The year 2019 at Daugavpils Mark Rothko Art Centre has been abundant and complex, bright and unique. The same attributes can be applied to the November-January exhibition season. The closing exhibition block of 2019 features eight projects tied together by the common thread of cooperation, bonding and friendship.
Sir Terry Frost (UK) was friends with Mark Rothko, their families paid countless visits to each other both in Britain and the States. By established tradition, one of each season’s exhibition projects is closely linked to Rothko’s work or influence, so inclusion of Sir Terry Frost’s exhibition is no accident. It reaffirms the unity of art and highlights the individual style of this brilliant British artist.
The proverbial shoulder, mutual support and careful tending of creative spirit are the cornerstones of a strong family of Latvian artists, the Kurzemnieki, which includes Vineta, Agnese, Andra and Gatis. Their work is presented in a joint project, “Synergy”. Although the artists are involved with different media, they are united through familial ties, which enable each of them to develop their unique style and also work together towards a shared goal and result.
The latest exhibition from the Alexander Vassilyev Collection, already a third such project at the Rothko Centre, reaffirms a long-lasting friendship. The new exhibition, “Art Nouveau”, brings us back to the dawn of the 20th century, highlighting the epoch’s social trends and developments in public thought through gowns and accessories. Curtesy of Rīga Art Nouveau Museum and Daugavpils Local History and Art Museum, the exhibition is completed with vintage furniture and interior objects.
Making friends with nature and its life-sustaining forms isn’t alien to proponent of naïve art in Latvian art space, Philippe Shalayev. His work is offered in the project “Animalism”. The artist celebrates variety. In his paintings, the sweet and shining eyes of predators are an allegory of the wealth and depth of human feelings and diversity of people in terms of perception, behaviour and attitude.
Firm friendship with clay shines through the exhibition “Sense of Clay” by the brilliant Latgalian potter, Evalds Vasilevskis, revealing his mastery and giving him pride of place on the great shelf of outstanding ceramic art. A striking counterpoint to his style is the decorative, sculptural and playful exhibition of ceramic artist Violeta Jātniece, presented with the title “Yesterday. Two Days Ago. Today”.
An exceptional example of collaboration, bonding and friendship is the pet project of artist Valda Podkalne, “Collections of Ideas. 1993-2018”. It unites several generations of artists and bridges different media, allowing creators to perceive connections and opportunities for cooperation through working with or among ceramic materials. This project was premiered at Rīga Porcelain Museum and now appears with new brilliancy at the Rothko Centre in a fresh, adapted form.
Rasa Jansone, a painter with an artist’s soul, finds ways to connect with the unfindable, working with oft-forgotten ancient themes and highlighting some burning issues of today, which may appear spoiled or unspoiled depending on perspective. In her exhibition project, “Right Hand”, Rasa Jansone offers several bodies of work created in recent years.
The November exhibition season with eight new, significant and diverse exhibition projects is on display until 19 January 2020.
At 4 p.m. through 5 p.m. on 15 November, during the season’s opening ceremony, visitors can enjoy the new exhibitions free of charge.
