The exposition with the project title Unwritten highlights issues regarding the perception, research, and conservation of Latvian post-War architecture. Unwritten chronicles, in fact, inexistent research on this.
The exposition is based on the assertion that there is (no) modernism in Latvia which is equally correct as proof and denial of the existence of modernist architecture. There is no acknowledged research and evaluation of modernist architecture in Latvia. The situation is complicated regarding the evaluation of modernism. On one hand, there is an aversion to anything that occurred during the period of Soviet occupation and the influence of ideology; on the other, there is a wave of uncritical nostalgia for the country’s youth and childhood, as well as a superficial hipster joy at the exotic Soviet heritage.
A number of these buildings have already reached the “monument” age. There is no single evaluation of their importance in the context of the Latvian architectural heritage. We continue to lose them through various strategies of absorption – rebuilding or demolishing. If we continue this way and at the current rate, we will not leave future generations the opportunity to see and evaluate the design and buildings of this period.
Part of the Latvian exhibition – Unwritten – is virtual, and can be accessed at www.facebook.com/unwrittenlv. This is an open social information site about architecture and masters who could be considered par of Latvian modernist architecture.
Everyone is invited to add examples of Latvian architecture that could be considered modernist. Unwritten will become the largest ever database for post-War Latvian modernist architecture. It will become an initiative for future research.
Curators: NRJA in collaboration with graphic designer Kirils Kirasirovs; sound artist Andris Indāns, multimedia support Rihards Vītols and full-service event agency PAREIZĀ ĶĪMIJA.
