Untitled (No significance)
Paintings, 2012
The idea for the series was conceived during previous expeditions to explore the Latvian landscape. It turned out there were some interesting places. They had no significance. Or at least their significance could not be clearly defined. These locations could not be inspected up close. Then they changed. They disappeared. They were accessible only from a great distance. Viewable only from one hill to another. You would need an aircraft to closely examine the location that interested you. There was something impossible, unreachable about these places. They also could not be heard. (A.B.)
Downshifting? What has always been and still is a priority – it is sensible time management – factoring in a buffer time of 40%, avoiding any and all addictions, ignoring lean operation strategies, not using power tools in my work, doing everything myself as much as possible in my work.
Artist's Bio:
Arturs Bērziņš lives and works in Olaine. In an essay about his work he says: „What you see in your closest surroundings is what you should depict. Your own taste influences the selection of pictures. Likewise, the meaning of an object or place influences the way it is depicted. The aspects of the visible world with which I have the most affinity are tonality, geometry (space), reality (..) In my case, the main emotional stimulus comes from nature – the environment I live in. In turn, the main intellectual stimulus comes from human actions toward nature.” Arturs Bērziņš’ landscapes, natural ‘moments’, studies of culture (of the individual, of technology and of organization) are characteristically modest in size – both because they ‘offer a greater distance’ and because ‘we live at a time when natural resources are dwindling while the demand for them keeps growing. Under these circumstances there is no justification for expensive art. This is one of the reasons why my works are small and their costs are kept as low as possible. Many completed works are erased and their bases re-used. Works that have remained uncompleted for a long time are sawed up, and their surfaces are scraped and reused.’
Arturs Bērziņš has graduated from the Art Academy of Latvia. Solo exhibitions: “works of minds” at Tukums Art Museum and Olaine Museum of History and Art (2012); “works of sounds’ at Nabaklab exhibition hall (2011); ‘untitled (folk romanticism)’ at Riga Art Space, in Liepāja, Līvāni, Aizpute (2009); ‘outskirtism’ on the premises of SIA Ekodienests (2008) and others.Group exhibitions: ‘Is it that he does not seek the truth, but wants to influence?” (2012); ‘Itch’ (2007); ‘Candy Bomber’ (2008); ‘SURVIVAL KIT 3” (2011) and others. The artist received the Diena Annual Culture Award and was nominated for the Purvītis Prize for his exhibition „outskirtism”.