26.05.23.-31.08.23.
Pauls Stradiņš Medicine History Museum
In the exhibition "How I've Been Feeling Lately" by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art contemporary artists reflect on the subject of mental health – both through their own experiences with illness and its prevention and those of their loved ones and through an investigation of societal prejudice and the stigma surrounding this topic.
Geopolitical tensions, climate anxiety, pandemic isolation and the increased use of new technologies has left its mark on society's mental health. Since the pandemic, this subject has gained increasing public relevance, yet much prejudice, suspicion and condemnation remains. In order to foster public awareness and reduce prejudice on this subject, the exhibition turns to various perspectives on mental health – a personal struggle with depression, the experience of witnessing the death of a relative, self-help techniques and prevention as well as the unmasking of stereotypes.
Curator of the exhibition, Laura Brokāne, writes:
“Art has the capacity to open up an associative language through which to gather the courage to discuss psychologically difficult experiences, also fostering understanding and empathy among the broader public. At the same time, in discussing questions related to mental health, it is essential to establish and maintain straightforward language. The tendency to aestheticise these questions frequently is the result of fear and repression, thus downplaying the seriousness of the subject. The exhibition is an attempt to maintain this delicate balance, similar to how many of us are trying to keep the balance between the daily routine and internal anxiety."
Considering the delicacy and complexity of the subject, the contemporary art exhibition "How I've Been Feeling Lately" and its accompanying programme will provide both visitors and artists with a safe meeting place inside the museum, in which to recognise and share difficult psychological experiences.
Artists
Anda Lāce, Līga Spunde, Reinis Hofmanis, Anna Salmane, Andris Kaļiņins, Krista Dzudzilo, Reinis Dzudzilo, Rasa Jansone, Ieva Vīksne, Zane Tuča, Sanita Tauriņa un Ernests Vilsons
Supported by
State Culture Capital Foundation and Riga City Council
Geopolitical tensions, climate anxiety, the isolation brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and increased use of digital technology are leaving a mark on society’s mental health. While questions of mental health are being discussed in public space with increasing frequency, prejudice and lack of understanding continue to provide fertile ground for the stigmatisation of this subject. By linking depression to a sense of shame and guilt, it continues to be a mostly undetected and untreated illness.
The difficulty of speaking openly about mental health problems is rooted in past traumas, the cultivated social stigmas, as well as the conditions of contemporary capitalism which require us to always be “in good shape” – productive, alert and open to new opportunities. These processes heighten social inequality and encourage the exclusion of marginalised voices. At the same time, advocates of neurodiversity call for the re-evaluation of what it means to be mentally healthy, refraining from judging people according to their usefulness and ability to fit in with the majority, but instead highlighting their unique worldview.
Art offers a multi-layered language through which to gather the courage to discuss mental issues and their prevention, while also opening up to enriching and healing personal histories. The artists in this exhibition deal with different aspects of mental health – a personal struggle with depression, the experience of witnessing the death of a loved one, self-help techniques and mental health prevention. The works also uncover stereotypes related to gender roles and positions of power, countering them with the potential of mindfulness, empathy and new forms of socialisation.