Presentation of Book: Unknown Sergo Kobuladze
February 7 is the birthday of the eminent Georgian painter, Sergo Kobuladze, well-known painting master and the author of the famous muse curtain that was restored several years ago to adorn the stage of the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theater.
Bilingual (Georgian-English), the book comprises Kobuladze’s lesser-known works, as well as his theoretical works and documents, including diary entries and the memories of his contemporaries.
The edition was put together by Giorgi Chubinashvili of the National Research Center of Georgian Art History and Monument Protection, and published with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Monument Protection and Tbilisi City Hall.
“There has not been such extensive material about Sergo Kobuladze compiled in one edition to date,” said Mikheil Giorgadze, Minister of Culture. “We, the ministry, are glad to have been given a chance to assist in the work. In Kobuladze’s private archive was found never-before-seen material. I believe that this book will raise a great interest not only among art-critics, but also in wider society.”
“I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture for their support,” Marika Didebulidze, Director of the Research Center, said. “Sergo Kobuladze was not only a painter and graphic artist but a big thinker and theoretician who created a laboratory of photo fixation that achieved unique results for the Soviet Union. This book we are presenting today is the fruit of tremendous work.”
“I was called to this work by the soul of the artist these past two years,” said Mariam Gachechiladze, the project manager, with pride. “We heard Kobuladze’s studio was being sold and the next day wrote a letter to the Ministry, who replied the same day asking us to write a project proposal. We organized a memorial office in the Academy of Fine Arts named after Sergo Kobuladze where we placed the objects from his studio. The painter left us a very well-ordered chronological archive. All nations able to boast such a great painter tend to cherish them to the highest level and we Georgians should do the same.”
Gogi Tsereteli, famous graphic artist, said: “Congratulations to all on Sergo Kobuladze’s birthday! I personally believe that he deserves a separate museum and further volumes to be written. I am grateful to the Minister. This is a book that will be useful for all generations.”
Radish Tordia, painter, concluded the book presentation with these words: “I could never have imagined the restoration of Kobuladze’s famous curtain and thank god we found a way through new technologies. Kobuladze was before now rather under-appreciated. Michelangelo once said that it is not merely enough to be an artist but one has to be a scientist at the same time. If Italians are proud of Leonardo Da Vinci, we should be proud of Sergo Kobuladze.”
Maka Lomadze