Window Project Gallery Hosts Artist’s First Personal Show in Georgia

The show currently on display in the Window Project Gallery unites three directions of work of Georgian artist Vakhtang Kokiashvili: mythos, religion and ethnographic pop. The first presents a mirror of the unconscious, the second reveals religious themes in a form of kitsch, and ethnographic pop demonstrates how the artist delved into historical time and returned past models to the present.

The exhibition Second Order offers visitors a showcase of different stages of the artist’s development where mythological forms are transformed into effects of production and design. During the last years of his life Kokiashvili focused on the translation of religious narratives and symbols into the consumer language of the 2000s, shaping new creative spaces which can encompass a wider social range and at the same time maintain independence.

Horizontal expansion of artistic expression and cultural value is furthered in his work through the usage of many different forms of production (enamel, abstract paintings, assemblages and pop art installations). The conceptual design of the show was developed by Lado Lomitashvili, a professional architect.

Vakhtang Kokiashvili was born in Tbilisi in 1930. He’s father Ioseb was a well-known artist and caricaturist. After graduating the Tbilisi Art Academy, Kokiashvili became interested in postimpressionism and American expressionism. He started working in monumental art (stained glass window, mosaic, design, poster etc.).

The emergence of stained-glass art in Georgia is very much influenced by Kokiashvili. He is best known for creating following works: stained glass windows in the interior of the former Hotel Iveria (Tbilisi), at the lower station of the Tbilisi Funicular, at the Tbilisi International Airport, at the Institute of Physiology (Tbilisi); painting and stained glass window at the Hotel Metekhi (Tbilisi). His works have also been presented in the other Georgian cities and locations: Kutaisi, Abasha, Kvareli, Tskhinvali, Sukhumi, Adler, Pitsunda, recreational complexes of the Ritsa Lake (Abkhazia) and Nalchik (Russian Federation), numerous sites in Moscow (Russian Federation), Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

His collection of works also unites hundreds of collages, graphic works and assemblages. He died in his house–studio in Tbilisi in 2010.

The exhibition in the Window Project Gallery has been curated by Nina Akhvlediani.