The sculpture “Ali and Nino,” located along the picturesque promenade of Batumi, has become a powerful symbol of love that transcends boundaries and prejudices. This dynamic installation embodies the magnetic attraction between a man and a woman, illustrating their unity in the face of life’s challenges.
The visionary behind this futuristic masterpiece, artist and architect Tamara Kvesitadze, drew inspiration from a novel attributed to the Azerbaijani writer Kurban Said, a topic that continues to spark debate among literary scholars. The book tells the poignant tale of Ali Khan Shirvanshir, a Muslim Azerbaijani, and Nino Kipiani, a Christian Georgian princess. Their touching and beautiful story explores the clash of cultures and the immortality of love. The couple endures numerous trials to be together, only to face a heartbreaking separation due to circumstances beyond their control.
This avant-garde moving monument symbolizes the eternal cycle of relationships: the yearning for one another, the fleeting moment of reunion, and the inevitable parting. The two figures, each standing 7 meters tall, are crafted from metal plates with openings, allowing them to merge into a single entity before separating and continuing their journeys alone. The captivating performance begins daily at 7 PM, when a vibrant array of neon lights illuminates the sculpture, creating stunning variations of reflections and shadows on the installation and the calm sea. The cycle of movement lasts for ten minutes, and during the day, the statues of the man and woman appear semi-transparent against the backdrop of the sky.
This sculptural composition has garnered acclaim from art critics at the Venice Biennale and has been featured in various tourist rankings, including “15 Amazing Sculptures You Won’t Believe Exist” and “10 Most Famous Romantic Monuments in the World.” The model of this dynamic monument has been exhibited in galleries across Europe and the United States, earning worldwide recognition.
The project’s creator hails from Tbilisi. Tamara Kvesitadze spent some time living in Italy before moving to America, where she continues to create new artistic works. Originally, the art object was titled “Man and Woman,” but it was later renamed after the protagonists of the love story. The novel, which became a bestseller in 1937, has been reprinted over 100 times and translated into 33 languages; in 2015, it was adapted into a film titled “Ali and Nino.”
On the promenade, where the steel silhouettes of the man and woman meet and part each evening, visitors can also find other iconic landmarks of the resort, including the Batumi Lighthouse, the Monument to the Georgian Alphabet, and the Chacha Tower.