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20/02/2008 | Architecture | Latvia

Process - Contemporary Architecture in Latvia

Posted by Vilhelms Ozolins

The Latvian National Museum of Art Exhibition Hall Arsenāls 08.02. – 16.03.2008 Process. Contemporary Architecture in Latvia is the first exhibition to study the process of contemporary architecture in Latvia involving work of both, local and foreign, architects. Moreover, this is the first architecture exhibition at the Latvian National Museum of Art. Featuring over 300 objects including architectural drawings, models and photographs of about a hundred built and un-built projects, the exhibition explores mostly discussed territories of Latvian architecture today. Work of young and established Latvian practices, outcome of local and international competitions, development of Riga city, new country houses and internationalisation are five themes that explain grounds of good architecture making. An important aspect of architecture is the development and direction of ideas. Different viewpoints, influences and subjective concepts come together and sometimes overlap. This is a process in which there are countless questions, and that makes it possible to reduce the idea to its essence. An architectural design never stops. It freezes at some point and takes on concrete shape, but after awhile the conversation continues and the idea develops even further. Many architectural designs never turn into buildings, and there are a few buildings in any geographic, social or economic situation which offer architecture with added value. It this context the activities of the architect become an intriguing process for the public and for architects themselves. The exhibition has five thematic areas focused on what promotes fine architecture. They indicate events that have created discussions among architects and the public at large, and trends of style and aesthetics that have been observed during the relevant period of time. THE PROCESS OF LATVIAN ARCHITECTURAL OFFICES One way of discovering the architectural process in Latvia is to allow architects themselves to talk about it. The exhibition in the first hall of Arsenāls shows the creative aspects of architecture making at 20 local offices. There will be models, sketches, drawings, photographs, renderings, computer graphics and other objects on the display. Aspects of architectural work can be seen in finished projects and in ideas that have remained in the archives. Most of the exhibited projects reflect the very latest work of Latvian architects. Participants: AB3D, Arhis, Arhitektonika, BrÄ«niÅ¡Ä·Ä«go projektu birojs, Depo projekts, HUMA arhitektu studija, INDIA, J.Pogas birojs, Jaunromāns un Ä€bele, KUBS, MADE arhitekti, MARK, Modus Mood, MG arhitekti, NRJA, Sarma un Norde, SINTIJA VAIVADE_ARHITEKTE, SZK un partneri, UÄ£is Å Ä“nbergs, arhitekts, Zaigas Gailes birojs. INTERNATIONALISATION Another of the five thematic areas in the exhibition focuses on internationalisation, which is of key importance in contemporary architecture. Liene Jākobsone and Manten Devriendt have conducted the study offering insight of foreign architectural offices doing work in Latvia. Among them are globally known architectural brands, as well as new stars in the field and specialists who are not as well known as others. They have participated in international competitions and workshops, and worked with partners in Latvia expanding boundaries of the local architectural process. Participants: OMA (Netherlands), Inside Outside (Netherlands), Dorell Ghotmeh Tane (France), von Gerkan, Marg und Partner (Germany), 51N4E (Belgium), Bollinger + Grohmann (Germany), JKMM (Finland), schools of architecture from Düsseldorf and Brussels, etc. BARNS The exhibition display entitled Barns discovers a local trend that has become a representative of collective style. A typical building with a ridged roof is an interesting object for study today, because it offers an easy reference to Latvia’s countryside and small towns, and allows to experiment with the self-sufficient and simple form. Participants: Andris Kronbergs (Arhis), ErvÄ«ns Krauklis (Depo projekts), Visvaldis Sarma (Sarma un Norde), Brigita Bula, Andra Å ulca. CITY The development of the city of Riga is a subject of endless discussion, because good architecture can only emerge in a well organised city. The City offers a look at the conceptual development of the Left Bank of the Daugava River that has been made under the leadership of the Riga city architect and his office. The concept was developed by a group of urban planners, as well as architects from the architectural offices Arhis, SÄ«lis, Zābers un Kļava and Venta Didrihsona arhitektÅ«ras studija. The central object of the exposition will be an impressive model of the whole Left Bank area. COMPETITIONS Architectural competitions are the most democratic way of finding the best possible ideas. Competitions allow stars and their younger colleagues to work and compete side by side with one another. The quality of the idea is evaluated with no consideration of the architect’s age, nationality, experience or lack thereof. The Competitions part shows 22 design proposals which have recently been selected on a competitive basis and will be pursued further in the near future. These include cultural and educational buildings, proposals on the development of new territories, as well as contemporary architecture in the historical city centre of Riga. Participants: Arteks, SAALS, INDIA, MADE arhitekti, HUMA, SZK un partneri, J.Pogas birojs, Ivars, Austris and MatÄ«ss MailÄ«Å¡i, Giencke & Company (Austria), Behnisch Architekten (Germany), franzenkarpova arhitekti, Fletcher Priest Architects (UK), architect UÄ£is Å Ä“nbergs, Jaunromāns un Ä€bele, OPEN AD, and others. Exhibition is organised by the Architecture Promotion Fund Exhibition curator: Ieva ZÄ«bārte, architect, journalist GSM: (+371) 29 197865, E: ieva.zibarte@gmail.com Team, co-curators: PÄ“teris Bajārs, Mantens DevrÄ«nds, Linda KrÅ«miņa, Liene Jākobsone, Andra Å ulca, Vents VÄ«nbergs Exhibition design: Ieva ZÄ«bārte, Linda KrÅ«miņa, Mantens DevrÄ«nds, Liene Jākobsone in collaboration with H2E (IngÅ«na Elere, Holgers Elers, Tatyana Raichinets) ______________________________ The Latvian National Museum of Art 10a K.Valdemara Street Riga LV-1010, Latvia Phone: (+371) 67 325051 Fax: (+371) 67 357408 E-mail: lnmm@lnmm.lv www.vmm.lv

Last Updated ( 20/02/2008 )