Elderly Days
Installation, 2011
Every city or town has its own image; no matter whether intentionally or unintentionally developed – if the image is positive and attractive, it suits everyone. These images differ greatly, for instance: Ventspils – A city with a promising future!; Berlin - Be Berlin; Vienna - Wien ist voll dabei; Stockholm- Beauty on Water; What about Riga? Live Riga? May be... But then again, the Eurostat projection states that in 2060 there will be 35,7% residents aged 65+ in Latvia. We cannot light-heartedly disregard such prognoses. The author believes that we not only have to understand the situation but also have to draft several possible scenarios. The project “Vecumdienas/ Elderly days” offers one such scenario. The project suggests change to the city structure and functions as well as in the attitudes towards old age. The proposed changes are in accordance with the new concept of the city which can be expressed in just a couple of words - Riga, a city in which to grow old! There is nothing unpleasant in this idea. Quite the contrary – concept opens up opportunities to focus on an aspect significant for the whole Europe. We can only benefit from internationally attracting people and encouraging them to live their old days in Riga! Elderly days are like a cake everyone deserves after a long working life! (K.G.)
Artist's Bio:
A theologian and a designer. His projects are interdisciplinary and often offer solutions based on research; the works are often on the verge of making commentaries and practical propositions. His project “Vecumdienas”/ “Old days” is a solution-commentary regarding aging society and city development problems; whereas „Saldūdens projekts”/ “Fresh-water project” offers a systematic approach-commentary regarding disproportionate access to water resources and the related migration and economic problems. Grundšteins has worked also as a graphic and product designer, created a series of souvenirs together with B. Zelča, as well as completed practical training in Amsterdam.