[spectre] Unique newspaper published in Latvia - art exhibition about the EU

[geert lovink]

From: "Martins Vanags" <martins at kpp.lv>

Unique newspaper published in Latvia - art exhibition about the EU

18 September 2003

Latvia's largest daily newspaper "Diena" (The Day) has published a
supplement "The People's Vote" or in plain English "Referendum". The
supplement consists of works by 14 contemporary artists and philosophers
on the subject of the September 20 referendum on Latvia's accession to
the European Union.

What makes it unique is that the published works are not reproductions
or photographs, but they have been specifically created for the medium –
the newspaper. A newspaper has become an exhibition space. The print run
was 75 000, which, for a country of only about 2.5 million people, is a
considerable feat.

The artists span four generations; from the well-known veteran stage
designer and artist Ilmârs Blumbergs to the 23 year old Evelîna
Deièmane. Also represented id the the middle generation that was active
in the great changes in Latvian art at the end of the 1980s and the
beginning of the 90s, when Latvia regained its independence after 50
years of occupation by the USSR.

All these artists have gained considerable international recognition;
for example, Ilmârs Blumbergs has taken part in the Vennice Biennale and
this year, he was awarded the Silver Medal at the Prague Sculpture
Quadrenniale. Lîga Marcinkevièa and Çriks Boþis have taken part in the
European "Manifesta" biennale. Kristaps Ìelzis was at Ars '95 in
Helsinki and many other Nordic projects. As part of the F5 group, Ieva
Rubeze and Lîga Marcinkevièa represented Latvia at the 25th Sao Paulo
biennale and in 1994, Oïegs Tillbergs was awarded the prestigious Nordic
art prize "Ars Fennica".

The exhibition was curated by Helçna Demakova and published by the
non-profit organisation Cultural Pilot Projects. The project was
supported by the newspaper "Diena" and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

"The People's Vote" can also be viewed at:
http://www.kpp.lv/en/projects.php

Further information:

Mârtiòð Vanags, Cultural Pilot Projects
+ 371 9259416
kpp at kpp.lv