At Riga Porcelain Museum from 13 October till 11 December, 2016
The second half of 1980s and beginning of 1990s was a period of radical changes in Latvia – they were felt in all areas of life, including art and porcelain industry. From 13 October till 11 December, 2016 the exhibition “Parallel Currents. Porcelain Art and Design in Latvia in 1980s-90s” will take place at Riga Porcelain Museum. It will record the processes taking place in the porcelain art and manufacturing in the last phase of the Soviet Union existence and its development after the restoration of independence at the beginning of 1990s.
In 1980s Riga Porcelain Factory was the third biggest porcelain manufacturer in the Soviet Union – it delivered its produce to all Soviet republics and member states of the bloc. In 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union it was no longer possible to maintain the manufacturing at the previous scale. The manufacturing of porcelain gradually extinguished and individual and artistic activities came into the foreground as well as the first intensive international contacts. The exhibition outlines several directions that characterize the processes that took place during the period – they have been grouped according to the intensity of attachment to the factory. The range varies as it includes both the design of mass consumer goods which took place at the factory up to the last day of its existence as well as the range of samples offered for manufacturing, but not approved or not manufactured due to the transformations. There are also individual pieces created with the factory appliances, however in no relation to the factory product range, and even private artistic produce created locally and abroad.
The exhibition records the diverse practices that glowed in the ceramic art already at the end of 1980s but could find their expression in the unfavourable economic conditions of 1990s. Similarly, the names of individual authors will be noted who continued their work through the complicated period and outlined the aesthetics of the porcelain art of the respective period.
The represented authors are: Iveta Aigare, Levons Agadžanjans, Juris Bergins, Inese Brants, Dace Blūma, Skuja Braden, Ilga Dreiblate, Ēriks Ellers, Tatjana Krivenkova, Larisa Maksimenkova, Pēteris Martinsons, Helga Ingeborga Melnbārde, Sarmīte Munde, Sanita Ozola, Antoņina Paškeviča, Maruta Raude, Valda Podkalne, Ilona Romule, Jānis Ronis, Āris Segliņš, Zina Ulste un Andris Vēzis.
Photo: Set “I Feel Like a Chicken Today” by Ilona Romule. 1992 - 1994.