On April 4, 2025 at 5:00 p.m., the solo exhibition “Shop SPAZ” by artist Margrieta Griestiņa will be opened at the gallery of the Humanities and Arts Center of RTU Liepāja Academy (Liepāja, Kūrmājas prospekts 13, 2nd floor), starting the “Image Flow” cycle of contemporary art exhibitions organized by the association ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education and RTU Liepāja Academy.
In the visual language of Margrieta Griestiņa, childhood memories merge with imagination, her paintings incorporate images from video games, politics and pop culture, revealing the importance of visuality in the construction of everyday experience, and the imprints of fleeting screen experiences on the minds of their consumers. The author does not criticize either society or individual choices, accepting and playing with the codes of capitalism and mass culture, yet taking on the role of a producer and brand manager, not just an artist. ““Veikals SPAZ” is a store of the fashion and household goods brand GolfClayderman, where a cyber fox and a bohemian bear work. The first store branch was located in Africa, but since the contract with the beverage supplier “Monster” was terminated, the store had to settle in Madonna, where the brand’s subsidiary company MABOCA is also located. Due to popular demand the store is now moved closer to Western culture – to the windy city’s temple of education – RTU Liepāja Academy,” the artist describes the idea of the exhibition.
Curator Anna Priedola emphasises how needed it is to increase the diversity of visual expression and the accessibility of contemporary art in the regions. “Liepāja is still lacking the presence of contemporary art, and I am glad that “SPAZA Shop” will also be able to feed the hunger of Liepāja art students for current examples of contemporary art in their surroundings. Margrieta Griestiņa inspires me a lot not only with her creative work, but also organizes high-quality contemporary art and culture outside the center – in Madona.”
The exhibition is open during the working hours of the RTU Liepāja Academy (on weekdays from 8:00 to 19:00, on Saturdays from 8:00 to 16:00) from April 5 to April 25, and is available free of charge. Opening – 04.04.2025. at 17:00. The exhibition was implemented with the financial support of the Liepāja City and the State Cultural Capital Fund.