The Titan of the Caucasus
Project name: 9 Stories from Georgian Mythology (Created on the SharedStory Platform)
In Georgian folklore, the number nine isn’t just a digit—it carries a deep, mystical weight. It stands for wholeness, the closing of one chapter, and the exact moment a new one begins. If you look at oldest Georgian stories, nine is woven into everything:
- The 9 Mountains – The ultimate test of endurance and the obstacles we have to overcome.
- The 9 Springs – A symbol of cleansing, fresh starts, and spiritual healing.
- The 9 Brothers – The deepest bond of loyalty, family, and standing together.
- The 9-Eyed Sun – The all-seeing, warm center of the ancient universe.(The exact concept of a "Nine-Eyed Sun" (ცხრათვალა მზე - Tskhratvala Mze) is beautifully unique to Georgian folklore. You won't find a literal sun with nine eyes acting as a central deity in other major world mythologies)
Building on this sacred tradition, this exhibition brings together nine contemporary artists. Each one uses their own visual style to breathe fresh life into the gods, titans, and spirits of Georgian mythology, creating a bridge between ancient memory and modern eyes.
This is the first time a group exhibition has attempted to capture the entire, sprawling universe of Georgia's mythos. Together, these nine different artistic voices form a perfect circle—a complete cycle where the echoes of the past meet the heartbeat of today.
The Legend of Amirani
Inquire to purchase the artwork: mail@sharedstory.blog Sharedstory
Amirani was a demigod, born from a tragic union between Dali, the golden-haired goddess of the hunt, and a mortal hunter. Cut from his dying mother’s womb. As he came of age, Amirani became the ultimate protector of humanity. Alongside his faithful, mythical winged hound, Kursha, he roamed the land, waging a relentless war against evil. He cleansed the valleys of devis (monstrous giants), slaughtered man-eating dragons, and freed the people from the terrors of the dark. To the people of Georgia, he was an invincible savior.
But Amirani’s greatest strength—his boundless pride—would also be his undoing. Having conquered every monster on earth, Amirani’s hubris grew too massive for the mortal world. He looked toward the heavens and challenged the supreme god, to a duel of strength.
As punishment for his supreme arrogance, God did not strike him down. Instead, He doomed Amirani to a poetic, eternal torture.
Amirani was dragged to the highest peaks of the Caucasus Mountains and chained to an iron stake deep inside a colossal cave. His loyal dog, Kursha, stands by his side forever, tirelessly licking the heavy iron chains to wear them thin. Every year, just as the chains are about to snap and free the hero, God sends mystical blacksmiths to strike the anvils, reinforcing the iron and sealing Amirani's fate for another year.
Artist: Irakli Keidia
The Architect of Textures and Shadow
Irakli Keidia is a Georgian multidisciplinary artist whose work is inspired by ancient civilizations, mythology, symbolism, and collective human memory. His artworks combine history, imagination, and contemporary visual language, creating worlds where myth and reality intersect. Mythological narratives and archetypal figures play a central role in his practice, through which he explores themes of origin, power, and freedom.
In Keidia’s interpretation, Amirani is bound not only by iron chains, but also by memory, time, and cosmic cycles. The chains become symbols of the invisible forces that shape human destiny and existence. Through a contemporary visual language, the work reimagines one of the most powerful and enduring symbols of Georgian mythology.
