Protector of fields, valleys and wildflowers.
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.
Inquire to purchase the artwork: mail@sharedstory.blog Sharedstory
Mindort Batoni (მინდორთ ბატონი), which translates to "The Lord of the Fields," is a fascinating figure from Georgian mythology and folklore.
- The Trinity of Nature: In folklore, Mindort Batoni is often viewed alongside Ochopintre (ოჩოპინტრე), the spirit of the Forest and protector of wild animals, and Dali (დალი), the goddess of the hunt. While Ochopintre and Dali ruled the high, dangerous, and untamed wild, Mindort Batoni ruled the spaces shared between humans and nature—the fields where cattle grazed and crops grew.
- Protector Against Pests and Storms: If the fields were threatened by locusts, rodents, or severe weather like hail and droughts, people would offer prayers and small sacrifices to appease him and seek his protection.
- Maintainer of Balance: Like many figures in Georgian folklore, Mindort Batoni expected humans to respect nature. Taking too much from the land or destroying fields carelessly would anger him, leading to poor yields or ruined crops.
Today, Mindort Batoni remains a beautiful symbol of Georgia's deep, historical connection to the land and the ancient respect for the natural world.
Artist: Nika Machaidze
Digital Folklore
Nika Machaidze suggests a great concept: the ancient gods didn't die when the concrete took over—they simply moved into the wires, watching us through the glowing screens. He remains an artist who refuses to look back unless it is to propel something forward. By transforming a figure like *Mindort Batoni* into a modern visual figure, his work proves that folklore doesn't belong to the dead past; it belongs firmly to the future.
Nika Machaidze, known as *Nikakoi*, is a key figure in the Georgian electronic music scene. He doesn't just write music, but he directs it. He treats sound design like a camera lens. A sudden structural shift in a track feels like a sharp cinematic cut; wide audio specialization feels like a slow, panoramic sweep across a vast, empty valley. His projects never fit neatly into a single box because he seamlessly dissolves the boundaries between audio and visual art. He is not just a musician or a painter, but a creator of worlds.
