Tbilisi’s urban identity explored by German Museum of Architecture exposition

The urban transformation and resulting architectural contradictions of Georgia’s capital will be explored in an exhibition programme Hybrid Tbilisi at Frankfurt’s German Museum of Architecture (DAM) starting next week.

Within the exposition, architecture professionals will introduce Tbilisi’s search for its new identity and the varying, often contrasting, styles and influences its streets and buildings reflect.

With the curator Irina Kurtishvili and other Georgian creatives, the layers of this contradictory metropolis are illuminated in a state of transformation that oscillates both geographically and spiritually between Europe, Russia, Turkey and the Arab states”, said a preview for the display.

New construction works beside the widely recognised Soviet brutalist architecture of the Bank of Georgia building, formerly the Ministry for Highway Construction. Photo: Erik-Jan Ouwerkerk.

Through exposition design by Mario Lorenz, the event will introduce visitors to the “emerging, chaotic and fascinating city” where 20th century creations by European architects at times face neglect beside new creations designed from scratch, organisers said.

The exhibition will be augmented with a parallel programme involving a screening of films from and about Georgia, an evening of architects discussing Georgian architecture as well as a talk on new publications on the subject.

Speakers for the programme include Peter Cachola Schmal, Director of the German Architecture Museum, David Dilmaghani of Frankfurt’s Department of Culture and Science, Ana Riaboshenko, Director of the Creative Georgia organisation and curator Irina Kurtishvili.

They will speak ahead of the launch of a showcase of Georgian artists and culture in Frankfurt, within this year’s edition of the city’s prominent book fair on October 10. Georgia will be celebrated at the Frankfurt Book Fair as the official Guest of Honour.

The exposition Hybrid Tbilisi will be hosted at the German Museum of Architecture between September 29-January 13.