Georgian Cinema Architecture in The Era of Soviet Modernism (Modernity and Soviet Architectural Legacy)

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Nato Gengiuri

Abstract

The topic of Soviet-era Georgian arts, notably architecture, remains quite controversial in Georgia, though the West, unlike post-Soviet countries, has long taken an interest in this era. Here in Georgia we are still strongly infl uenced by the idea that something is unacceptable simply because it was created under Soviet censorship, that cherishing Soviet-era architecture and artworks equals the idolization of that period; and, consequently,
Soviet legacy can be left neglected. Many interesting pieces have perished because of this attitude, a process that, sadly, continues to this day.


And here, too, there is a diff erence of opinion: Stalin-era architecture evokes greater “respect” _ the use of precious materials and grandeur seem to make it easier to validate its worth. Examples of Soviet Modernism have been dealt the heaviest blow, and yet it was in Soviet Georgia that numerous architecturally exceptional examples were created in the form of buildings serving a variety of functions: concert halls, cinemas, offi ces, resort architecture, restaurants, subway and cableway stations, and others.


Our presentation is dedicated to the architecture of movie theaters from the era of Soviet Modernism and their current state of aff airs. We will describe the approaches utilized at that time, and discuss their features and fate in the post-Soviet era.

Keywords:
Post-Soviet Period, Soviet Modernism, Georgian Architecture, Cinemas/Movie Theaters in Tbilisi, , Sergo Demchineli, Grigol Jabua, Constantine Memanishvili, Romualdo Tsukhishvili
Published: Dec 20, 2021

Article Details

Section
Art Studies