Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness
– Frank Gehry
This challenge from Sofia is about time, how things evolve. I have chosen architecture in the city of Tblisi, Georgia. A city I loved from start to finish, because of …everything! Its architecture ranges from caves to supermodern buildings. They have it all. I loved its gentle and smiling people, the delicious food and wine.
Starting out of the city centre, we visited habitable caves where people lived until just recently.
When walking out of the oldest area and down to the city center, we saw more of tiles and bricks, modern and old techniques. The Orbeliani Sulphur Baths are spectacular buildings from the beginning of the city’s history in the 5th century.
In the middle the most famous of the baths in oriental style.
In some places the juxtapositions were too painful. Many people wanted to preserve something of the old style, and the restorations were fairly well done. But we found buildings made of wood, bricks, tiles and finally glass, together.
The ornamented and typical old style was broken into rounded corners and reflecting glass panels. When we asked people about their ”new” city, not many of them were positive to the changes. They only wanted clean water and electricity.
As you could see in the overall picture of Tblisi, there were some buildings that looked extremely odd – the Concert Hall (not in use…) and the Peace Bridge (in the upper left corner ).
Any architectural work that does not express serenity is an error
– Luis Barragán
Peace bridge in night light. Somehow changes are often taken to the extreme, and to me, it seems old and new seldom manage to coexist beautifully.
Alexandr, our guide, saw it as his mission to photograph old Tblisi for future generations to see and for older generations to reminisce about their younger days. And because he loved his city. He walked the streets of the old city every day, and the tearing down of the elaborately built houses, balconies and staircases made him sad. He told us he was going to donate all his photos to the city museum when he was unable to work anymore.
Beauty perishes in life, but is immortal in art
– Leonardo da Vinci
Sofia picked Art representations to show the passing of time. Now it is up to you to choose where you want to go when you look back in time. Maybe you will want to focus on the evolution of transport, or want to show things that have seen better days… or things that have become obsolete. We’re excited to see where and when you’ll take us. Remember to link to Sofia’s original post and tag Lens-Artists so we can all find you.
A special thank you to John and everyone that took part in last week’s challenge. There were many amazing images from 2022 and promises of a great 2023. Next week Anne will be our host. Please visit her wonderful site for inspiration.
Leya 
I had never heard of Tbilisi’s. To think of how the passing of time is possible by walking the streets. I guess you can find changes in many cities, but caves to modern glass buildings is fascinating. I love that you started your story with a birds eye view and then shared segments. It truly is picturesque. Your guide was pretty special . One of those people you just want to sit and listen to all day. The photo of the city was my favorite
Thank you, Donna. What Alexandr did not know about his city was not worth knowing!
I am sure!!!!
I’d never thought of Tblisi as a potential destination but after your amazing tour, I’ll put it on the list of dreams…
Well, I am glad to have inspired!
What a nice visual and written memory!
Happy you liked it, Florin. Thank you!
Amazing city, but the dicotomy is too much. Instead of complementing the city, the modern architecture is too overpowering. Evolving in the speed of light.
Well put, so it is. Thank you for commenting, Marlene!
Terrific tour Ann-Christine 😀
😄Thank you, Cee!
I know Viveka loved this place too. ❤️ It’s anything but ordinary, Ann-Christine, and under the radar for most people 🤗❣️
Yes, true. This challenge fitted well for their architecture. And it was because of Viveka’s advice we went!
Looks like a fabulous place. It’s been on my mind, but I didn’t know about the caves. The new architecture looks lovely, but I can understand that the locals would prefer good services instead. If only it wasn’t an either/or choice …
If only…yes. And ordinary people seldom get to choose, do they.
I’ve never been to Tblisi but it’s very much on our radar. It looks like the perfect place to explore architecture old and new (and in between). Interestingly I chose the same quote as you did for my look at architecture – it seemed to fit Sofia’s theme perfectly!
It did! Tblisi was fantastic I don’t know now though, because of all the Russians evading the war.
That’s a good point – something to consider if we decide to go in the future.
Yes. But difficult to know how it is in reality.
These are all wonderful. 😊
Thank you, Pepper!
An interesting tour around a city and country I will never visit. In fact it has never occurred to me to visit! So many cities demolish old buildings without a thought. I’m glad that here a lot have been listed to prevent their destruction, though in the 1960s much was lost.
Thank you, Jude. We lost much here as well in those years. But, some cities have now kept the old facades and renovated inside. Our closest city, and the village where I live, demolished all their old beauties around the main squares. Plain, ugly brick buildings there now.
Thanks for showing a bit of a (for me) unknown city (except the name) 👍
My pleasure!
😊
The combination of the old buildings and the modern (sometimes futuristic) constructions indeed produces very special images. The sulfur baths seem very special to me, I had never heard of them. The only ones I know are those from Aachen in Germany. Also the ”cave houses” look awesome.
It is a remarkable city, indeed.
Insightful. I also like the Gehry and Da Vinci quotes. 👏
Thanks, John!
Great post for this challenge Ann-Christine! I liked the Concert Hall. But why isn’t it being used? Too modern? It seems the city grew without a plan.
Your last sentence, I believe, says it all. And it seems the cost was high for the buildings so the money wasn’t enough for more…
😊
I enjoyed zooming in on these photos for the many details
My favorite image was an early in the post one – with that spiral
Staircase left and laundry hanging and details
-/
Also the tour guide has a nice life mission and purpose in his work! What a guy!
Thank you, I loved those spirals too. There were some left for us to see. Alexandr was a gem!
😊☀️
Those caves are something!
They are!
Love those cave homes and the baths as well as what Alexandr is doing. The mix of old and new, “good” and “bad” is interesting and thought-provoking.
Yes, thought provoking. And the baths were too hot for us! Alexandr was a gentleman of sorts. Like in old movies. And he really loved his mission.
Fascinating response to the’ looking back’ photo challenge Ann Christine.
Thank you, Anne! All in one place!
I love that you shared the good and bad of the city I will never see Ann-Christine. I loved the images and felt I’ was walking along beside you. Your opener is wonderful and the caves are amazing. I see what you mean about the newer structures missing the mark and feel the pain of your guide as he watches the older structures being destroyed. Terrific response to the challenge.
Thank you, Tina. I’d love to see Alexandr again too. I felt this city had all the buildings required for the challenge.
A wonderful taste of Tbilisi Ann-Christine. I would live to experience living in a cave there. I am sure they will be AirBnB stays one day 😂
Haha, well, that’s where we are heading all the time, aren’t we…
I think you may be right 🙂
What a fascinating picture of a city I have heard about since childhood without getting there myself. I remember Viveka’s recollections also . . . a lot of harsh reality behind the fascinating overview ! What a child remembers – way back Estonians actually preferred Georgian (‘Gruusia) champagne and cognac to that of French . . . supposedly more ‘subtle and elegant’ !!!
Ahhhhh, those wines were the most delicious ones I have ever tasted. They use only the grapes themselves and no added yeast. Estonians had good taste!