Exhibition Opens on 100th Anniversary of the Death of Pirosmani in the Albertina Museum in Vienna
The exhibition was opened on the 100th anniversary of the death of Niko Pirosmani in the Albertina Museum, Vienna on October 25, where the artist's 29 works are presented alongside Ilia Zdanevich's handmade 1972 book made in Paris, "Pirosmanashvili 1914" featuring Pablo Picasso's engraving, "Pirosmani Portrait".
The gala dinner was attended by 250 honorable guests including the Georgian and Austrian culture ministers, and saw the Georgian Wine and Spirits (GWS) Company’s ambassador present the line of “Tamada” (toastmaster) which was greatly appreciated by the visitors.
Pirosmani, like Georgian wine, is unique, indigenous and distinguished by specific characteristics. Correspondingly, the difference of Tamada’s wines is expressed and at the same time, their origin is emphasized.
“Attending the opening ceremony of the exhibition was quite emotional,” said GWS ambassador Kate Kenkishvili. “It's a great honor that Pirosmani's works are being exhibited in one of Europe's most prominent and significant museums. At the opening ceremony the Georgian side also presented other elements of Georgian culture: Georgian music, GWS Georgian wine... Vienna's high society, invited to Vernisage, got to discover Piromani's creations, taste Georgian wine, listen to Georgian songs and in this way, discover Georgia, a small country full of rich culture and ancient traditions. GWS is a great supporter of Georgian art and we support the Georgian National Museum- on one of our most popular wine brands “Tamada,” the etiquette displays a famous painting of Pirosmani. GWS’s motto is quality and professionalism, which is also expressed by the fact our premium line wines are presented not only on Georgian historical wine markets, but also on such prestigious ones in Europe as Austria, France, Switzerland, Germany and so on.”
The Tamada brand is a sharp expression of character that is unique and easy to remember. It’s said that if a man from Kakheti doesn’t have a vineyard, his life is boring. Pirosmani’s parents had a small vineyard and he thus developed a special attitude towards wine.
“GWS’s premium brand Tamada is closely related to art,” said Salome Dolidze, Brand Manager of Tamada. “We have been the partner of the National Museum of Georgia since 2014. We are trying to support the work and development of the museum. Our brand is a big supporter of Pirosmani's creations, clearly visible on the Tamada logo, where "Feast of 5 Princes" is depicted. We are honored that Tamada was exclusively presented at the opening of the Pirosmani Exhibition in the Alberta Museum, and we are very pleased to be appreciated at such an important cultural event.”
Tamada was created in 2001 and has since acquired many gold medals at international wine competitions. The Tamada portfolio includes seven wine types from appellation of controlled origins: Tsinandali, Mukuzani, Napareuli, Khvanchkara, Kindzmarauli, Akhalsheni, and Tvishi.
“Niko Pirosmani, this self-styled artist whose radiant and emotional works often reflect animals or scenes from the lives of old Georgia and his people, is considered to be an avant-garde artist who deserves to be discovered again. Pirosmani's concept of art is an open field where he deliberately chooses a nomadic life; wandering the city and the village, between the inns and the stables. At the same time, he is at the center of public attention with his ordered works which are not exhibited in galleries and museums, but rather inns, restaurants and pubs. Pirosmani encourages the artist as a sighted observer,” states the Albertina Museum of Vienna.
The exhibition is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the death of the artist. Within the framework of the project, the contemporary art space of the museum is also hosting modern artists Yoshi-Moto Nara and Andro Vekua. The exhibition is on until January 27, 2019.
The exhibition was organized with the collaboration of the Albertina Museum and Infinitart Foundation and the Georgian National Museum and Vincent Van Gogh's Arls Foundation.
GWS is one of the most famous and oldest wineries in Georgia, founded in Telavi in 1993 on the base of the famous winery Telavi2 created in 1976. It owns 350 hectares of vineyards, most of which are 15-25 years old: 280 are red grape varietals and 120 are white. These include 70% Georgian traditional grape varietal and 30% international. The company produces a still wine, sparkling wine and high alcoholic products that are known as Tamada, Old Tbilisi, Adamanti, Vismino and Elibo. Soon, it will present consumers wine created using biotechnology from their vineyards.
By Mariam Merabishvili