Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

These statues pass through each other daily, telling a tragic love story

Figures represent a Muslim boy and a Christian girl

Christopher Hooton
Tuesday 13 October 2015 15:20 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

‘Man and Woman’ by Georgian sculptor Tamara Kvesitadze is pretty striking on its own - two towering human made out of metallic discs - but the installation becomes even more impressive when you realise the statues are moving.

Representing a Muslim boy, Ali, and a Christan Georgian princess, Nino, characters from a novel by Azerbaijani author Kurban Said, the figures draw closer, kissing, before continuing on their route and passing through one another, eventually parting and facing in opposite directions, representative of the characters' separation by the invasion of Soviet Russia.

The statues spring into life every day at 7pm in the seaside town of Batumi, Georgia, their journey happening slowly over 10 minutes.

‘Man and Woman’, re-christened “Ali and Nino”, was designed in 2007 but not installed until 2010 - it’s been delighting passers-by ever since.

(@kadirozgundez)
(@kadirozgundez)
(@estodipesto)
(@estodipesto)

You can see more of Kvesitadze’s work on her website.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in