A workshop titled ‘Creation of the concept of interpretation centre for Tbilisi Chess Palace and Alpine Club‘ was organised by the Georgian Committee of the Blue Shield (GNCBS) on 11th May 2019.
The workshop was held within the framework of the project “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Modern Architecture in Georgia” and aimed at enhancing the skills of students/graduates of the faculties of design, digital communications or museum studies, and concepts for the creation of an interpretation centre for the Chess Palace and Alpine Club.
14 participants were selected for the workshop through an open call, based on a questionnaire.
During the first part of the workshop, the Chair of the Blue Shield Committee – Manana Tevzadze, the researcher – Nini Palavandishvili, and Heritage Conservation and Site Management specialist – Tinatin Meparishvili, gave presentations on the aim of the project, various aspects of the history of the Chess Palace and Alpine Club, and the purpose of interpretation centres, respectively.
From the left: A tour around the Chess Palace and Alpine Club, Inspection of the façade; Nini Palavandishvili (Researcher) giving a presentation on the history of the construction of Tbilisi Chess Palace and Alpine Club; A tour around the Chess Palace and Alpine Club, Nini Palavandishvili introducing archival photos and sketches to the participants. Photos © Maryam Kalkhitashvili, Blue Shield Georgia, 2019.
The theoretical discussions were followed by a tour around the building, led by Nini Palavandishvili and Lela Ninoshvili (project coordinator), during which participants had a chance to examine alterations to the original tissue of the building, and gather ideas about the possible location and concept of the interpretation centre.
After the tour, the project architect gave a presentation on a recent survey of the building, its results and findings.
The participants were divided in three groups and were given five days to prepare an interpretation centre concept, of either the Chess Federation, the Alpine Club or both.
Following the workshop, the contributions of the participants were displayed in the exhibition organized by GNCBS at Tbilisi Chess Palace and Alpine Club, as part of the European Museum Night initiative, the theme of which this year was: “Museums as Cultural Hubs: Future of Tradition”.
Two concepts of interpretation centre for Tbilisi Chess Palace and Alpine Club © Georgia Blue Shield, 2019.
