Zeme deg: A Thought-Provoking Exhibition of 120 Works of Art by 80 Vidzeme Artists

120 works of art in various techniques performed by 80 artists – this is the exhibition “Zeme deg” by the artists of the Vidzeme region, which makes the visitors of the Madona Regional History and Art Museum think about uncomfortable and very topical topics through various means of expression.

An exhibition of the works of Vidzeme artists is held every year in one of the cities of Vidzeme, this time in the heart of the Vidzeme highlands – Madona. As the curators of the exhibition emphasize, the theme was chosen to highlight the painful processes taking place in the world and in the country, including war, economic crisis, disagreements, Covid-19, and other things that make our feelings “burn the ground under our feet”, and each artist perceives this theme differently – internal, external, local or worldly. “The work was done at the beginning of 2022, before February 24, because after that it would probably look different. It is a dream of summer, a dream of flowers, a dream of dandelion meadows. I want to see these beautiful, blooming landscapes always and forever. And the pain that is there now, let it pass, heal, let the dandelions take over and only memories remain – sweet, warm for the good people,” says textile artist Laima Bakāne.

The work of the artist Laima Bakāne has also been appreciated by museum visitors. Also the work created by artist Viesturas Īkis and textile artist Baiba Zalcmanes during their studies at the Academy of Arts, created with deep personal feelings. “I want to cry, very emotional. I was in anticipation when I made this work, and it was the most emotional moment to be able to put out what is. It’s hard to post what’s out there because someone is going to read it all. It was such a thrill. How to give yourself to everyone, that text is very personal and deep,” says Baiba Zalcmane, a textile artist from Jūrmala.

Along with Baiba, we also meet her husband Oskar and the much-awaited daughter Sara at the event. Oskar says: “I’ve been around the whole time, so those emotions have been transferred to me. The feeling is that you have lived together.”

Livija Zepa, director of Madona Museum of Local History and Art: “The exhibition is wonderful, because artists are the force that gives people joy, makes them understand, makes them think. And here is the fact that both amateur art and professional art are next to each other.”

Bakāne: “I admire the girls of the museum, who organized it in such a comprehensible, readable and also very interesting way. The exhibition is very rich. I think every artist who participated here is proud of it, because it is a great honor to exhibit at the Madonna Museum.”

It should be emphasized that a total of eighty artists with 120 works participated in the exhibition. The performance of the singer and music teacher, Madonna Sintija Paegle, gave a special note to the gathering, which made it possible to delve more deeply into the world of art.

Photo: Agris Veckalniņš

2023-06-28 14:06:08
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