Management and Aesthetics in the Lighting of Caucasian Contemporary Churches

Inspection and investigation of the structural ornaments and decoration in the Caucasus region churches indicates a change or development of distinctive approach to some aspects of this issue. Application of natural and artificial light is one aspect of churches decoration, which managed and controlled in different ways. Field observations and historical study of different eras of churches construction in the region indicate that, there are different trend in the aesthetics and management of the light and decoration in both Georgia and Armenia. Traditional and historical approach in this context includes an introspective approach in which, distinct decoration are not accepted for the inside and outside of the church.This thought do prevent the penetration of light generally in to church. But this historical approach has taken two different paths in the contemporary era, the traditional and historical trends has been continued in the Armenia. Spaces of contemporary Armenian churches are dark with little light and outer face of the buildings are low light without any lighting in the night.The dominant approach in Georgia Churches is attracting tourists. It is achieved through more lighting and propagandistic design of light and decoration inside and outside of church building along with night lighting which highlighted it presence in the night view of the city. Thus we can say that management of decoration and lighting by municipal and religious leaders in the Armenia and Georgia were conducted in two different directions.