I made a short (59 second) video clip about Tbilisi Metro, using my smartphone (a Huawei) and a simple video edit program called VideoShow. Here is the link: click here
(I don’t have a premium account to add the clip directly to my WordPress blog).
I haven’t done any video editing before but I was able to add music and subtitles as well as making some transitions from one cut to the next.
fountain
When an image comes out well, it gives me satisfaction, even if it comes from using some clever technology like Prisma. This is a shot of the fountain in Tavisuplebis Moedani (Liberty Square) in Tbilisi. The image was put through the Prisma “electric” filter on my android phone, which uses some clever AI, I felt satisfied with the result.
For other interpretations of the theme, click on this link: Satisfaction
Three weeks ago, I attended my first acrylic workshop with Tako Shashiashvili (Tako Shashiashvili Art (Facebook page). The first session (Discovering the inner artist.) went well, so I was happy to attend a second workshop entitled “Delicious Painting 4”. Again we met on the top terrace of No.21 Terrace Restaurant in Maidani in Old Tbilisi, which has a fabulous view of the old Metekhi Church on the opposite bank of the Mtkvari River.
View of the Old Metekhi Church
Tako again supplied all the necessary materials. This time we had canvases stretched on a wooden frame rather than on board.
Tako prepares my palette
I could have chosen a different view from the first time, but I was interested to see how my paintings would compare, so I tackled the same view again.
The group was smaller this time just three of us learners. In July and August many people leave Tbilisi, if they can, because of the heat. We started later (18.30 as opposed to 17.00) and I felt more time pressure than before, as the light was fading, we also had a few spots of rain.
Martin took off lickety-split and had almost covered his canvas in paint before I had even started. Taisia adopted a more measured controlled approach. It was getting dark by the time we were ready to show our finished pictures.
Our paintings: me, Martin, Tako and Taisia
I was happier with my earlier painting.
Painting (2 July 2017)
Painting (23 July 2017)
I think I’m happier with the first painting because the church looks better, the colours are closer to reality and it was more carefully rendered. The Metekhi church had had scaffolding erected on one side between the two painting sessions.
Metekhi Church with scaffolding
Today, I bought myself a blank canvas, so I can practise at home. I hope to have more opportunities to paint in the future, it was fun. Thanks, Tako 🙂 Didi madloba.
Cars (over)loaded with watermelons are a common sight in Tbilisi during the Summer months.
Outside our block in Varketili (Tbilisi) is a water fountain.
On a hot summer’s day it is a magnet for thirsty children.
But it is not just children drawn to the cool water.
Horses get thirsty too, and not just mammals but also our avian friends, the little sparrows like to take a sip now and then.
I’ve seen dogs drinking here, too. But have yet to get a photo.
I rarely voice my anger in public. I was walking past a stall near Varketili Metro (Tbilisi, Georgia) and I noticed among the “fashion jewelry” a wrist band with a swastika symbol. I know the swastika predates Nazi Germany, being an ancient Hindu symbol, but to my mind I see it as the emblem of Nazi Germany. Anyone who would wear such a symbol is to my mind seeking to provoke a reaction (like when some British punks used Swastika armbands in 1976 and 1977) or they are sympathetic to the ideology of the Nazis and their leader Adolf Hitler.
The sales assistant told me off for taking a picture, I reacted by saying angrily “What the fuck is that?” (pointing at the swastika). This is very uncharacteristic, I often feel anger but rarely voice it. The sales assistant just glared at me. I walked off. I’m not a brave person and tend to avoid conflict where possible.
I posted the picture on Facebook and had various comments, now I’m posting here.
Swastika Fashion Jewelry
It is ironic that the neighbouring bracelet has the word “FREEDOM”….
Since posting I have seen more examples of “Nazi Bling” around Tbilisi.
a strange swastika inspired creation in a shop called “Underground” in the subway by Freedom Square
Tbilisi Metro Carriage
Tavisuplebis Moedani
I was caught in the rain this evening at Tavisuplebis Moedani (Liberty Square) but it did allow me to get this shot, which I quite like.
დავით აღმაშენებელი
This was a photo I took of the equestrian statue of David the Builder. The cloud above looks like smoke coming from his hand. It was a lucky capture, I was on the minibus from Didi Dighomi to Didube. The statue is on the corner of D. Agmashenebeli Alley, the minibus slows a little to turn the corner, but there is no time to compose the photo as we drive past, just a quick click of the shutter and hope for the best. The windows of the minibus are closed and grimy, closed to allow the air conditioning to function but this gives a murky quality to any photo taken through them.
David the Builder (დავით აღმაშენებელი)(1073 – 24 January 1125) is considered to be the most successful king of Georgia and the creator of the Georgian Golden age.
jim holroyd 365 