MEDIATHEK

Often referred to as “a Georgian national treasure, Rezo Gabriadze’s influence on the culture has been lasting and profound. His work continues to leave an indelible impact on those who experience it. An artist first and foremost, he has gained an international reputation as screenwriter, stage director, painter, sculptor and puppeteer. Gabriadze was born in the town of Kutaisi in what was then Soviet Georgia. He grew up in a world of arts and letters. As he matured creatively, his attention was drawn to film. He went on to write over 35 screenplays, including the influential films: “Don’t Grieve, Mimino, and Kin-Dza-Dza. Frustrated with the lack of intellectual freedom in the Soviet Union, he turned to puppet theater as an overlooked way to tell his dramatic stories. In 1981 he founded the Gabriadze Theater, based in Tbilisi. His productions of “Alfred and Violetta, “The Autumn of our Springtime, Ramona and “The Battle of Stalingrad brought the theater international recognition. It has been touring the world ever since. As a painter and graphic artist, Rezo Gabriadze has contributed to over 50 books. His illustrations have accompanied the writing of Pushkin, Kharms, Bitov, as well as prestigious contemporary writers. His art works are seen in numerous museums and private collections, including; The Hermitage in St. Petersburg, The Dostoyevsky Museum in Moscow, and Lenbach House Gallery in Munich. His iconic sculptures Chizhik-Pizik, and “Major Kovelov’s Nose in St. Petersburg have become major attractions. In October 2012 Moscow’s Pushkin Fine Arts Museum presented its first major one-man show of Gabriadze’s paintings, drawings and sculpture. He counts among his many international awards “Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic. Recently Rezo Gabriadze personally supervised the renovations and architectural additions to the Gabriadze Theater in the heart of Tbilisi’s historic district. Adorned with the artist’s hand-painted tiles, the building itself has become a work of art. It features a distinctive off-kilter clock tower where, on the hour, a golden winged angel emerges to ring a bell. Rezo Gabriadze can often be found at his table, in the theater’s adjoining café, drawing new images for productions yet to come. It is from this base that he continues to lead his groundbreaking theater company as it once again prepares to tour the major cities of the world. (Quelle: http://gabriadze.com/en/rezo-gabriadze) egd