There is no shortage of museums in the Georgian capital, on the contrary, if you are in the mood for art and culture, you are spoiled for choice. Many exhibitions are worth seeing, some are exceptional, and few manage to leave a lasting impression.
Classical Art Remastered 2.0
However, the Tbilisi Digital Space undoubtedly succeeds, due to many factors. If you want to learn why you should still invest the relatively high entrance fee, you’ve come to the right place.
In good company
The Digital Museum is located in the middle of the boulevard Rustaveli Avenue, opposite the theater of the same name, flanked by large galleries and various stores. The entrance is quite inconspicuous, you can easily walk past it.
As you enter, you’ll be greeted in a friendly manner and told when the next show starts. At worst, you’ll have to wait a while until the next show, but that’s not a problem, as the surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities for a coffee or a shopping spree.
Prices vary, with tourists paying 40-45 lari, which is more than Georgians. There are also discounts for Ukrainian citizens, students and members of the military. Compared to other leisure activities, the pleasure is expensive, but worth every single tetri.
Variety through alternating program
Currently, two different exhibitions are on display. From 11.00-17.00 the projection screen is transformed into an underwater world, and from 17.00-21.00 is dedicated to six different artists with Age of Art.
The entrance fees differ a little from each other. It is also important to note that children are only allowed in Age of Arts from the age of six.
Age of Arts is dedicated to the following painters:
- Rene Magritte
- Sandro Botticelli
- Hieronymus Bosch
- Salvador Dali
- Gustav Klimt
- Frida Kahlo
The treatment of Frida Kahlo’s works ensures that it will not remain an all-male affair.
Slava Ukraini or the Courage to tell the Truth - Tbilisi Digital Space has Guts
The operator makes no secret of his political position. Already upon entering, you inevitably have to pass an oversized Ukrainian flag, which should make it clear that within this institution, as actually in all of Georgia, one shows solidarity with the recent war victims of the Russians.
Even before the screening begins, there is a prologue that refers to the Russian war of aggression and Putin’s attempt to wipe out an entire nation. This one is immensely refreshing and creative; if the Russian dictator didn’t deliberately wipe out countless lives day after day, the provocative and successful depictions would even be funny.
It may be disturbing for the visitors, especially those from the country of the occupiers, to be confronted with it within a museum, from which they expect an entertaining leisure time, and that is exactly why it is so important that a public position is taken and that there are moments between the pure enjoyment, which are able to awaken.
In the context of the exhibition you also get the chance to be informed in detail in an article about past occupations of Russia and the war crimes of this nation.
While elsewhere people discuss politics behind closed doors and are always careful not to harm themselves with their opinions, the Digital Museum manages to clearly stand up against Russia and express its opinion.
In many other countries, this important sign would be unthinkable. Immense pressure would have long since been brought to bear on those responsible to change the program or the content would simply have been banned. Georgia, however, as a fellow sufferer of Ukraine, shows its will to fight and draws attention to the injustice in this way.
It is to be hoped that of the few Russians who are persuaded to visit the museum, despite the derogatory reviews on Google, this will open the eyes of some and lift the murky veil of decades of propaganda from them.
Age of Art - from lovely to grotesque
An 850-square-foot room serves as the surface to generate a digital experience of a special kind. You can cozy up on the centrally located benches or wander around during the 50-minute screening. There’s so much to see, you won’t know where to look first. Each sequence is accompanied by a piece of music that perfectly matches the visual experience, a treat for all the senses.
The individual artists have been chosen to cover a wide spectrum and are capable of touching the visitor and arousing a wide range of emotions in him. The daring journey leads from Klimt’s lovely decadence to Frida Kahlo’s irrepressible will to live and right into the grotesque pictorial worlds of Hieronymus Bosch. The evoked moods are supported by the absolutely harmonious background music.
Experience the Timelessness
The performance manages to make the guest completely lose himself in it and forget himself and the reality around him. In the end, it feels like waking up from a dream and it lingers on for some time.
Bazaleti Lake - a cinematic masterpiece
The staging in the first part of the museum is by no means all that is offered, but merely provides the prelude to a whole series of other experiences. As soon as the room is empty again and the music fades away, you are led by an employee to the next area.
The staging in the first part of the museum is by no means all that is offered, but merely provides the prelude to a whole series of other experiences. As soon as the room is empty again and the music fades away, you are led by an employee to the next area.
The film Bazaleti Lake starts in the Georgian room. This is absolutely recommendable and tells Georgian history in short form. It is by no means a boring arrangement of historical events. Rather, director Lasha Khmaladze has created a feature film that is roughly based on Ilia Chavchavadze’s poem of the same name and gets under your skin.
People who are in Georgia for the first time are given a first insight into the context of understanding and are allowed to look deep into the Georgian soul. Some people were not aware beforehand of the challenges the country has already had to overcome.
The Mirror Room @ Tbilisi Digital Space
Afterwards, you will be escorted to a room that is full of mirrors and lights. It lends itself to taking some nice photos here, which is especially appealing to the Instagram generation.
Yes, it`s interesting for a few moments, but however it`s not the big thing you might expect.
Unlike the other parts of the exhibition, however, it lacks depth and the experience is limited to the effects. If you’ve already left the selfie age behind, you’ll be glad to move on after a few minutes.
The fluffing Russian Invasion
Finally, another section marks the end of the museum. This one is dedicated to the Russian occupation of Ukraine. The suffering of the Ukrainian population is depicted using cartoon-like sequences. At the same time, all of Russia’s attacks on other nations are summarized and presented. Compressed and unembellished, there is no more room for excuses.
Digital Space Tbilisi: One experience richer
The Tiblisi Digital Space is a place you should definitely see. It’s not just a nice pastime, it’s much more valuable and offers you a unique experience.
The museum is not content to present a cross-section of different eras and artists in a technically flawless presentation, but takes its responsibility as an educational institution seriously.
That’s why you’ll not only be entertained, but also educated.
The film Bazaleti Lake informs casually about the history of a country and the strength of a nation, which itself was repeatedly victimized by Russia and is still partially occupied by the enemy.
The collected facts on Russian invasions are also extremely instructive and should in no way be misinterpreted as agitation, but rather as a warning of Putin’s unpredictability. Unfortunately, Georgians must also fear being invaded by Russia again.
Against this background, the Georgians’ hostile attitude toward Russian citizens is not surprising. It would be desirable that many of them nevertheless find their way to the Digital Museum.
Entrance fees for Georgians / Ukrainians:
Underwater World / Age of Art
Adults: 18 GEL / 30 GEL
Students: 16 GEL / 25 GEL
Children: (3-16 years) 16 GEL / (6-16 years) 20 GEL
Children under three years free / Children under 6 years free
Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): 49 GEL / 85 GEL
Entrance fees for tourists:
Underwater World / Age of Art
Adults: 40 GEL / 45 GEL
Students: 35 GEL / 40 GEL
Children: (3-16 years) 30 GEL / (6-16 years) 35 GEL
Children under three years free / Children under 6 years free
Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children): 100 GEL / 145 GEL
Tbilisi Digital Space
16, Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi
Telephone
+99577-000-705
+99577-000-790
digitalmuseum.ge
info@digitalmuseum.ge
Facebook
Opening Times
Monday to Sunday : 11.00-21.00
