The Colors of Tbilisi on view from November 25, 2024 until June 17, 2025
Location: Knafel Building, Fischer Commons Gallery, 1737 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA
Embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of Tbilisi's history with "The Colors of Tbilisi," an exhibition featuring photography from Old Tbilisi as early as 1862 that was colorized using the new AI technology.
As the capital of Georgia and the cultural heart of the Caucasus, Tbilisi is a testament to over 1,550 years of history. Sitting at the crossroads of East and West, it has served as a focal point for cultural exchange, trade, and diplomacy across the centuries. Tbilisi captivates with its unique blend of cultures, landscapes, and diverse architectural styles and traditions. The exhibition, "The Colors of Tbilisi," invites visitors to explore the city's rich narrative, reflecting its spirit, character, and charm; it is a manifesto for the city, providing a glimpse into neighborhoods, historical events, and influential figures.
The old photographs were assembled from the archives in Tbilisi, Paris, Washington, New York, and London. Once confined to the size of 2x2.5", now they adorn up to 100" images with stunning clarity and vivid colors that were achieved by using the AI pipeline built by Nicoloz Tbileli, a designer and founder of the project "Machine Learning for Culture." Mika Tbileli, the chief editor and architectural expert, ensured the architectural authenticity and historical integrity of the photographs. This project has been shown at the Art Gallery Line and Wine Museum in Tbilisi, the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., and the Paris International Book Festival. It was also encapsulated in the book "Colors of Tbilisi," published in 2022. As a project founder, Tbileli noted, "This project is a profound responsibility and privilege, aiming to preserve the authenticity and allure of Tbilisi through machine learning for culture."
Exhibition sponsorship:
The exhibition is co-sponsored by:
Georgia Nation Harmony Foundation, Art Line Gallery, Art Cross Foundation, Shumi Winery, Chateau Mere, Wines of Georgia, Borjomi, and Four'O'Four. “Colors of Tbilisi” is presented as part of the Georgia Nation Harmony Initiative, under the framework of the project “Rooted in Culture,” curated by Ketevan Paitchadze.
The Program on Georgian Studies is an activity of the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University and is made possible by a sponsored research award from the Ministry of Education and Science of Georgia.