*9 Stories from Georgian Mythology* Mesepeni - The sea spirits of Colchis
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 the Mesepeni
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In the ancient, mist-shrouded folklore of Western Georgia (historically known as Colchis), the Mesepeni were not mere fairy-tale creatures, but powerful, semi-divine beings who ruled the Black Sea. The name Mesepeni, roughly translating to *The Disposers*. The core myth of the Mesepeni revolves around their absolute control over the marine ecosystem and the changing of the seasons. For most of the year, they lived in majestic, hidden kingdoms at the bottom of the sea.
Male and Female Mesepeni: Dual Nature
While the Mesepeni shared a collective duty as guardians of nature, Georgian folklore makes a fascinating distinction between the male and female entities of this race, painting them with distinct physical traits and roles.
Together, the male and female Mesepeni represented the two faces of the Black Sea: the males embodied its destructive power, authority, and seasonal wrath, while the females embodied its mesmerizing beauty, mystery, and irresistible allure.
Artist: Maya Abashidze
The Radical Power of Softness
We live in a world that rarely hits the pause button. Between the constant digital noise and the relentless pressure to produce, our minds are almost always operating at a high frequency. It is exactly against this backdrop of modern chaos that the art of Maya Abashidze feels less like a visual experience and more like a collective exhale. Her work offers to lower our shoulders and breathe. In a society that constantly glorifies the hustle, Maya Abashidze’s art becomes a radical permission slip to simply rest and be still.
