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Georgia has been long known as a nation of artists and as an "artist colony" of the Russian empire, and this tradition has continued in full. Few cities have as many art galleries or as much interest in art openings, and as much public art. Indeed few countries in the world boast such a profusion of and monumental sculpture found in town squares, on bridges and on the summits of hills. Often expressing themes that are an embodiment of national archetypes, our art and artists are a true window into the Georgian soul.
A good way to sense the development of Georgia's artistic tradition is to visit some of our 12th century frescos at say Mtskheta or Betania monastery, then head to Tbilisi's Art Museum on Pushkin Street. The numerous shapes and colours of our highly varied landscape find re-expression at the hands of artists in our many modern art galleries. The Art Museum reveals the steady progression of Georgian art from the intricately carved portico stones of churches, inlayed processional crosses, exquisitely detailed cloisonne enamel pendants from the 11th century, many gold and silver icons - to the 19th and 20th century modernist paintings. In addition we have a whole room dedicated to the naive style artist Niko Pirosmani, whose child-like vignettes shed powerful light onto everyday life of the l9th and early 20th centuries.
We love clothing and fashion as much as we love art, perhaps because we are famed for our vanity and our handsome men and beautiful women. In fact, in India a beautiful girl is often referred to as a Georgian fairy (gurji pari). Georgians carefully keep track of international fashion, and the Fashion channel is more often than not played in bars instead of sports.
The Music of Georgia is as interesting as its Dance, but it is the incredible diversity of Churches, which inspire awe.
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