LEVAN LAGIDZE: Bach Exercises New York 2019

LEVAN LAGIDZE: Bach Exercises New York 2019

9 – 15 September, 2019

Monday, by appointment Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 – 6:00pm

Katrine Levin Galleries at Zürcher Gallery 33 Bleecker Street, Soho, New York, NY 10012 www.katrinelevin.com

L evan Lagidze is one of Georgia’s most significant living artists. Widely exhibited interna­ tionally, Lagidze’s abstracted and philosophical works are collected by leading museums worldwide, including the Tretyakov Gallery and Museum of Modern Art in Russia, the National Picture Gallery in Georgia, and the Zimmerli Museum in the U.S. Born in 1958 in Tbilisi, Georgia (then part of the Soviet Union), Lagidze graduated from Tbilisi State Academy of Arts in 1981. He founded and led the Tbilisi Artists’ House in 1983 and served as Chairman of Georgia´s Young Artists’ Union from 1986 to 1989. In the early 1990s he supported struggling Georgian artists in the turbulent decade following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the calmer times of 2011, he founded the Lagidze gallery in Tbilisi to showcase his works.

Creating a composition is like “measuring eternity with careful steps”

Lagidze’s art escapes definition except through a metaphor. He says that creating a composition is like “measuring eternity with careful steps”, where a blank canvas demands and promises complete immersion into the subject matter. In this state, concepts such as distance and time dissolve into an all encompassing here and now. As Nana Jorjadze, the Georgian film director, scriptwriter and actress very aptly wrote, “Inside every square of Levan Lagidze’s work is a separate universe. His world, his art, is a great galaxy. Perceiving his paintings depends upon distance: from afar, one sees a large canvas, but as one moves ever closer one’s approach seems endless and one discovers ever more numerous and increasingly minute universes within.”

I don’t want to surprise or to shock you. I only want to share with you.

“Inside every square of Levan Lagidze’s work is a separate universe”

Inspired by the spectacular landscapes and cityscapes of Georgia, Lagidze weaves a tapestry of life experiences. The rhythm of his gem-like colours invites you to pause, savouring the moment of discovery of hidden colours and textures. Lagidze looks deep beneath the surface to create vivid emotional connections and to share experiences in harmony and gratitude. “I don’t believe that in today’s world the function of art is to shock, provoke or surprise its viewers,” he says. “Rather, it carries a mission for harmonious existence and happiness. A relationship with painting is a participation in this infinite happy game.”

“Listening to Bach, I see the infinite”

The spacing and rhythm of Lagidze’s works is what links his compositions to Bach.

“Listening to Bach I see the infinite… Each measure, rhythm, accent and pause is so precise that his music is always new and unexpected. This is the magic of universal composition. The music you can see or the painting you can listen to…”

“Bach Exercises: NYC” is the first exhibition of Lagidze’s artworks in the United States.

Katrine Levin Founder, Katrine Levin Galleries, London

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“KS”. Oil on canvas. 130 x 105 cm, 2019

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“October”. Oil on canvas. 73 x 60 cm, 2019

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“Village in the mountains”. Oil on canvas. 130 x 105 cm, 2019

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“Red mountain”. Oil on canvas. 75 x 130 cm, 2019

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“Horizon”. Oil on canvas. 105 x 130 cm. 2019

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“Meadow”. Oil on canvas. 130 x 105 cm, 2019

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My journey

All paintings – Oil on canvas. 35 x 32 cm, 2019

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Katrine Levin Galleries is not a place, it is a destination to experience extraordinary contemporary art from places less explored. Our promise is art and beyond. In our pursuit of unique masters, we immerse ourselves into their cultures, intimate stories, and places that inspired and informed their art. Katrine commits long-term to a small selection of masters of diverse styles. Her focus is on art of enduring value that brings joy through originality, inspiration, and depth. We believe that such art and artists are rare. It is our privilege to share with you our discoveries of art and beyond, currently from Southwest China and Georgia.

Presented by Katrine Levin Galleries Contact details: Katrine Levin www.katrinelevin.com | [email protected]

London: +44 (0) 7789 001 378 New York: +1 917 346 1971 Follow us: Instagram: Katrine Levin Galleries Twitter: Katrine Art Speak Facebook: Katrine Levin Galleries

Photographs by Mirian Kiladze Graphic design by Sandro Chkhaidze Printed by “Favorite Print House”, Tbilisi