Exhibition “Still Life of Things” – 28 artists’ interpretations of the still life genre / Article

Still life in painting has undergone various transformations and philosophical translations over the centuries, but it is still a relevant genre for artists. This is also confirmed by the open exhibition “Silent Life of Things” opened in the gallery “Art XO”, where 28 artists’ interpretations of this classic theme can be seen.

For many years, still life was considered the lowest and simplest form of art in academic painting. In the gallery “Art XO”, 28 outstanding Latvian artists offer their views on objects and their relations in the exhibition “Silent Life of Things”.

“These stories are really many nowadays, and the artist no longer paints a classic still life, which tells about death, about life that will end, so she has to live,” explains the curator of the exhibition Ilze Žeivate. If before we perceived “still life” only in painting or etching, drawing, lithography, then the 20th century came with so many new art forms. I think that you can also make things quiet in dance! ”

In the exhibition, still life motifs are incorporated into different techniques and visual expressions. Photographer Jānis Deinats met his still life one Christmas, when mandarins were allowed to gather in one container.

“I like things that we don’t seem to notice on a daily basis, the ones we don’t pay attention to, that’s what attracts me a lot. It seems that everything is the same, no! It seems that a waiter has made symmetry there, there is no symmetry there! ” tells the photographer.

The work of the painter Envija is dedicated to her mother and, according to the artist, was created without pressure, tension, concentration of artificial and artificial energy.

In turn, the still life of the artist Leonards Laganovskis originated from specific women’s wardrobe accessories.

“Silent Life of Things” will be on view at the Art XO gallery until mid-September.

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