The Embassy of Latvia in the Netherlands opens an art exhibition in the French Institute, in Amsterdam – “Art Nouveau Architecture: Riga” on 19March.
The exhibition was opened by the Ambassador of Latvia to the Netherlands H. E. Māris Klišāns, then Director of the French Institute, Mr. Laurent Alberti, and the curator of the exhibition and scientist of art Ms. Ramona Umblija.
There are approximately 800 Art Noveau buildings in Riga, and in this exhibition it is possible to see photographs of the eight most striking buildings and their architecture elements on Alberta, Strēlnieku, Smilšu, Elizabetes and Tērbatas streets.
Curator, Ramona Umblija, in her speech introduced to the principle of the exhibition “Art Nouveau Architecture: Riga”. The main concept is Richard Wagner’s (lived and worked in Riga from August 1837 to July, 1939) gesamtkunstwerk or term of total artwork, visualising the greatest Art Nouveau buildings/ facades alike performances in opera.
Firstly the facades of buildings at night are portrayed in a lighting, just like audience watches opera performance in a dim-lit hall, hence preserving and enhancing the aura of myth and mystery (the powerful influence of symbolism that still exists at the beginning of 20th century). Secondly accentuating the fact that electrical lighting first arrived in Riga together with the Art Nouveau buildings, which allows as “to look behind the doors and windows” or using the association with opera – look behind the stage.
Umblija emphasized the uniqueness of the Art Nouveau, how well the buildings are maintained, and invited the audience to visit Riga and to experience the great cultural and architectural values of Latvian capital themselves.
Amsterdam’s French Institute is the French culture centre in the Netherlands, which has been opened for more than 70 years. The main aim of the Institute is to promote French culture, art and teach French language.
The exhibition “Art Nouveau in Riga” will be open to the public until 21 April.
