May 23, 2008
Ana Tsimintia, Georgia Today

The Karvasla Gallery opened a new exhibition on May 16 which will last till June 30. The project, entitled “A History of Georgian Animation”, is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Georgian cinematography.

The exhibition presented by the Georgian National Museum and the Tbilisi Historical Museum combines a wide and diverse program focused on different age groups and interests. As long as the exposition shows an almost complete collection demonstrating Georgia’s animation history it can initiate interest between experts, historians and common citizens – and the children for whom the images displayed in the gallery hall can simply be funny and attractive.

Besides the opportunity to observe the rarely exhibited collection, the program involves children in the practical activity of learning how animation works and learn the basics of painted film history. For this purpose the program is focused on the introduction of particularities of animated art in general and emphasizes specific elements of Georgian animation through analyzing methodology and the historical development of the animation process in Georgia. In parallel with theoretical and practical work children have a wonderful chance to see professional examples starting from early drawings by Lado Gudiashvili and Lado Mujiri, ending up with fresher works.

While children are busy getting acquainted with animation history and principles, I went to see the exhibition part itself. For me it was a step back towards childhood and the process of reviving emotions about the heroes or situations which used to be moving on the screen throughout childhood, but not only this pleasant association makes the current exposition interesting. It includes several works by renowned painters and animators, including drawings by: Lado Gudiashvili, Lado Mujiri, Karlo Sulakauri, Zurab Nijaradze, Dato Sikharulidze, Alexander Gamkrelidze and many others. Paintings, graphics, posters and toys bring the whole animation heritage alive in the gallery hall. Famous and dear animations include: “Tsuna da Tsrutsuna” (“Tsuna and Tsrutsuna”) – a cute story describing the appealing tale of mouse love; “Adventure of the Duck Tasiko” – with it’s amazing hero Tasiko which remained in everyday language as a very expressive adverb pointing out the personal characteristics which can be articulated only with the word “Tasiko” as it is a very sharp image never forgotten by Georgians or “ The King and a Bird” being a musical style animation about the relationship of these two contrasting heroes. Consequently these three and many other cartoons presented on the exhibition in drawings create an important segment of Georgian animation and film arts and this small exhibition says a lot about Georgian culture and arts.

The exhibition is on display till June 30 in Gallery Karvasla, 8 Sioni Street, Tbilisi, Georgia