"This exhibition is the largest contemporary art project and one of the most extensive events in the public diplomacy and cultural programme. Contemporaneity, along with excellence and uniqueness, is one of the three elements that define this comprehensive programme. This exhibition will offer a wide international audience a unique and panoramic view of Latvian contemporary art and will introduce visitors to the most distinguished artists in this field," says Selga Laizāne, Head of the Public Diplomacy and Culture Programme Department at the Latvian Presidency Secretariat.
The exhibition is based on eight years' worth of records on the contemporary art process initiated and organised by the Purvītis Prize – the most prestigious contemporary art award in Latvia. The exhibition curator, the internationally acclaimed art theorist Viktor Misiano, has chosen eight of the artists nominated for the Purvītis Prize during the history of the award – the ones who to him are the most representative of the trends in thinking and expression in Latvian contemporary art. The exhibition features works by the winners of the Purvītis Prize – Katrīna Neiburga, Kristaps Ģelzis, Andris Eglītis and Miķelis Fišers – as well as by Ieva Epnere, Ģirts Muižnieks, Romans Korovins and the Orbīta group who have all been nominated for the award.
"We wanted to present a selection of the most striking phenomena in Latvian art: ones that emphasise the most characteristic traits of the national mentality and, at the same time, showcase Latvia as a vibrant player on the global art scene. The 'Ornamentalism' project offers eight distinctive individual positions; while complete opposites in many respects, they are united in sharing the same point of departure: the more art is aware of its own illusory nature, the more it transcends empirical experience to reveal an essential reality. Ornament is a 'will to art' (Kunstwollen), through which the soul of life shines," Viktor Misiano explains.
A large portion of the artwork was created especially for this exhibition, while the previously exhibited works will be adapted to the venue. The exhibition will feature the following works: the Lietas atmiņa (Memory of Things) sound and video installation by Katrīna Neiburga; the Mākslīgais miers IV (Artificial Peace IV) plastic paintings from the cycle Laikmetīgā ainava (Contemporary Landscape) by Kristaps Ģelzis; the Citādi no šejienes ārā netiksi (There Is No Other Way Out) installation and paintings by Andris Eglītis; works from the Netaisnība (Disgrace) exhibition by Miķelis Fišers; the Atteikšanās (Renunciation) HD video by Ieva Epnere; the Non Finito paintings by Ģirts Muižnieks; Tēvs darbā (Father at Work) inkjet prints by Romans Korovins; and the 2 soneti no Laputas (2 Sonnets from Laputa) installation by the Orbīta group.
Viktor Misiano, who created the project concept, has previously worked as the commissioner of national exhibitions at the Venice Biennale and is the ex-president of the Manifesta European Biennial of Contemporary Art. The exhibition curator, Daiga Rudzāte, is the Editor-in-Chief of the Arterritory.com art portal and Director of the INDIE Cultural Projects Agency. She has curated all four of the Purvītis Prize exhibitions and was also the commissioner of the Latvian exhibition at the 54th Venice Biennale in 2011.
The exhibition forms part of the Latvian EU Council Presidency public diplomacy and cultural programme which has contemporaneity, uniqueness and excellence as its core values. It aims to present Latvia as a reliable partner in cooperation, a cultural tourism destination and a source of inspiration, top-class professionalism and cultural achievement.
The exhibition is organised by the Secretariat of the Latvian Presidency in cooperation with the INDIE Cultural Projects Agency and Arterritory.com art portal. The exhibition partners are SIA Alfor, the Latvian National Museum of Art and the State Culture Capital Foundation.
