For centuries, southwestern Georgia has been distinguished by its characteristic economic activities and folk art. After acquaintance and study of these ancient traditions, Kemal Turmanidze decided to create the Aquani Museum of Folk Crafts and Life.
The following industries are represented in it: textile production, pottery, metal, stone and wood processing. The labor process, in accordance with the industries, is reflected in the clothes of mannequins, the working environment, weapons, inventory and musical folklore. It also presents models of residential, household and defense buildings and structures, models of temples and a chapel operating in Batumi.
Samples of the woodwork he completed were donated to Nobel Prize winners. His works are in several museums around the world and exhibitions have been held in 12 countries.
Kemal Turmanidze from childhood was fond of drawing, making toys and other layouts. After graduating from the boarding school, he continued his studies at the Batumi vocational school by profession, a builder. While studying at the Tbilisi Industrial Pedagogical College, they called up for the Army. Here he made friends with Aril Sakvarelidze, a freshman at the Mose Toidze School, who interested young Kemal in woodwork.
Together they rented an apartment in Tbilisi, made family and household items. The best of the works were presented at exhibitions, which determined their success and popularity. Kemal and Aril donated part of their work to art salons and thrift stores. With the assistance and assistance of the methodological center of folk art, now the national center of folklore, the master was able to achieve significant creative success.
At the end of the 80s of the last century, in the House of Pioneers of the Kedsky District, Kemal Turmanidze founded a circle for artistic processing of wood, where thanks to him 15 children managed to master this ancient skill.
During the period of activity in Keda, Kemal Turmanidze had a dream - to open a museum. He managed to collect up to 500 exhibits, but, unfortunately, no one showed interest. Museum of Local Lore of Adjara invited him to work as a restorer. The workshop was allocated, which contributed to the development of its activities. He devoted his free time to the future generation. At the Palace of Students, he taught children the art of decorating wood.
Thanks to the attention and assistance of responsive, kind people, he got a real opportunity to conduct activities in his own workshop. Fantasy has been enriched, the results of labor have become more fruitful. He made models of residential, utility buildings and structures with his personal plot, lighting and music. In the center of the workshop are mock-ups of temples operating in Batumi and chapels according to religious faith, taking into account the lighting of the corresponding interior and chants.
In order to better imagine the life, way of life and customs of South-West Georgia, over the last period Kemal Turmanidze built 30 huts, in which he placed mannequins suitably dressed, taking into account age, nature and work. Thus, he created for visitors all the necessary prerequisites and conditions for a full familiarization with the region.
In one of the corners of the creative salon-workshop, a place was given to his works. There are up to two hundred exhibits of wood cutting, including decorative panoramas, bowls of various shapes, furniture, caskets, souvenirs.
For three decades of creative activity, he took part in international, republican and city exhibitions, organized ethnographic corners at folk festivals. Publications were published about the activities of Kemal Turmanidze in various magazines and on the pages of newspapers. Republican and foreign television channels (Korea, Armenia, Turkey, Russia) have prepared 18 stories.
The creative salon-workshop is located in Batumi, in one of the Italian courtyards of the city. All exhibits are located in one small space with an area of 350 square meters. There you can buy the work of Kemal Turmanidze.
In the author’s dreams is to open an ethnographic museum in the city or its environs, after which the visitors will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the culture, life and history of South-West Georgia in a small space, especially since the interest in the small workshop is increased - it attracts attention as local residents and foreign tourists.