Sculpture in Latvia!

[fridrihson]

EUROPEAN SPACE , Sculpture Quadrennial, Riga/ Latvia 2004.
The Riga Sculpture Quadrennial is a periodical art event in Latvia’s capital, a tradition started in the early 1970s. At that time, when the three Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were still involuntary members of the Soviet Union, their collaboration in visual art was an important statement about regional cultural identity on the Western fringes of the Eurasian Empire.
EUROPEAN SPACE, the 9th of these Quadrennials, will take place in the summer of 2004. The Pan-European ambition of the event is reflected in the title. Its curators, Riga-based artists Aigars Bikse and Kristaps Gulbis, are working with institutional partners in most European countries, putting together an exhibition of sculpture and a series of seminar and workshop events.
Europe is now on the verge of important reforms. In 2004 the first former Eastern-bloc countries will join the European Union. In post war Europe this turning point can only be compared to the Schumann declaration of May 1950 which led to the creation of what is now the European Union. Changes effect not only the political arena but also information and cultural space. EUROPEAN SPACE is focusing on these two years that have been and will be so crucial for the future of Europe 1950 and 2004. EUROPEAN SPACE is a European-scale international cultural event, which will include seminars in the countries of the co-organisers, an education programme, N space, and international sculpture workshop at the Art Academy of Latvia. The event will also include a web discussion forum DIVERGENT REALITIES WWW for participants and public on the internet, and web radio regarding the topics of the seminars and the conference.
For an account of the Quadrennial’s history and updates on the upcoming event, which opens on June 4, 2004, please consult the official website (www.scupturequadrennial.lv). For general information about Riga, the In Your Pocket city guide can be recommended (www.inyourpocket.com/latvia/riga/en).