Winter Garden Memory Reconstruction @ Cafe de Paris
(Atminas Rekonstrukcija Ziemas Dārzs) Riga 2024
Memory Reconstruction
The Winter Garden, once an integral part of the renowned Café de Paris in the early 20th century, is located in the courtyard of Kr. Barona 14. During this period, the corner of Kr. Barona and Elizabetes streets was known as Riga’s Broadway, a vibrant area filled with social activities and entertainment. This exhibition by Mike Saijo, presented as part of the ISSP Artist Residency Program, revives the city’s golden era of the 1920s-1930s through contemporary reinterpretation, reconstructing the memories of the people and events that shaped this vibrant period.
In 2010 – Due to moisture, the floor in the main book storage courtyard annex of the Latvian National Library collapsed, and approximately 1,200 of the latest foreign literature books fell into the basement floor water and were irreparably damaged.
The goal of this exhibition is not only to revive historical memories but also to raise funds for the restoration of the Winter Garden. Once restored, the Winter Garden will become a significant part of cultural heritage, offering the public a unique opportunity to explore Riga’s history and culture.
The exhibition unfolds through several key elements, beginning with a Timeline that chronicles the history of the Winter Garden, tracing its transformation from its inception in 1912 as a proposed winter garden, through its peak as the glamorous Café de Paris, to its various incarnations over the decades.
Winter Garden Timeline
Along the exterior wall, the piece “Three Dancers” captures the spirit of the “Plastic Dance” movement, popular in Latvia during the 1920s and 1930s, and is printed over pages from Ineta Lipša’s book “Rīga bohemas varā,” adding depth to the representation of Riga’s bohemian life. Inside, the satirical Café de Paris “Cartoon” artwork overlays the imagery of Latvian cartoonist onto the same historical text, offering a sharp reflection of Riga’s social dynamics during this era.
Three Dancers. Bookpiece. 2024
Café de Paris. Bookpiece. 2024
The Scandal. India ink on paper. 2024
The exhibit included a video installation with film footage of Latvia’s “common people” projected on dilapidated walls, enhanced by a rich soundscape of music, voiceovers, folk songs, and ambient effects.
Four original stained glass windows (backlit with LEDs) from the Winter Garden were put on display, carefully preserved in their weathered state, emphasizing the need for restoration.
Local residents shared their thoughts of the exhibit with Riga news reporters as they walked through the historical building in the heart of Latvia.
Also included was a video of a conversation between Māris Krasņikovs, the current owner of the Winter Garden, and Mike Saijo. After 20 years apart, they reunite to discuss their memories from Los Angeles and reflect on how those experiences have shaped them. This conversation invites viewers to reflect on the connections between friendship, memory, and time.