Three Art Routes for Christmas: Riga Residents Are Invited to Seek Strength in Art 0 15

High Art Begins with Kittens

During the holidays, this route has been the most beloved for almost a quarter of a century, trodden by thousands of visitors! The large hall of the Latvian Academy of Arts (Riga, Kalpaka Boulevard, 13) has opened the JAUNmarka for the 23rd time — an exhibition and sale of works by students studying at this higher educational institution. This year's theme is "Art as a Source of Strength," dedicated to the inspiring and powerful energy of art. More than three hundred students and about nine thousand works are presented.

We see paintings, graphics, textiles, drawings, sculpture, and much more. And as noted by the Vice-Rector for Administrative and Creative Affairs of the Latvian Academy of Arts, artist Andris Vitolins, this year there are fashionable trends in the presence of themes from the computer world, games, technologies, and AI (artificial intelligence). He calls these new challenges and experiments.

However, according to our observations, people still gravitate towards classics, purchasing souvenirs in the form of kittens, rabbits, birds, as well as items with practical value – plates, mugs, as well as outfits from beginning students of the fashion design department.

For most participants, this is one of the first appearances of their creativity to the public and an opportunity to showcase themselves. Open until January 4 of the following year from 11:00 to 20:00. Closed on holidays (December 24 and 31, as well as January 1).

400 Spoons After COVID

Meanwhile, at Zuzeum (Lachplesha Street, 101), winter festivities are taking place with artist Oto Holger Ozolins. A foam snowman is the central symbol of the holiday!

Christmas at Zuzeum.

On the first floor of Zuzeum, a collection of photographs of snowmen from Oto's archive is presented, which he took during his trip beyond the Arctic Circle, as well as photos sent by visitors to the temple of arts created by collector Janis Zuzans. You are welcomed here – at the entrance, changing messages on the electronic board greet you in different languages. You won't believe it, even in Russian: "Welcome!" Almost like at the pier of a foreign port in the immortal "Diamond Arm." Zuzeum invites you to participate in snowman sculpting in the museum's Sculpture Garden. You will be provided with everything necessary (except for snow).

By the way, 28-year-old Oto is a rather curious artist who explores themes of personal growth and fights against idleness. During the quarantine, for 400 consecutive days, he carved one wooden spoon each day, resulting in his first solo exhibition. This disciplined, habit-forming approach inspired the artist for further attempts, including building a boat, quitting smoking, running a marathon, and a triathlon. In 2024, he graduated from the Latvian Academy of Arts with a master's degree in sculpture and is currently studying in a doctoral program.

Here, you can also find books, art publications, and original souvenirs. Visitors have the opportunity to send postcards to friends and family – a mailbox will be set up in the museum, along with festive stamps. Additionally, until December 28, you can visit two main exhibitions here: "The Whole World is Bauhaus" and "Spaceship Earth."

"Escape from Reality"

Finally, the third event – recently, the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design (Skarnu Street, 10) opened the exhibition "Shelter for the Unicorn," dedicated to the centenary of the birth of Latvian textile artist Georgs Barkans. This is also a great reason to visit Old Riga and its oldest stone building, where the museum is located (the architectural monument has a seven-hundred-year history!). Accordingly, the Christmas spirit is in the beautifully decorated narrow streets of Riga.

Children's activities at the decorative museum.

Georgs Barkans (1925–2010) was one of the most influential figures during the heyday of Latvian textile art in the second half of the 20th century. Starting in the 1960s, textile art in Latvia freed itself from the status of applied art, becoming modern, original, and experimental. Georgs' path to textile art was unusual. Growing up in the family of an officer and a librarian, he studied at the construction faculty of the Riga State Technical School. In 1944, he was briefly drafted for labor service. After the war, Barkans entered the architecture faculty of the Latvian State University (1945–1951). Simultaneously, along with several classmates, he studied painting at the Latvian Academy of Arts (1946–1949), but remained in architecture.

He studied in the design workshop of Professor Ernests Stalbergs (by the way, Stalbergs rebuilt a significant part of the buildings in the center of Riga, he co-authored the Freedom Monument with Karlis Zale and, it should be noted, is the author of the architectural and compositional solution of the Lenin monument in Riga, which was demolished in 1991).

The exhibition is accompanied by an extensive program of events and educational programs. On December 19 at 16:00, art lovers are invited to a "Conversation in the Museum" with curator Vilnis Veiss. On December 20 from 12:00 to 16:00, in honor of the winter solstice, the museum invites everyone to enjoy the festive atmosphere at the event "In Search of the Unicorn," dedicated to Family Day. On January 21 at 18:00, the event "Georgs Barkans – Unicorn" will take place, followed by "Morning for the Elderly" with memories of the artist on January 27 at 12:00. On February 4 at 18:00, a discussion on the topic "Escape from Reality as a Creative Strategy in Latvian Soviet Culture" will be held under the guidance of curator Vilnis Veiss. Throughout the exhibition, creative workshops for children and adults will also be conducted.