Long Live VEF!
The VEF creative quarter, by its very nature, as well as in its daily life, was a utopian environment in the territory of Riga. During the event, visitors had the opportunity to take a look inside the studios located in the VEF quarter, as well as participate in specially prepared activities – "Psaiho.lv" scare trail, skateboarding school, Aija Bley Portrait Studio, "Luste" silkscreen workshop, opening of the miniatures exhibition "5CM" at Gallery "Ziema" and others.
Survival Kit for a Harmonious Person
Within the series of events organised by I-deja, visitors had the opportunity to look for utopia of joy and harmony through lectures, seminars, masterclasses and performances.
- Lecture and discussion on the subject of "Survival Kit for a Harmonious Person"
- Practical seminar "Factory of Happy People"
- Evening of performances "Utopia Called Harmony"
- Practical seminar "The Harmonious Me"
- Practical seminar "Rhythms of Nature in the City"
- Practical guest masterclass "Can it be Easier".
Red River Pearls
This project, organised by the Sarkandaugava Association, included an artists residency from August 17 to August 23, 2014, during which an experimental, multi-media performance was created. The premiere took place on September 6 in the Sarkandaugava Park alongside the creation of an audiovisual installation dedicated to Aivars Neibarts and various creative activities throughout the day.
"Insane? No, easy!"
Reflecting on Miera Street’s basic slogan – "Peace is delusory!" – under the auspices of the contemporary art festival Survival Kit 2014, the seemingly impossible was attempted – to create a model of a bicycle path along a section of Miera Street. The purpose of the activity was to create a bicycle path that would, for one day, bring to life the utopian idea of a friendly co-existence between cyclists, motorists and local cafes.
The Future of Water
A series of creative activities and public events offered a diverse range of visions about the future of water in a utopian city, aiming to determine the innovations that might help find new sources of water and preserve the existing ones. RIXC organised a series of events: The Simfoniettta Riga quartet programme "Water Utopia" at the Spīķeri concert hall focused on the metaphysical qualities of water, throughout the night performing music to "charge" it. The Contemporary Art Centre KIM? approached the theme of water conceptually and metaphorically by turning the building into a ship– a conceptual contemporary art base.
"What to do with fantasy?"
The Kalnciema Quarter programme of events was specifically aimed at investigating the ideals of society, turning to every individual’s personal self-search. Instead of presenting a complete utopian world, visitors were invited to think, fantasize, feel, create and dream up a personalised, individual ontology of a utopian place.
- Jēkabs Nīmanis’ creative workshop "Observe, Listen, Get Involved"
- Children’s discussion moderated by Krista Burāne
- Practical activity by Varis Piņķis – an attempt to ascertain if theatre is utopia.
- Varis Piņķis’ chamber performance "Brothers and Sisters"
- Text workshop by Artūrs Punte