Urban Oasis
Installation, 2012
Living in Riga’s urban space, I feel the city has subjected me to its hasty and incessant rhythm. Sometimes it seems that the city’s rhythm materialises and pours down on me like a downpour. It can make me weak and exhausted. In such moments I would like to find a place to hide. I have created my oasis under an umbrella attached to a wall. This place has gathered moss over time, obviously marking its territory. The function and symbols of rain are changed – urban space has replaced raindrops. Each viewer will have a chance to stay in my secret place and feel the magic of the urban oasis. Inspecting the surroundings, it will be possible to notice another object. It looks like a man who had literally become part of urban life. Moss has already covered his legs and is spreading over the walls. Moss is the messenger of forgotten nature. The leg motif is a reference to “Leg”, the work of American artist Robert Gober. With these activities, I invite people to consider how to make their environment more harmonious and balanced.
Downshifting? It is not easy for me to slow down, as I am very impulsive. There are moments when everything is boiling around me, while some days and weeks are totally idle. Probably everything has to continue with its ups and downs. It is much more attractive to observe yourself as you attempt to achieve your goals, despite various obstacles.
Artist's Bio:
Madara Lesīte continues her studies in the Department of Visual Communication at the Art Academy of Latvia. Lesīte spent one semester at Berlin’s Hochschule fur Technik und Wirtschaft. Lesīte has taken part in exhibitions since 2006. Her works have been shown in ”TIKKO BŪS” (2011), ”LAIKA NAV” (2011), “Rudens, Recycle Process” (Laimīgās mākslas muzejs) , ”Pārmija” (Riga Art Space) and others.