Riga Photography Biennial 2022

Līga Spunde, ‘Still Life with Computer Mouse’, Installation, 2022

Riga Photography Biennial 2022
the essence of isolation
April 21, 2022 – July 10, 2022
http://www.rpbiennial.com

Riga Photography Biennial (RPB) is an international contemporary art event in Latvia, focusing on the analysis of visual culture and artistic representation. RPB covers issues ranging from cultural theory to current socio-political processes in the Baltics and the wider European region. From April 21 through July 10, Riga Photography Biennial 2022 will take place in the exhibition halls and urban environment. Main focus of this year’s events program is the state of isolation and its various manifestations and effects.

In eight international exhibitions and an extensive program of educational events, biennial’s artists and curators invite viewers to explore the phenomenon of isolation from different angles and to re-learn reading information contained in an image. ‘Over the last two years, living in isolation has become our new reality. In addition to the pandemic, it is also facilitated by the rapid development of technology – the state of isolation allows one to break away from everything and everywhere, creating a circle of friends and imaginative characters in a self-created environment. What does the state of isolation do to us, or vice versa – perhaps offer?’ Inga Brūvere, the director and one of the curators of the Riga Photography Biennial explains the thematic topicality. ‘Meanwhile, with the development of technology, photography as an artistic medium has entered a new phase, and the understanding of photography – the image – has changed. We need to re-learn how to read the information contained in an image,’ she adds, explaining the biennial’s focus on development of image coding.

The central exhibition of the RPB 2022 ‘Screen Age III: Still Life’ in the exhibition hall ‘Riga Art Space’ continues a series from 2018 that poses existentially pressing questions through observing the way technology is slowly changing people today. Opening on 22nd April and continuing through until 12th June, the group exhibition curated by Inga Brūvere (LV) and Marie Sjøvold (NO) allows for the fact that every genre of photography functions as a routine element of digital culture as well as a part of an incessant stream of data. Focusing on the interpretation of still life in the digital age, the exhibition will showcase works of Marianne Bjørnmyr (NO), Johan Rosenmunthe (DK), Sara Skorgan Teigen (NO), Sigrid Viir (EE) and Cloe Jancis (EE), Charles Richardson (UK), Santa France (LV), Nico Krijno (ZA), Līga Spunde (LV), Krišs Salmanis (LV), Vilma Pimenoff (FI) and ask whether or not still life compositions are outdated. If not, what are they saying today?

In parallel, ‘Riga Art Space’ Intro hall will host a group show curated by Paulius Petraitis (LT) – with Katja Mater (NL) and Erin O’Keefe (US). ‘Measured Perspectives’ will explore the ambivalence of spatial perception and underline the potential of a process-based approach in the context of today’s increasingly fast-paced and result-oriented work culture. The show will be available until 12^th June giving the gallery space to  ‘ЛАВ = LOVE’, curated by Inga Brūvere and opening on 17^th June. The exhibition will offer a look into three private photo collections owned by Andrejs Strokins, Irēna Bužinska, and the Bolderājas Grupa (LV) association respectively. Seen from today’s perspective, the images from their collections can be viewed as multi-layered material that is open to interpretation in the construction of a new cultural memory.

Other exhibition openings are expected from the end of April and throughout May and June. ‘Utopias’, curated by Auguste Petre (LV) will exhibit works by artists such as Annemarija Gulbe (LV), Aksel Haagensen (EE), Hele (LV), Madara Kvēpa (LV) and Zanda Puče (LV). ‘The Photo Album – A Subjective Narrative’ at the Latvian Museum of Photography will expose private photo albums made by Latvian photographers of the first half of the 20^th century. Gallery ‘Look!’ will host a solo exhibition of Latvian photographer Reinis Lismanis, and ‘ISSP gallery’ is to explore the exterior side of photography with artist Paulius Petraitis (LT) in his solo exhibition made in cooperation with Sam Margevicius (US), and Gailė Griciūtė (LT). Kristīne Krauze-Slucka (LV) is to exhibit her works in the Riga public transport stops through 6th to 19th June encouraging city residents and guests to rethink their image literacy and explore the impact of the digital environment. The exhibition is curated by Anete Skuja (LV).

The international conference of the Riga Photography Biennial 2022 will take place on April 30. Expanding the main theme of the biennial program, European photography experts will look at the phenomenon of photobooks in the 21st century and the state of their research in Eastern Europe. Musings on the state of such scholarship on the topic are led by reflections on the phenomenon of the photobook, which has been growing and flourishing for a quarter of a century now. The conference is curated by Adam Mazur (PL) and will host internationally renown photography experts such as Jan Babnik (SI), Indrek Grigor (EE/LV), Gábor Arion Kudász (HU), Moritz Neumüller (AT), Kateryna Radchenko (UA), Vilma Samulionyte (LT), Antonina Stebur (BY) and Pavel Vančát (CZ).

The curriculum complementing exhibitions will seek to facilitate a more inclusive society by analyzing the nature of isolation and looking for ways to overcome it. The biennial will host extensive discussions and talks and lectures on the topics covered, meetings and talks with artists as well as workshops for kids and youth audiences.

In addition, a special edition – a collection of articles by international authors, will further explore the issues discussed at the biennial’s events. It will be available for to purchase at the exhibition and event venues all through the Riga Photography Biennial’s 2022 ongoings.