The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art Invites Schoolchildren to Discover Contemporary Art in Masterclasses
The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art within the Latvian School Bag programme has launched, together with artists Gundega Evelone, Katrīna Neiburga, Rihards Funts, Ieva Balode, Evita Melbārde, Ieva Soprāne, Modris Svilāns, Viktorija Eksta, Andrejs Strokins, Anda Lāce and Izolde Cēsniece, as well as art ambassadors, a diverse series of creative workshops since February 2019, offering children and young people (aged 10–16) the opportunity to experience them at schools throughout Latvia. The workshops are also suitable for various camps, children’s and youth centre programmes, vocational schools and non-formal education institutions throughout Latvia.
As part of the masterclass, each artist provides an insight into their creative practice, while an art ambassador explains what contemporary art is through various examples. Participants are introduced to the specifics, techniques and working methods of each artist. Following the presentation, the artist and art ambassador lead a creative workshop in which students themselves have the opportunity to try out the principles of creating a work of art by producing a new artwork. Each creative workshop lasts two hours. Every masterclass is available as a separate activity, while several masterclasses can also be invited to one school.
About the workshops and artists:
The interdisciplinary artist, sculptor and curator Gundega Evelone introduces participants in her masterclass to the practices and examples of creating performance art, actions, happenings and installations in Latvia. Using objects found on site, the artist offers participants a hands-on experience of how any creative idea can be materialised.
In the workshop with artist Katrīna Neiburga participants can explore what video art and video installation are, as well as the origins of VJ culture in Latvia, while learning to use VJ (video mixing) software in practice and creating their own video work.
In their workshop, contemporary art conservators Evita Melbārde and Ieva Soprāne reveal the diverse materiality of contemporary art and examples of artworks saved from disappearing thanks to the unique profession of the contemporary art conservator. Together, participants create copies of works by Latvian artists and discover the unusual materials used in contemporary art.
In the self-portrait masterclass led by visual artist Viktorija Eksta participants are introduced to various approaches and artists who work with self-portraiture, selfie culture and the therapeutic effects of self-portraiture in art. Participants create self-portraits in photographic or short-video form and work on positioning themselves in front of the camera and creating new personas, capturing themselves and their groupmates through photographic portraits and self-portraits.
In the workshop led by painter and performance artist Anda Lāce, each participant has the opportunity to take part in creating a performative artwork through play and creative tasks. By involving students in the creation of a performative large-scale drawing, an idea or thought is developed, encouraging mutual trust, openness and concentration among the students.
In her masterclass, artist and educator Izolde Cēsniece works with students to think, draw, create and build imaginary maps in which the thoughts, things and concerns present in each student’s mind materialise as shared urban objects, revealing the emotional and thematic mood of the class.
Meanwhile, photographer Andrejs Strokins offers participants in his workshop the opportunity to create photo collages from found images, embracing the effects of chance and mistakes on the resulting works.
Designer Rihards Funts introduces participants in his masterclass to various design disciplines and the designer’s profession, develops an exhibition concept together with students and creates exhibition display design models using 3D-printing technology.
Analog-image artist and curator of experimental film events Ieva Balode introduces students to the use of analogue technologies in creating artworks in the contemporary digital age. Together with the artist, participants have the opportunity to produce an analogue photographic image themselves and discover the principles behind creating an analogue image.
Metal artist Modris Svilāns combines various materials with experiments in sound and kinetics to create kinetic artworks together with students. These are brought to life with the help of a contrast sensor, creating a unique experience.
The masterclasses are a paid service. The price of one masterclass is EUR 235–275 (including VAT), excluding transport costs.
To register for the workshops, contact Māra Žeikare, curator of the education programmes at the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, by writing to mara@lcca.lv or calling +371 29586893.
More information about the workshops: www.lcca.lv and Facebook.
The workshops are organised by: the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art
The series of masterclasses was developed with the support of the State Culture Capital Foundation’s target programme “Creating the Content of the Latvian School Bag”.
About the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art
The Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, a curator and producer of international and national-scale art events, is Latvia’s largest contemporary art institution. Since 1993, it has researched and shaped contemporary art processes in Latvia and internationally in order to provoke critical reflection on issues affecting contemporary society. The LCCA’s distinguishing features include Latvia’s largest annual contemporary art event, Survival Kit, contemporary art exhibitions at the Latvian National Museum of Art, Hardy Lediņš Year, and Latvia’s representation at international events such as the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, the Venice Art Biennale, the São Paulo Biennial, Manifesta, the Rauma Biennial of Contemporary Art and others. The LCCA maintains the only archive of contemporary art in Latvia.
