Other events in Baltic States

From 27 March until 3 May 2015, at the Creative Studio of the Arsenāls Exhibition Hall of the Latvian National Museum of Art (2nd floor, 1 Torņa Street, Old Riga), on view will be the ‘One Spectator’s Visit’ solo exhibition by Latvian artists Krista and Reinis Dzudzilo, reports Latvian National Museum of Art.

Further developing the tradition where scenography is a field closely related and equal to directing, Reinis and Krista Dzudzilo use the means of theatre in their works both clearly and imaginatively: the message is formed using methods of spatial organisation, carefully planning the spectator’s participation in the art experience. Having the courage not to remain within the confines of a single discipline and its rules, the Dzudzilo tandem proves that their means of expression can survive not only on the theatre stage but also in the seemingly uncommon territory, such as a contemporary exhibition space.

Man is at the centre of the authors’ attention, and they want to organise their exposition at the Creative Studio of the Arsenāls in a dramaturgic manner, creating an extensive installation – a space, where to affect the senses of the person who is present. In the artists' concept, the project ‘One Spectator’s Visit’ will give the opportunity to go on a journey and to encounter an experience that is both subjective and collective.

The artistic handwritings of both authors are permeated by an interest in the fundamental subjects of life, yet their works neither reflect nor comment upon them, instead creating the conditions where the question: what is at all important and lasting? – arises inside the visitor. At the start of this year the artists’ first exhibition together ‘wil?* *what is love’ was held at the kim? Contemporary Art Centre, where they paraphrased the Latvian abbreviation ‘kas ir māksla?’ (what is art) of the exhibition space's name with greater existential depth, asking: ‘what is love?’.

Krista Dzudzilo (1989) and Reinis Dzudzilo (1987) are a married couple that are active in visual art and theatre. Since 2009, they have created scenography and costumes for productions at the Latvian National Opera, the New Riga Theatre, Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, Latvian National Theatre, Valmiera Drama Theatre, Dirty Deal Teatro, Eduards Smiļģis Theatre Museum, Andrejosta in Riga and Darmstadt City Theatre.

Krista Dzudzilo's first one-woman shows placed significance on the interaction between works and the manner of their exhibitions well as their influence on the spectator. In summer 2013, she held an exhibition in the abandoned basement of a building on Merķeļa Street, turning to a personal subject in her cycle of paintings ‘Neuter’ – to the history of things and memories, striving to reveal what remains of a person, when he is no longer physically present.

Reinis Dzudzilo received the ‘Spelmanu nakts’ award in the nomination ‘Best Scenographer’ for the production ‘Raudupiete’ at Valmiera Drama Theatre in 2013. Krista Dzudzilo was nominated for the ‘Spelmanu nakts’ award as Costume Designer of the Year for the production ‘Summerfolk’ in 2014; the author has held two personal exhibitions so far – ‘Neuter’ (2013) and ‘Empty Space’ (2012). In 2012, at the International Tartu Drama Festival both artists received an award for outstanding visual image for the Latvian National Theatre production ‘PEROFRMANCE END’.