Art students get ambitious with wood and stone
By Anna Kamushadze
Thursday, December 27
On December 25, the Georgian Art Academy held an exhibition of wood and stone sculptures done as students’ graduation projects.
Tbilisi State Academy of Arts Rector Gia Bugadze exclaimed to the Messenger that the students had breathed souls into stone and wood.
“Today, everyone saw that the Georgian Art Academy is going forward. An explosion and advancement like this, especially in statues, we haven’t seen for a long time,” Bugadze said, delighted with the student’s handiwork.
In the last two years, interest in sculpture has grown tremendously in Georgia, he said.
The rector added that Elit Electronics was the lead sponsor for the project, buying stone for eighty students to work with.
Bugadze said the Academy’s role was to help educate art students and position them to succeed in the marketplace.
“It’s not so easy to establish yourself on the art market today. It’s of great importance that students obtain knowledge and professionalism,” he said.
Diplomatically, he declined to pick a favorite piece of the day.
“They are all perfect,” Bugadze said.
Zura Dighmelashvili was one of the most prolific young artists, with 18 of his stone and wood sculptures exhibited.
His 2-meter-tall wood sculpture of a violinist drew particular admiration.
“I will go on working in stone and wood. This is my sphere,” Dighmelashvili said, saying a personal exhibition could be in the cards.
Temur Temuridze did “Tune in Stone” for his graduation piece.
“When you look at it you get feeling that you are close to music,” the artist suggested.
There were also two brightly-painted sports cars in the Academy’s yard, designed by students.
Kezua Demuri, one of the designers, said the cars were Honda-made but customized almost entirely.
“I changed everything in this car except the roof,” he proudly said, adding that the project cost GEL 8 000.
The students clearly benefited from the rector’s advice on making a living as artists—Demuri is hoping companies will take an interest in his car designs.
Tbilisi State Academy of Arts Rector Gia Bugadze exclaimed to the Messenger that the students had breathed souls into stone and wood.
“Today, everyone saw that the Georgian Art Academy is going forward. An explosion and advancement like this, especially in statues, we haven’t seen for a long time,” Bugadze said, delighted with the student’s handiwork.
In the last two years, interest in sculpture has grown tremendously in Georgia, he said.
The rector added that Elit Electronics was the lead sponsor for the project, buying stone for eighty students to work with.
Bugadze said the Academy’s role was to help educate art students and position them to succeed in the marketplace.
“It’s not so easy to establish yourself on the art market today. It’s of great importance that students obtain knowledge and professionalism,” he said.
Diplomatically, he declined to pick a favorite piece of the day.
“They are all perfect,” Bugadze said.
Zura Dighmelashvili was one of the most prolific young artists, with 18 of his stone and wood sculptures exhibited.
His 2-meter-tall wood sculpture of a violinist drew particular admiration.
“I will go on working in stone and wood. This is my sphere,” Dighmelashvili said, saying a personal exhibition could be in the cards.
Temur Temuridze did “Tune in Stone” for his graduation piece.
“When you look at it you get feeling that you are close to music,” the artist suggested.
There were also two brightly-painted sports cars in the Academy’s yard, designed by students.
Kezua Demuri, one of the designers, said the cars were Honda-made but customized almost entirely.
“I changed everything in this car except the roof,” he proudly said, adding that the project cost GEL 8 000.
The students clearly benefited from the rector’s advice on making a living as artists—Demuri is hoping companies will take an interest in his car designs.