{"id":1505,"date":"2024-10-07T11:19:29","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T11:19:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/msaijo.com\/now\/?page_id=1505"},"modified":"2024-10-08T07:31:57","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T07:31:57","slug":"atminas-rekonstrukcija-riga-latvia-2024","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/msaijo.com\/now\/atminas-rekonstrukcija-riga-latvia-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Atminas Rekonstrukcija. Riga, Latvia (2024)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Winter Garden Memory Reconstruction @ Cafe de Paris
(Atminas Rekonstrukcija Ziemas Da\u0304rzs)<\/strong> Riga 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Memory Reconstruction <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Winter Garden<\/strong>, once an integral part of the renowned Caf\u00e9 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.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2010 \u2013 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.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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 Caf\u00e9 de Paris, to its various incarnations over the decades.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Winter Garden Timeline<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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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 Lip\u0161a’s book “R\u012bga bohemas var\u0101,” adding depth to the representation of Riga’s bohemian life. Inside, the satirical Caf\u00e9 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.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Three Dancers<\/em><\/strong>. Bookpiece. 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caf\u00e9 de Paris<\/em><\/strong>. Bookpiece. 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Scandal<\/em><\/strong>. India ink on paper. 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The exhibit included a video installation with film footage of Latvia\u2019s \u201ccommon people\u201d projected on dilapidated walls, enhanced by a rich soundscape of music, voiceovers, folk songs, and ambient effects.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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