How To Become An Millionaire Anarchist In An Hour And A Half (the length of the drive from Rīga to Tukums) + Don’t Miss The Train
Installations at Survival Kit 5, as well as in the “Rīga-Tukums” train, 2013
In late autumn 1905, the first large-scale revolutionary battles in Latvia took place in Tukums. Such a large battle between revolutionaries and regiments of the Tsar’s army had never taken place anywhere in the Russian Empire up until then, of which Latvia was then a part. Some of the fighters arrived in Tukums on the train from Rīga and after their defeat, also abandoned the city by train. It is difficult to overestimate the significance of this event. The beginning – a revolution in a small town, but later these Latvian anarchists were already organizing a revolution on a world- wide scale (the bank robberies in Helsinki, the street battles in London (the Sidney Street Siege), activities in Paris etc.). What motivated these relatively well situated and educated young people at that time not to get off the train at the decadent Rīga Jūrmala to go for an idle stroll along the promenade or beach, but rather to head for Tukums to take part in armed street battles? Were they socio-economic conditions? Perhaps the story is about the excesses of youth and exciting searches for justice and equality? Survival Kit 5 provides an opportunity for a casual, unprepared citizen to get on the revolutionary train, to find out about the legendary event’s courageous participants and to become an anarchist too and to choose – from which station the next revolution should be organized.
(V.P.)
Artists' Bio:
Vilnis Putrāms
Lives in Latvia and Germany. Graduated from the Latvian Academy of Art and has participated in exhibitions since 1986. Was a participant in the LPSR-Z group of artists until 1994. Has collaborated with the “Bolderājas grupa” for a number of years. Area of activity: graphics, objects, installations, as well as design. Has recently focussed on art activities in the city environment and interiors outside of exhibition halls (wall painting and street art) – with the goal of addressing the casual, unprepared viewer in an unfamiliar environment, provoking and promoting collaboration and a change in views on customary things and situations. Is particularly attracted to history, searches for identity, context, the environment, the place one originated, as well as elements which create a feeling of belonging.
Genādijs Filipenko
A member of the “Bolderāja Group”. Creates sound design, video, as well as animation and comics.