How the Style Was Introduced
The European art motifs were due to the influence of Russia making their way into the Caucasus mountains before they entered Tbilisi. The modernist designs became part of the city’s growth and blossomed over the years.
Where the Buildings Can be Found
Mtatsminda neighborhood in Tbilisi is overflowing with art nouveau and despite the facades looking beat up, it has a certain charm in the gilded ironworks and ornate details. A lot of the art nouveau buildings are also quite hidden. On 3a Ia Karagereli Street, there’s an old house that’s decorated with beautiful colorful tiles and special motifs.
Don’t Let the Crumbling Plaster Fool You
A lot of the art nouveau monuments had undergone poor renovation which might make the paint and plastering look frayed. They were also made with poor restoration materials which sometimes lessened the appeal and aesthetic of the buildings. The brickwork shows the decaying exterior but that’s not due to neglect. In fact, it is exactly the opposite of that — the government has not decided to restore these buildings since they want to preserve them. Despite its collapsing structure, the art of Tbilsi’s buildings is part and parcel of their global and cultural heritage. Some buildings are on the brink of extinction and many modernist organisations are fighting to keep them alive today.