Opening of the “Aspazija in Wonderland” Exhibition
On Friday, 13 March, at 2:00 p.m., the Raiņa and Aspazija House (30 Baznīcas Street, Riga) will open the doors to “Aspazija in Wonderland”, a solo exhibition by artist Evija Freidenfelde. The exhibition offers an unexpected and visually powerful interpretation of the poet’s image, taking viewers into a parallel reality where biographical facts become the starting point for artistic transformation.
“Aspazija in Wonderland” is a visual study of unwritten history. Inspired by an in-depth study of the poet’s biography, Evija Freidenfelde has created a world in which Aspazija lives another life—one not recorded in history, yet possible.
The idea for the exhibition emerged as the artist developed a profound interest in Aspazija’s biography while preparing a project dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the first production of the play “Vaidelote”. This research gave rise to works in which biography encounters imagination. The guiding motif is a painting of a determined skier, which has become a symbol of the poet’s independent and modern personality.
The exhibition features paintings, graphic works, and mixed-media pieces in which the artist’s characteristic limited colour palette and the unpredictability of pigment create a subtle, charged aesthetic. In the artworks, the poet’s presence can be discerned through recognisable elements of her silhouette, her distinctive hairstyle, and an intimation of Raiņa’s presence.
““Aspazija in Wonderland” is not a biographical portrait. It is a space where history and imagination merge, allowing viewers to see the poet anew,” the exhibition’s author emphasises.
About the artist:
Evija Freidenfelde is a contemporary artist whose professional path is an interdisciplinary combination of art, natural sciences, and jurisprudence. Her creative practice is an inquiry into the phenomenon of memory and the transformation of energy.
The artist is a member of the Artists’ Union of Latvia. She has held 12 solo exhibitions and participated in more than 40 group exhibitions in Latvia and abroad. Her works have been published in exhibition catalogues and are held in private collections.
