Exhibition “Art Extends Lives” in Riga

An audiovisual exhibition “Art Extends Lives”, created with the support of the European Union program “Creative Europe”, Liepāja University, the State Culture Capital Foundation and the Liepāja Culture Board, will be opened in Riga, Sporta 2 kvartāls from September 15 to 21 (from 12PM to 17PM, September 19th, 20th, 21st from 12PM until 21PM).

The opening events of the exhibition will take place on September 15 at 17.00. The opening will be an opportunity to get involved in an interactive performance by the artist Ieva Vīksne, the sound of which will be determined by the activity of the artist’s brain. Visitors will also have the opportunity to influence the performance by joining the artist’s movements. You will also be able to listen to Robert Dinter’s performance, created in collaboration with video artist Anna Meldrāja.

The exhibition is part of the DIVI 9 project activities. Within the framework of the project, more than 30 artists have joined together to to draw public attention to mental health and addiction issues.

The idea of the exhibition started two years ago, when the curator and producer Paula Vītola started to curate works that could offer the viewer new experiences. The exhibition was offered to the public for the first time at the end of 2020 in Liepaja. The exhibition is also available online: https://gara.aste.gallery/

Our understanding of the world comes from external impulses that the brain receives as an electrical signal. In order to prolong their lives, people need to stimulate their brains on a daily basis with new experiences, using all the senses available to us.

The modern way of life requires us to live a fast paced and long life, that is also short, from the perspective of perception. Artists are trying to change this way of life. Art allows for new experiences and the artist is the person who creates and seeks these new experiences. Art provides an opportunity to experiment and manipulate space, the environment and perception. The artist often also shapes his life as an experiment, constantly looking for new ways to live, see, think.

The exhibition “Art Extends Lives” is created as a place to feel time differently. Artworks that you can spend time with and gain new experiences. Artworks in which we reflect on our way of life, perception, state of mind, relations with the modern world, environment. Research of different processes, new realities and alternative visions of life.

Exhibition artists: Krista Dintere, Ivo Tauriņš, Andrejs Poikāns, Diana Lelis, Maija Demitere, Rogier JupijnPaula Vītola, Anna Priedola, Marta Mēness, Kaspars Jaudzems, Anna Meldrāja, Fricis Kalvelis.

Curated by: Paula Vītola

The exhibition is produced by the foundation ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education.

The central event of the project DIVI 9 is a multimedia show “This Love Is Not For Sale”. The show will take place on September 15, 16, 17, and 18 right there, in the Sports 2 quarter. More about the show: https://projektsdivi9.lv/.

Visitors to the exhibition do not need a valid COVID-19 certificate, visitors are asked wear masks and observe physical distancing.

Full programme:

Thursday, September 16, 2021

12.00 – 18.00 the exhibition is open
18.00 – 19.00 exhibition for visitors of the show (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
19.00 – 20.30 performance (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
20.30 – 22.00 the exhibition is open to everyone (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)

Friday, September 17, 2021

12.00 – 17.00 the exhibition is open
17.00 – 18.00 exhibition for visitors of the show (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
18.00 – 19.30 performance (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
19.30 Performance event – Ieva Vīksne, Roberts Dinters, Plato Buravickis, Toms Auniņš (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)

Saturday, September 18th, 2021

12.00 – 17.00 the exhibition is open
17.00 – 18.00 exhibition for visitors of the show (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
18.00 – 19.30 performance (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)
19.30 Electronic music performances (available only for visitors with a COVID-19 certificate)

Sunday, September 19th, 2021

12.00 – 21.00 the exhibition is open

Monday, September 20th, 2021

12.00 – 21.00 the exhibition is open

Tuesday, September 21st, 2021

12.00 – 21.00 the exhibition is open