U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP)
2014 competition
Information about Applicant
Name of the organization or individual:
Director of the organization:
Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Website:
Date and place of registration (for
organizations only):
Number of Registration (for organizations
only):
Name of the project coordinator:
Coordinator's address:
Coordinator’s phone:
Coordinator’s e-mail:
The Museum for History of Georgian
Medicine
Ramaz Shengelia
51, Uznadze st. 0102 Tbilisi, Georgia
9955-99565660
shengelia@tsmu.edu
202937878
Wato Tsereteli Frances Belser
9, Zaldastanishvili st. 0108 Tbilisi, Georgia
9955-77468446
wato@cca.ge
Information about the project:
Name of the project:
Inventory and preservation of the collection of the Museum for
History of Georgian Medicine
Total cost of the project: USD 28182.7
Amount requested from US Ambassador Fund for Cultural Preservation: USD 24282.7
Implementation period: 01.09.2014
Duration of the project: 6 months
Brief Summary of the project:
The Museum for History of Georgian Medicine possesses a unique collection of more
than 19,000 objects ranging from prehistoric archeological materials to the
documentation of XIX century Georgian medical practices and the formation of first
Georgian medical faculties. This unique collection is at immediate risk of disappearance
due to the lack of proper conditions for its conservation and protection. Although four
ledgers exist (handwritten) with a rudimental description of the individual objects, none of
the items has been digitized. The collection at present is inaccessible for widespread
viewing or searching a particular subject or item. The project intends to inventorize and
preserve the collection through the specialized treatment of each object and arrange an
appropriate space for their further storage.
Background:
Established in 1963, the Museum for History of Georgian Medicine was the first museum
of such type and function in the Soviet Union. At the moment, it is situated in the
classicist style historic building from 1872, which formerly belonged to State Medical
University and is now owned by city of Tbilisi. By the end of 1980s the main
reconstruction works of the museum building were nearly finished. However, due to the
political instability of 90s, the development of the museum stopped. In 2005 even the
minimum financing of the museum, which enabled payment of the utility and security
fees ceased. The museum existed only through the enthusiasm of the employees and
some activities (conferences, publishing and etc.) were still carried out on its behalf. The
building suffered from fire, which was soon liquidated and two small-scale thefts.
Manuscripts are subject to mold growth and infested with pests. The photo archive is
deteriorating due to the lack of cool, dry and acid-free storage space. Metal artifacts are
subject to oxidation and corrosion caused by moisture. Many of these items, especially
the manuscripts and historic documents, need individual treatment by skilled
conservators. Otherwise, the ongoing process of deterioration will be irreversible.
After involvement in the Project ‘Time Machine – Museum in 21st century’ (implemented
by the Goethe Institute Tbilisi), the new life of the museum started. The project intends to
reshape structures of the post-soviet museums and transform them into platforms,
where the ways of social, cultural, political development of the country intersect and
become tangible. The group of experts: Frances Belser (Switzerland), Wato Tsereteli
(Georgia), Hans De Herder (The Netherlands), Alexander Scharz (Germany) and the
Center of Contemporary Art –Tbilisi are working on reinventing the new museum
concept.
Project justification, Statement of Importance and Urgency
The collection of the Museum has preserved evidence of Colchian-Iberian medical
practices. The beginning of Georgian History of Medicine is associated with Medea, the
daughter of King Aeëtes of Colchi (XIII-XII BC) who is considered to be the
personification of medical-pharmacological knowledge. The term medicine is obviously
related to Medea’s name.
The collection can be more or less be grouped and identified into the following clusters
of objects:
- Archeological objects such as clay vessels and fragments of water supply systems of
XII century;
- Medical manuscripts (XVII-XIX centuries) both on parchment and paper;
- Historical medical instruments and equipment, such as x-ray equipment and
microscopes from XIX century;
- Georgian folk medicine equipment;
- An exceptional photo collections early twenties of XX century, both negatives and
prints;
- Paintings and sculptures of renounced Georgian Artists; (including Lado Gudiashvili,
Sergo Kobuladze).
A significant part of the collection was obtained through more than 40 expeditions held
between 1960-1987 in each region of Georgia, resulting in unique material on traditional
Georgian medicine, including more than 500 manuscripts and historic documents.
The archeological, ethnographic and iconographic content of the collection demonstrates
the breadth and diversity of Georgian medical history, and reflects the main stages and
directions of its development, focusing on:
- Prehistoric archeological materials discovered in Georgia, which has preserved
information on biota of this region and anthropological data on Paleolithic Cro-Magnon
people in these territories;
- Medical practices of ancient Colchis people;
- Medical practices associated with Georgian Royalty;
- Medicine and Christianity, practices of Georgian monasteries;
- Georgian philosophers and medicine;
- Georgian Medical manuscripts;
- Achieves of historical healers;
- Medicine of XIX century Georgia;
- Establishment and development of Caucasian Medical Association;
- Formation and development of first medical specialties;
- Medicine in independent Georgia between1918-21;
- Establishment of medical faculties in Georgian Universities;
- Medical institutions in Soviet Union.
The building of the Museum is currently not equipped for the preservation of the
collection. At this moment, the collection is stored in carton boxes and kept in the humid
and polluted space of the Museum, the severally damaged building of which is
undergoing reconstruction. With the effort of the Center for Contemporary Art-Tbilisi, the
roof of the building has already been repaired. Furthermore, the Georgian Ministry of
Culture has set aside a 2014 budget (50,000 GEL) for renovation of the structural
building in order to create the conditions for future storage and long term preservation.
Objectives
This collection is the core of the museum. By preserving the collection through
systematization of the archives and dry-cleaning of the items, the main factors damaging
the collection will be eliminated.
Considering the fragility and the delicate nature of the collection, as well as its unique
character (the manuscripts and historic documents are irreplaceable, since they are not
available elsewhere or any other format, including electronic form), it requires treatment
by relevant professionals. In case of funding by the AFCP, the Georgia National
Museum, which is to be considered as the most competent institution for the
preservation and conservation of collections of historic importance, undertakes to
employ its expertise for the cleaning and treatment of the exhibits of the collection of the
of the Museum for History of Georgian Medicine.
Moreover, the creation of storage/conservation space is another important step for
preserving the collection. This effort is already being undertaken through the fundraising
of the Center of Contemporary Art-Tbilisi and Goethe Institute. The Storage space will
be renovated by March 2014.
The AFCP grant will enable the Museum to equip the renovated space with due facilities
for preserving the collection, including but not limited to: climate and humidity control,
appropriate selection of storage fixtures, such as shelving units and what is most
important dry-cleaning of each item.
Activity timetable. 01.09.2014 – 01.03.2015
Activity/Month
Training
Categorization/ Inventory
Dry-cleaning and treatment of items
1
2
3
4
5
6
Outcomes of the project:
Through funding the proper treatment and preservation of artifacts maintained in the
Museum, AFCP will contribute to saving the only existent collection of the history of
Georgian medicine. Over decades, the Museum has accumulated invaluable pieces
evidencing various stages of the development of medical practice in Georgia and thus it
represents a significant knowledge based not only for Georgian health professionals, but
for international scholars, researchers and scientists.
Besides preserving the collection, the Museum will serve as an educational basis and
informational resource center for the students of Tbilisi State Medical University and
other higher medical institution in Georgia, as well as the global community of health
professionals. Moreover, it will stimulate the study of medical history through research,
teaching and dialogue among communities of students, scholars and the wider public.
Future Vision
The Long-term plan of the museum is to reshape its structure and status of an institution
designated for preservation and conservation and become a dynamic educational space.
It will use its potential as an institution that could implement and supplement not only
medical faculties but also school education. The museum intends to create an
environment, where school students get wider understanding of the meaning of
medicine, practices involving knowledge about nature and healing qualities of plants,
links between medicine and spiritual practices. Museum will create environment where
the objects of the past will be used as tools to generate knowledge accessible to future
generations.
Budget of the project
Item/activity
Cost and description of items
and activities scheduled for 6
month
Total
Amount
USD
Requested Other (donor
from
or
Foundation organization)
$1780
$1780
-
$5200
$5200
-
$3540
$3540
-
$1320
$1320
-
$1500
$1500
-
$3900
0
Dutch
Embassy
$17240
$13340
$180 per item 18 units
$135 per item 2 units
$90 per item 4 units
$3240
$270
$360
$3240
$270
$360
-
$1 unit
$220
$220
-
$1190 1 unit
$1190
$1190
-
$410
$410
$410
-
$1340 1 unit
$1340
$1340
-
$180 per item 2 units
$825 per item 2 units
$360
$1650
$360
$1650
-
1. Staff Salaries
1.2. Registrar
$445 2 persons 2 months
1.3. Preservation
$520 2 persons 2 months
Assistants
$590 Conservator GNM
1.4.Supervisor
6 months
1.5.Accountant
$220 6 months
1.6. Project
$250 6 months
Coordinator
1.7. External
$1 week visit and training
Advisor
2. Technical
equipment &
preservation
materials
2.1. Shelves
2.1. Desk
2.2. Chair
2.3. Conservation
Table
2.4. Dehumidifier
2.5.
Transportation of
dehumidifier
2.6. Airconditioning
climate control
2.7. Screen
2.8. Computer
2.9. External hard
drive
2.10. UPS
2.11. Vacuum
Cleaner
2.13. Natural
rubber sponge
2.14. Erasing
sponge
2.15. Fine erasing
powder
2.16. Dust brush
(soft)
2.17. Dust brush
(hard)
2.18. Dust brush
(flat use)
2.19. Book fold
Brush
2.20. Cotton
Gloves N10
2.21. ThermoHygrometer
2.22. Technical
Ethanol
2.23. Cotton
2.24. Working
cloth
2.25. Antidust
Masks
2.26. Distiller
water
2.27 Internet
Supply
$107 per item 2 unit
$214
$214
-
$145 per item 1 unit
$145
$145
-
$190 per item 2 units
$380
$380
-
$9.50 per item 10 units
$95
$95
-
$6.50 per item 10 units
$65
$65
-
$17 per item 4 units
$68
$68
-
$6.4 per item 2 units
$12.8
$12.8
-
$6 per item 4 units
$12
$12
-
$11.60 per item 4 units
$46.4
$46.4
-
$20 per item 4 units
$80
$80
-
$2.65 per item 4 units
$79.5
$79.5
-
$19 1 unit
$19
$19
-
$1.20 per item 40 units
$48
$48
-
$0.60 per item 50 units
$30
$30
-
$24 per item 4 units
$96
$96
-
$100
$100
$5 per 10 Litters
$5
$5
-
$50 per months 6 months
$300
$300
-
$0.50 per item 200 units
-
$10835.7 $10835.7
4. Other Costs
GRAND TOTAL
$28182.7 $24282.7
-
Classicist style building of the Museum for History of Georgian Medicine
Part of the Archive replaced from the damaged storage room
The handwritten ledger
Traditional medical tools, ritual objects
Current condition of the storage space
The letter of support and authorization of the Ministry of Culture of Georgia
The director of the Museum for the History of Georgian Medicine
CURRICULUM VITAE
PROFESSOR RAMAZ SHENGELIA
MD., Ph.D, Sc.D.
Born on September 28, 1952, in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Speaks: Georgian, Russian, English
EDUCATION
1969
1975
1975
1990
1994(May)
1994 (July)
1995
Leaved secondary school with honors.
Graduated Tbilisi State Medical Institute.
Graduated Faculty of Arts, Tbilisi State University.
Graduated High Courses of History of Medicine (Moscow, Semashko
Institute).
"A Program for Organizational Development" - Basic Economics,
Principle of Management, Marketing. San-Jose State University.
"A Program for Organizational Development"- Budget Cost Control
(I stage). San-Jose State University.
"A Program for Organizational Development" - Budget Cost Control
(II stage). San-Jose State University.
WORK EXPERIENCE
1976-78
1978-91
1991- at now
1995-2008
1996
1992-97
1999- at now
1999 – at now
1999-2004
2002-2005
2003
2005
2006 - 2009
Surgeon at Akhaltsikhe (South Georgia) Regional Hospital.
Researcher at Tbilisi Institute of Surgery. Senior Surgeon, since 1984
Head of Chair for History of Medicine and Bioethics. Tbilisi State
Medical University (TSMU)
Head of Department for Traditional Medicine, IECM, TSMU
Research works at Wellcome Institute for History of Medicine.
London College University. UK
Manager of American Humanitarian Corporation ACTS International
(Georgia)
Director of Museum for History of Georgian Medicine
Representative of “Quanta – Medical Group”(France)
Deputy Director of Experimental and Clinical Medicine Research
Institute of TSMU
Chief Editor of Georgian Medical Encyclopaedia
Counsellor of International Society for History of Medicine
Dean of Medical Faculty of TSMU
Head of Publishing House of TSMU
SCIENTIFIC ACITIVITY
1984
MD. Ph.D.
1995- at now
1996- 2012
1997
1998 - at now
2004
2005
2012
Member of Council for History of Science, Georgian Academy of
Sciences.
Member of Administrative Council of the International Society of
History of Medicine (ISHM). Counsellor.
Science Doctor (Sc.D.).
Vice-president of Georgian Society for History of Science
Member of Academy of Medical Sciences of Georgia.
Member of Washington Academy of Science.
Member of Editorial Boards:
"Asclepios" Magazine (Bulgaria) "
“The Annals of Tbilisi State Medical University" (Georgia)
"Georgian Medical News" (Georgia)
"Sakartvelos Samedicino Jurnali" (Georgia)
Vice-president of the International Society for History of Medicine
(ISHM).
EXPERTISE
2004 – at now Expert of UNESCO in Bioethics
2006 – at now Expert of IBF International Consulting
SPORTIVE AND RESCUE ACTIVITIES
1977-82 Member of Georgian Mountaineering Team.
1977
Awarded Medal of Honor for the unique surgical operation made at 4000 m
altitude in Pamir.
1984
Svaneti (Georgia, Caucasian mountains) avalanche and flood.
Rescue Team.
1988 Spitaki (Armenia) earthquake. Rescue Team.
1990 Racha (Georgia) earthquake. Rescue Team.
1990 Iran earthquake. International Rescue Team. Awarded by Iran
Governement.
AWARDS
1998
1999
2006
2011
2013
Medal of Al-Jazar (Tunisia).
Medal and Diploma: "Outstanding People of XX Century" (IBC
Cambridge, England).
Marie Curie Award. Cambridge (UK)
Giorgi Athoneli Medal (Georgia)
Zaza Phanaskerteli Prize (Georgian National Academy of Science)
The Supervisor/Conservator of the Georgian National Museum
Pridon Lobjanidze
born 7.Sept.1971 in Oni/Georgia
lives and works in Tbilisi/Georgia
address:
8. M.Tamarashvili st
0179 Tbilisi
Georgia
pridonioni@yahoo.com
+995 599 270 824 (Cell)
Professional Experience
 2010 – present. Georgian National Museum, Head of Restoration/Conservation
group.
 From 2010 Trainer and Lecture on restoration and mounting of glass plates.
 2010 – present. Senior Teacher, Tbilisi State Art Academy.
 2002 – 2010 Georgian National Museum, Main Conservator and Restorer at
D.Ermakov photographic archive project. (In cooperation with Nederlandsche
Foto Institute)
 1995 – 2002 Senior Teacher, Tbilisi State Art Academy, Department of Graphic
Art.
Education
 2002 Training, restoration and conservation of photography (Nederlansche foto
museum, restoration and conservation studio NFrA – Rotterdam)
 2008 Training, restoration and conservation of photo albums and
paper.(Nederlandsche Foto Museum, restoration and conservation studio NFrA Rotterdam)
 1995 – 1998 Post graduate study at S. Kobuladze Atelier (Tbilisi State Art
Academy)
 1989 – 1995 Tbilisi State Art Academy, Graphic Department
Exhibitions
 2010 Group exhibition at ARCI Gallery, Tbilisi
 2009 Group exhibition at Georgian Artists Union, Tbilisi
 2006 Group exhibition at Koppala Gallery, Tbilisi
 1998 International Triennial of Graphics, Tokyo
 1997 International Quadrennial of Graphics, Moscow
 1997 International Biennale of Graphics, Canagava, Japan
 1995 International Biennale of Graphics, Canagava, Japan
Scholarships
 2002 - 2003 Scholarship of Rustaveli Society
Rewards
 1995 United Nations Tbilisi, Poster competition, First Prize
 1997 Georgian National Gallery, First Prize
Languages: Georgian (Native), English (Good), Russian (Good)
The Project Coordinator
Wato Tsereteli
born 17.Sept.1975 in Tbilisi
live’s and works in Tbilisi/Georgia
address:
9. Zaldastanishvili
0108 Tbilisi
Georgia
wato@cca.ge
http://cca.ge
+995 577 468 446 (Cell)
Main Exhibitions as an Artist
2013 'Viennafair' Vienna, Austria
2011 'To see the Dimensions. Artists from Georgia'. Lunds Konsthall Sweden.
2011 'Caucasian Federation' Public space Warsaw, Trans-Caucasia Festival. Poland
2009 'Structural Changes' Center of Contemporary Art Warsaw Ujazdowski Castl.
Poland
2009 The Seas Festival Tromso/Norway
2009 53rd Venice Biannale “Descriptions: Tbilisi” video essay (almost 15min) Film
Program
2009 'Born in Georgia / Contemporary art from Georgia', Cobra Museum for
Contemporary Art, Amstelveen. Holland
2008 ArtIsterium international Exhibition in Tbilisi History Museum Carvasla. Georgia.
2008 'Voyage à Tbilissi', Nantes, France. "Musée des beaux-arts de Nantes. France.
2007 'The Nature and a City'. Cumberto gallery Tbilisi. Georgia.
2004 'Neo Geo' @ Art Moscow International art fair. Moscow. Russia.
2002 'TABLA - Georgische Festwochen in Wien' WUK, Vienna. Austria.
2001 'Structural Changes. Documents' in 'Unternehmen Mitte' Basel. Switzerland.
Main Exhibitions as a Curator
2012 February – curator of a solo show of Georgian filmmaker and artist Alexandre
Rekhviashvili @ CCA Tbilisi
2011 October – curator of the show Slide/One Mamuka Japharidze VS Koka Ramishvili.
@ CCA Tbilisi.
2011 May – curator of solo show of Voldemars Johansons at CCA-Tbilisi. @ CCA Tbilisi.
2011 March – curator of a show Writing with Color, by 15 georgian artists @ CCA Tbilisi.
2011 January – curator of a show On the Way, by 6 artists @ CCA Tbilisi.
2010 October – curator of a show TRANSIT, by 5 swedish artists @ CCA Tbilisi.
2010 October – curator of a show THE HEALTH, by 6 georgian artists @ CCA Tbilisi.
2005 July – curator of the South caucasian exhibition on photography: ‘Utopia’ in Berlin
State gallery IFA – Institute Fuer Auslandsbeziehungen. With participation from 12
artists from Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia.
2004 November – Co-curator of Swedish Georgian exhibition: ‘Untrue Stories’ in Tbilisi
History Museum_Carvasla. with participation of: co-curator Marianne Zamecznik, artists:
Leif Elggren, Karl Larsson, Lina Selander, Karl Holmquist, Carl Michael von Hausswolff,
Nikolai Lizonov, Levan Nutsibidze, Koka Ramishvili. Workshop of Karl Larsson.
2003, November – Curator of Exhibition ‘bit_bureau of inverse technology’ in Tbilisi
History Museum_Carvasla.
2003, Mei – Curator und Manager of International Art Exhibition: 'Appendix2_Diffusion
and Its Topology', Co-curator: Daniel Brefin. artist: Harun Farocki, Atelier van Lieshout,
Johan Grimonprez, Niko Lomashvili, Mamuka Japaridze, Karine Matsakian, Orkhan
Huseynov, Tora Agabekova, Philippe Meste...
2002, July – Initiator und Curator: 'Stroy-DiStroy_Visual Research on Torture', Exhibition
and public events with 4 Georgian artists. In cooperation with 'Georgian Centre of
Rehabilitation of torture victims’.
2001, October – Initiator und Curator of 'Appendix_Some Reflections on Contemporary
Photography in the Caucasus.' Appendix is a biannual exhibition initiative focused on
Caucasian and international artists.
1999 – 2004 Organized Workshops in CCCD/maf:
Stefan Hoschtetler, Harun Farocki, Society of Algoritm (mxhz.org), Nat Muller, Katrien
Reist, Leyla Akhunzade, Karl Larsson, Marianne Zamecznik, Joep van Lieshout, Bruno
Steiner und Roman Bleichenbacher, Carl von Weiler, Irene Maag, Loes Nas, Daniel
Brefin, Matthias Waehner, Martin Parr, Dena L. Hawes, Ian Jeffrey, Geert Goirs etc.
Executed projects
2010 Founding Director of the Center of Contemporary Art - Tbilisi
2007 Founding of a Open Space CUMBERTO: an informal art gallery and bar.
2002 – 2007 Coordinator of conservation and restoration Project of Photo archive of
Dimitri Ermakov (1870-1916), Archive supposed to be on world culture heritage list –
UNESCO.
2002 – 2005 Regional coordinator of ‘Avanti_ program to support the South Caucasian
film community on creative and legal issues’. SDC-Swiss agency for development and
cooperation Bern.
1999 – 2000 Participation in concept design of Georgian pavilion at EXPO 2000
Hannover/Germany.
Actual occupation
Head of department photography at Tbilisi State Art Academy.
Founding director of Center of Contemporary Art – Tbilisi, Georgia.