Alexandre Kazbegi: voice of the mountains and symbol of Georgian spirit

photo rights reserved by Ben

The stone sculptures in Sno, a small village in the Kazbegi region of Georgia, are part of a remarkable art project in the Caucasus. These sculptures consist of impressive stone artworks depicting giant faces, often with a melancholic or mysterious expression. They were created by local artist Merab Piranishvili, who is renowned for his unique ability to bring faces and emotions to life in natural stone. Working primarily with local stones, he carves expressive facial features that tell stories about life, the soul, and the deep connection with nature. The sculptures symbolize the ancient wisdom of the mountain dwellers and the spirit of the past. The faces sometimes appear sad or contemplative, reflecting both the challenges and the beauty of life in the Caucasus. Fully integrated into the surrounding landscape, the sculptures stand among the mountains, hills, and rugged grasslands, blending seamlessly with their natural environment. This is what makes Piranishvili’s work so unique: he respects the natural shapes of the stones and subtly adds human characteristics without compromising their raw, natural beauty. Piranishvili often works directly in the field, selecting local stones and carving them with a hammer and chisel. He carefully considers the natural form of each stone, adapting his designs to create a result that looks organic and harmonizes with the surrounding environment.

Alexandre Kazbegi (1848–1893) was a famous Georgian writer and one of the most important literary figures of the 19th century. He was born in Stepantsminda (now known as Kazbegi), a picturesque village in the Caucasus Mountains. His work often reflected the life, culture, and struggles of the people of this mountainous region. Kazbegi came from a noble family, but felt a strong connection with the common people of the mountains, such as shepherds and peasants. He studied in Tbilisi and later in Moscow, where he immersed himself in literature and philosophy. Eventually, he returned to his native region. In order to understand the simple life of the mountain people, he chose to work as a shepherd for a while. This experience formed the basis for his literary works. Kazbegi's stories often revolved around justice, struggle against oppression, and the freedom of the mountains. He portrayed the rugged, free spirit of the people of the Caucasus and their strong connection with nature. His works are imbued with heroic figures and tragic conflicts, which made them beloved by readers in Georgia. Alexandre Kazbegi is considered a cultural icon in Georgia. His works helped to strengthen Georgian national identity. In short, Alexandre Kazbegi was not only a writer, but also a voice of the mountains and a symbol of Georgian spirit and fighting spirit.

De stenen sculpturen in Sno, een klein dorpje in de Kazbegi-regio van Georgië, maken deel uit van een bijzonder kunstproject in de Kaukasus. Deze sculpturen bestaan uit indrukwekkende kunstwerken van gigantische gezichten, die vaak een melancholische of mysterieuze uitstraling hebben. Ze zijn gecreëerd door de lokale kunstenaar Merab Piranishvili, die bekendstaat om zijn unieke vaardigheid om gezichten en emoties tot leven te brengen in natuursteen. Hij werkt voornamelijk met lokale stenen en geeft ze expressieve gezichtsuitdrukkingen die verhalen vertellen over het leven in de bergen en de rijke Georgische cultuur. Een van de prominente figuren die in Sno wordt geëerd, is Alexandre Kazbegi 1848–1893, een beroemde Georgische schrijver en een belangrijke literaire figuur van de 19e eeuw. Geboren in Stepantsminda (nu Kazbegi), een dorp in de bergen van de Kaukasus, weerspiegelde zijn werk het leven, de cultuur en de strijd van de bergbewoners. Hoewel hij uit een adellijke familie kwam, voelde hij zich sterk verbonden met gewone mensen zoals herders en boeren. Kazbegi studeerde in Tbilisi en Moskou, maar keerde uiteindelijk terug naar zijn geboortestreek, waar hij als herder werkte om hun leven beter te begrijpen. Zijn verhalen gaan vaak over gerechtigheid, strijd tegen onderdrukking en de vrijheid van de bergen. Hij portretteerde de ruige, vrije geest van de Kaukasische bevolking en hun diepe verbondenheid met de natuur. Kazbegi’s werken, vol heroïsche figuren en tragische conflicten, versterkten de Georgische nationale identiteit en maakten hem tot een cultureel icoon. Tot op de dag van vandaag wordt hij herinnerd als de stem van de bergen en een symbool van de Georgische geest en strijdlust.

Taken in: Georgia / Mtskheta-Mtianeti / Sno (show map)

Taken on: October 19, 2023

Tags:

Caucasus

Georgia

Stone Sculpture

Merab Piranishvili

Art

Sculpture

Mountains

Stone Faces

Art Installation

Nature

Landscape

Culture

Ancient Wisdom

Mountain Dwellers

Stone Art

Hidden Gem

Natural Beauty

Georgian Art

Stepantsminda

Kazbegi

Stone Carving

Artistic Expression

Mountain Art

Face Sculptures

Cultural Heritage

Meditation

Tranquil

Mystical Art

Local Artists

Outdoor Art

Traditional Art

Geopark

Historical Art

Majestic Mountains

Artistic Harmony

Nature and Art

Monumental Sculpture

Caucasus Mountains

Regional Art

Emotions in Stone

Local Craft

Creative Landscape

Emotional Faces

Carved Stone

Sculptural Faces

Peaceful Atmosphere

Nature Sculpture

Timeless Art

Hidden Treasures

Unique Art

Spiritual Sculpture

Georgian Culture

Art and Nature

Sno Stone Face

Megalits

50+faves

top-f50

top-f100

100+Faves « less

Sets appears in: • Georgia

Groups appears in: • 100 faves • 50-100 Faves more » • Art: The revolution! • Favorites: 100 • *GreatPixGallery 50 Faves+ • Let's travel in Georgia (sakartvelo) • TRAVEL Photography! • Republic of Georgia/საქართველო • worldwidewandering - a travel atlas • 100+ Faves 1-2-3 (Post one,Comment and Fave two) • Holiday Art • You Think this is Art • Travel Photojournalism • We travel the World • Travel beyond words • Art Evokes Emotion • Best 100 pictures • Traveler's Photos • De Doka • ARTE-ART • Tbilisi, Georgia, Caucasus • Het Doka Archief • 50+ Fav LANDSCAPE GEOTAGGED (Invited only) • Travel Pixes • ~ Flickr's Finest (100+ Faves Only) ~ • as beautiful as you want • Tell me a story... (Show & Tell) • 100+ Faves Masterpieces (Post 1, Comment and Fave 1 or more) • Library 50,000 views or 100 favs (30/60 free ) • 24-70mm f/2.8 Shooters • Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 VC Di USD XR • Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD • Your Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD • Canon 6D User Group • Canon EOS 6D - Official Group • Canon EOS 6D • Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD - Full Frame / Vollformat • (A) MOUNTAIN VISTA • Tamron SP AF 24-70mm f/2.8 Di VC USD • Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 Di VC USD • Georgia (Country) • The Traveler's Bucket List • HD Travel • 50, 100, 200, 500, 1.000 favoritas • FAV = 110 and more • Georgia / Sakartvelo / Georgien / Грузия • Brain Vision. Art. • ! Beautiful and great captures • Travel Sights • 100 faves minimum - no 30/60 - no SL « less

Camera: Canon EOS 6D, f/9.0, 1/640 sec, 70mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS 6D
Aperture:	f/9.0
Exposure Time:	0.002 sec (1/640)
Focal Length:	70mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	-4/3 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	PaintShop Pro 24,00
Show full info

Stats: 4,380 views / 43 comments