
Among them, there’s the building of the Monuments Protection Center on Tabukashvili
street N 5, the part of which has been transferred to the ownership of the Faculty of Restoration, Tbilisi State Academy of Arts (the building has gained the Status of the
Immovable Monument of Cultural Heritage). The studios of architecture; easel graphics;
stone, ceramic and metal restoration; as well as , the diagnostic research laboratory
(chemical and biological ones) are located in the noted building. Here’s the small
library, conference hall and one lecture hall.
In 2007, the I. Nikoladze Art Institute was closed up and joined the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. At present, it has been transformed into the academy II block building. Here, the direction of jewelry and metal products of the Faculty of Design; directions of sculpture, theatre and Cinema-TV arts, and also, the center for professional studies of the Faculty of Design, are operating.
In 2010, “MACBETH” - the Puppet Theatre has been established in the noted building of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts. It is conducted by the theatre art studio students of the Faculty of Fine Arts.
In 2007, the Mose Toidze Art Lyceum has been transformed into the professional study center. The study facilities include the laboratories, studios and lecture rooms. Here, the artistic processing of wood; modeling-sewing; production of thick felt; carpet and tapestry knitting art; artistic processing of metal; modeling of architectural items; ceramics; enamel, are taught.
Museum at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts
In 1928, Aleksandre Duduchava, professor, Rector of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, well-known critic and art historian, initiated establishment of a Fund of the students, graduates and probationers best artworks. The fund collections were enriched with paintings by the Georgian Art Academy professors of that time (initially, it was a name of the academy), as well as, with the renowned masters art pieces, being in possession of the professors. Time by time, the collection was appended with the artworks in various applied arts fields (pottery, thick felt-teqa, metal minting, cloisonné enamel, etc.), decorative art pieces.
In 1990s, on a base of the fund, there was founded the museum, that’s located on a second floor of the art academy Head office building, in those halls of the late Iranian art style decorating (the publicly well known “Mirror Halls”).
In the museum fund, there are kept more then 100 artworks by distinguished artists, being creating in various art fields, as follows: those of the most the significant works by Gigo Gabashvili – “Khevsurs carouse”, “Khevsurs on watch”, “Gouts on a pasture”, “Self portrait”, “Three generals”, “Samarkand market” (the art pieces are temporarily kept in the TBC Bank Head Office building); “Telavi area” by Elene akhvlediani; “Botanic garden” by Aleksandre Tsimakuridze; “Queen Mariam”, “Old lady”, “In the artist’s studio” by Mose Toidze; “Still-life” by Kirill Zdanevich, “A man with a white headdress” by Tamar Balanchivadze, etc.
The fund depots essential collection includes the course and diploma works of those students of the 1920-1950s, XX century, who later on, became the well-known artists: Boris Tiritsov, Lev Boiakhchev, Levan Tsutskiridze, Reno Turqia, Oleg Mishin, etc.
Since foundation of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts, one of the most important directions eventuated to be the various fields of pottery. Respectively, time by time, the museum funds were enriched with the amazing works, done of china and clay (authors: Zurab Maisuradze, Aleksandre Pitskhelauri, Revaz Yashvili, Alde Kakabadze, Nana Botkoveli, Otar Mukhiguli, etc.)
In the frames of the restoration project of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts historical building, the rehabilitation program of the fund collections has started operating; the exposition hall has been renovated and equipped, the retrospective exhibitions in the TBC Bank Head office building Hall (“Old times masters”, 2009), as well as, in the academy renovated hall (“Echo from an archive”, 2010) were arranged.
The major direction of the program is passportization of the museum collections and creation of the electronic and printed versions of the completely illustrated catalog.
Library of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts
The library of the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts was established in 1924, 2 years after foundation of the Georgian (at present –Tbilisi State) Academy of Arts. The initiator was Giorgi Chubinashvili - the distinguished art historian and the art academy first Rector.
The library of the Caucasian Fine Art Society, being keeping the remarkable ouvrages and folios and acting in those times of the former Arshakuni Palace had been located in the academy building, became the basis for the academy library books holding. Later on, the library holding has been increased with publications authored by academy professors-Gigo Gabashvili, as well as, the private library of Henry Hrinevski, being repressed in 1937. Some of the books are adorned with signatures and book-labels by Henry Hrinevski, Elene Akhvlediani and other artists.
Among those of the first library Heads was Tatiana Kakabadze , sister-in-law of the reknown Georgian artist Elene Akhvlediani (spouse of her ex-husband’s brother), who, earlier on, had spent several years in Paris, together with Elene Akhvlediani, David Kakabadze, Lado Gudiashvili.
Later on, the library was headed by other honorable personalities. Each of them have contributed in establishing the face of the library, in enrichment of its holdings.
In 1930s, the librarians hadn’t been scared by the commission, concluding to liquidate the “improper” literature, and arrange the academy specially created books holdings in a right ideological order. They have survived H. Hrinevski’s books, as well as, of other “unneeded” owners and authors.
Many famous artists remember Ana Kiladze with her distinguished features of attentiveness and professionalism. Later, in 1970-80s, the library was headed by Lia Bartaia, who, besides acting in conditions of the slightly softened, though still operating Communist regime, and a overcoming the great obstacles, had being exerting great efforts for the students to become aware of the mostly significant, various Modernism directions of the XXth century, and also, to be provided with the literature, representing the great foreign contemporary artists creative works.
Later on, in 1970-80s, the library was headed by Ketevan Nareklishvili. The library has changed its place many times, being located in the Conference Hall, as well as, the Mirror Halls, in the present Rector’s cabinet. Today, it’s located on the I floor of the new block building.
At present, in the academy library, there are kept more than 35 000 books - unique albums on arts of various countries and epochs, diverse art directions, fine arts and applied arts fields, architecture, and also, the art and special guiding literature in foreign languages (Georgian, English, French, German, Russian, China, Persian, etc.). Besides the books, the art pieces, photos, various documents are kept here.Today, the library stuff is working on increasing the books holdings. Within the last years, the library was significantly increased with the foreign literature in architecture, fine arts and applied arts fields.
Besides the above noted, the interesting educational projects, exhibitions-contests, lectures together with various foreign and local organizations, as well as, meetings with authors, artists, take place at the library. The library assists various organizations, private persons, artists, Georgian and foreign researchers in providing with the electronic and printed media, information and visual material searching, consulting.
Establishment of the web catalog and web library has been started at the academy library.
