Vienna’s Ringturm venue hosting show on architecture of Georgian cities

The multi-faceted architecture of Georgia, from its Soviet-era museums to striking new constructions, is the theme of an ongoing display at Vienna’s notable Ringturm exhibition venue.

The 1955-built tower’s former cash hall, transformed into its current function of an exhibition centre in 1998, is hosting viewers for Between the Caucasus and Black Sea: Georgia.

Held within the Architecture at Ringturm series, the display expands on a 2016 show at the venue that focused on Tbilisi.

Launched on October 10, the show presents photographs and artefacts illustrating architectural elements and buildings across Georgia. Photo: Richard Tanzer.

The new exhibition incorporates examples of architecture from the town of Gori — an hour’s drive to the west of Tbilisi — as well as western locations of a regional capital of Kutaisi, the resort town of Tskaltubo and the Black Sea coastline city of Batumi.

The exhibition showcases a selection of exceptional 20th-century buildings: examples of understated, neoclassical Art Noveau [...] buildings constructed during the decades of Soviet rule [...] striking modern architecture [...] and recent projects in the up-and coming port of Batumi”, a summary from organisers said.

An exhibit from a decorative element of a Soviet-era sanatorium in Georgia. Photo: Organisers of the exhibition.

Organisers and curators looked for notable architectural styles, urban structures and buildings in their selection of locations.

With Gori, this involved its historical texture and its central avenue; Tskaltubo is known for its neoclassical buildings forming the look of the spa location in a natural setting; modern construction has transformed the face of Kutaisi over the recent decades, with similar development in Batumi.

A mockup of the building of Tbilisi’s former Ministry for Highway Construction at the Vienna exhibition. Photo: Richard Tanzer.

While these new locations are under the focus for the new show, Tbilisi is featured again with its historical thermal baths in the Old Town.

Exhibits for the show were curated by Irina Kurtishvili and Adolph Stiller. The two curators also worked on a catalogue on the subject of the exhibition, along with Fried Nielsen and Nini Palavandishvili. The exhibition is organised by the Vienna Insurance Group. 

The exhibition Between the Caucasus and Black Sea: Georgia will be open at the Ringturm centre through November 30.