Book Launch at TBC Gallery: Memories of Tiflis, Edited by Nicolas V. Iljine

TBC Gallery last week organized a presentation of ‘Memories of Tiflis,’ a book edited by Nicolas V. Iljine, an Advisor to the Director of the Hermitage Museum. The event was held within the frame of TAF, the first international fair of modern art in Tbilisi, whose official supporter is TBC Status.

“There are a lot of alternative art, liberal art and young artists with the possibility to present and sell their art because of the art fair that just opened, this is of course a good sign,” Iljine noted.

The book is a collection of essays by Levan Choghoshvili, Nana Kipiani, Giorgi Gersamia, Tamaz Gersamia, Giorgi Kalandia, Aka Morchiladze, Levan Tsetskhladze and Donald Reyfield, as well as photos from various museums and collections depicting 20th century Tbilisi architecture, art, music, folk art, literature and photography.

Nicolas V. Iljine’s relationship with Tbilisi started in 1965, when a Georgian doctor visiting Germany presented him with Rustaveli’s epic poem, ‘The Knight in the Panther’s Skin.’ Later, he met the film directors Otar Ioseliani, Giorgi Danelia and Lana Ghoghoberidze, and watched several films by Sergo Parajanov. He became fascinated by Georgian culture and first visited Tbilisi in 2008 to attend his friends’ wedding.

Inspired by the history, architecture, culture and residents of Tbilisi, Iljine decided to bring together stories about the city into one collection. He visited the city several times in the last 10 years and collected old postcards for the book. In gathering historical evidence about the city, he was helped by the representatives of Georgian art and culture, Irine Popiashvili, Davit Lortkipanidze, Lika Mamatsashvili, Tamila Tsagareishvili, and Zurab and Vasil Tsereteli. The book focuses on Tbilisi of the 1870s-1920s.

Iljine has also co-authored and edited ‘Memories of Baku’ and ‘Selling Russia’s Treasures,’ and produced a 30-minute documentary about Iosif Brodsky.

He has played an important part in creating and implementing museum projects, including Guggenheim Bilboa, Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin, Guggenheim-Hermitage in Las Vegas, and the development of Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.

By Shawn Wayne