Kirill Zdanevich was a Georgian modernist, graphic artist, painter, theater decorator, one of the founders of Georgian-Russian Cubo-Futurism, creator of “orchestral drawing,” and leader of Tbilisi’s avant-garde movement.

Tbilisi’s avant-garde period is associated with the names of Kirill and his brother Ilia Zdanevich. These two Georgians of Polish origin defined the dynamics of the Cubo-Futuristic movement of Georgian avant-garde art in the 20^th century.

Kirill Zdanevich’s works were created during an extremely interesting and dramatic period in the history of Georgia. His career began in the epoch of the avant-garde, continued during the Soviet totalitarian regime, and ended in the post-Stalinist period. As a progressive artist who introduced stylistic innovations, he made significant changes to Georgian culture. The name of the brothers Zdanevich is associated with the discovery and popularization of Niko Pirosmani’s work, continuing the tradition of monumental painting and the study of Georgian cultural monuments, the establishment of artistic associations and the publication of unique futuristic books.

Throughout his life, Kirill personally experienced the intensity of his creative pursuits and the weight of Soviet rule. He was one of the few who maintained a subconscious connection with the free Western world in a locked country that was enclosed behind the iron curtain of the Soviet Union. His art was clearly national and, at the same time, combined general ideas of diverse cultural traditions and important innovative movements. At any moment during this difficult historical epoch, Zdanevich was always involved in a dialogue concerning various cultural issues in a variety of fields of art.

Baia Tsikoridze

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