Museum
Exhibition and events
Participating artists: Inga Meldere, Jānis Filipovičs, Romans Korovins, Guntis Jasotis, Daiga Krūze, Laura Prikule, Eva Vēvere, Krists Pudzens, Ieva Veita, Una Meiberga&Daba (Mārtiņš Dāboliņš)
Curated by: Iliāna Veinberga
What have you learned from the changes in Latvia and worldwide in recent years?
Frankly speaking – nothing. I’ve been living all the time continuously reflecting on my behaviour, choices, which is why I don’t have any cardinal “revelations”; with the possible exception that I don’t have to feel awkward because I lead a responsible lifestyle when it comes to saving resources. In professional terms, of course, the lack of infrastructure and sensible distribution of resources in crisis conditions is acutely felt, but in this respect I can only pray for the integrity and professionalism of the people responsible.
What is the connection between your SURVIVAL KIT2 project and the festival theme?
The basis of the Museum project is not founded on a particular a concept, but rather an affect. Given the non-stop changes in politics, economics and social field since the restoration of independence, people in Latvia have been forced to lead their lives and social lives in a very creative way. In this, to some degree, chaotic and absurd situation it is impossible to talk about “strategies” in the systematic sense of this word. For that reason the proposal of our project is to simply recognize and identify as “normal” those practices which are continuously realised on a day-to-day basis, here and now. The attention being paid to the Latvian art world – to the relations between institutions and individuals within it – is conceptual.
Why haven’t you left yet?
In recent years, the possibilities to travel, study and collaborate in foreign countries, to embark on residences and business trips abroad, and to publish one’s works overseas et cetera have greatly increased. Therefore, there is no need for me to relocate to another country to improve my standard of living or in order to fulfil myself professionally. In Scandinavia whose orderly system I’ve enjoyed, I didn’t feel this – to some extent anarchic – creative potential that exists in Latvia. It is very likely that the reason why it is so challenging and “personal” for me to work in this country i that, as my homeland, Latvia is as familiar to me as the palm of my hand.
—Iliāna Veinberga, curator