12 Sep 2009

Survival Kit at The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art

SURVIVAL KIT
September 12- 19, 2009
Riga, Empty shops on the main shopping streets, former VEF factory, old part of city

„Survival Kit' is an art project, in whose framework artists are asked to reflect upon a variety of survival strategies in the modern world. Currently, this theme is actively preoccupying the minds of the global community and it has also become especially topical in Latvia. The present situation is characterised by the fiasco of liberal capitalism, the collapse of the economy, threats to the ecology and escalation of regional conflicts. Waking up from a perpetually cultivated euphoria causes re-evaluation of habitual system of values and reconsider „the sense of life'. The world is experiencing huge changes, but it is not clear whether they are for better or worse.

The absence of either clear vision or a prognosis for the future increases uncertainty and paralysis. So what is the scenario for future developments? There are various options available; hopelessness and total crisis, or creative approaches and the opportunity, through experimentation, to give the present situation a new and positive quality.
What can artists do in this situation? Develop adventurous experiments and iniciate creative explosions to use advantage of the present situation. If there isn't an appropriate moment for heroic narratives and representative events they could focus on exploration of everyday poetics, marginal footnotes, spontaneous manifestations and interventions. With minimal resources they could achieve surprising results by implementing DIY praxis, arte pover, ready made resources, performance and other activities, which will provide the basis for a collective experience. The artists are invited to contribute unusual strategies, innovative suggestions or unusual recipes for the survival kit that would help us to cope with the present situation.

The artists are invited to focus on the changes in the city's environment, to meet in creative ghettos, where the artistic spirit is still alive. To occupy the empty shop spaces and fill the void, created by the economic crisis, with creative energy. They should act as mobile units which could actively respond to changes in the situation or, the exact opposite; they could create a safe haven, in which to weather the hard times. Perhaps it is just the right time to stop, escape from „workaholism', find time to reflect and realise that the economy must become ecologically sound, food must be healthy, industry must be efficient and effective, and politics must be transparent and responsive to the community.
Exhibition will be opened on September 12, 2009 in Riga as one of the main events within Riga White Nights programme.

Participating Latvian and foreign artists:

DiÄ?na Adamaite,Vladimir Arkhipov (RU), Rael Artel (EST), Asterisk (EE,NL), (Linda Blanka, Janis Blanks, MÄ?rtiņš Blanks, Aija Bley, Harijs Brants, Patricija Brekte, Eriks Bozis, Kristians Brekte, Bolderaja group, Izolde Cesniece, Evelina Deicmane, Roberts Diners, Lillija Dinere, Henrik Duncker (FI), Andris Eglitis, Marius Engh (NO), Ieva Epnere, Kristaps Epners, Flera Fedjukova, MiÄ·elis FiÅ¡ers, Flash Institut/Mirjam Wirz (CH/ LT), Goldin+Senneby (SE),Martiņš Grauds, Ivars Gravlejs, Kristaps Grundsteins, Keta Gutmane, Timothy Hall (UK), Anna Heinrihsone, Minna Hint (EE), Egija Inzule(CH/LV), Voldemars Johansons, Raids Kalnins, Vidaga Karpenko, Kristine Keire, Kate Krolle, Daiga Kruze, Linards Kulless, Galka Kulio, Anda Lace, Liga Laurenovica, Urs Lehni (CH),Karlis Lesins, Kaspars Lielgalvis, Lita Liepa, Elina Lihaceva, Kristjan Mändmaa (EST), Eva Lilienfelde-Meldere, Baltic Comics Magazine KUÅ !, Mare un Rols, Inga Meldere, Anete Melece, Boris Mitic (SRB), Theo Mercier (FR), Agata Muze, Katrina Neiburga, text group Orbita, Maija Pale (FI), Ingrida Picukane, Valtteri Puyhonen (FI), Elina Poikane, Laura Prikule, Ilze Raudiņa, «Rijada», Kriss Salmanis, Katrina Å auÅ¡kina, Ruedi Schorno (CH), interdisciplinary arts group SERDE, Ineta Sipunova, Indrek Sirkel (EST/NL), SERDE, SKART (SRB), Rasa Å ulca, Lex Trüb (CH), Alexander Vaindorf (SE), Ilze Vanaga, Eizens Valpeters, Solveiga Vasiļjeva, Ieva Veita, Eva Vevere, Axel John Wieder (DE), Maja Wismer (CH), design group 'ZAFTE' (Inara Gauja/ Ingrida Zabere), Margita Zalite, Kristaps Zariņš, Alexis Zavialo_ (CH), Kriss Zilgalvis, . Visvaldis Ziediņš