TRADITION
Ethnography, Latvian ethnographic symbols, traditions of the Winter Solstice are all part of our rich cultural heritage from which authors draw inspiration every year. In the urban environment Latvian symbols as a powerful graphic image manifest the Solstice tradition and the Latvian world perception. Creating a contemporary view of the ethnographic heritage without falling into clichés is becoming an increasingly difficult challenge for the festival participants.
(2011)
The idea for this artwork came as the artist was researching ornaments used by the Latvian painter, interior designer and master of decorative art Jūlijs Madernieks in his tapestry designs. The Tree of the Sun represents the path of the Sun and the order of the world. The large format artwork – ornament with rust effects – elegantly plays with the brick textures of the ancient fortifications of Trokšņu Street.
(2012)
The Fir Tree of the Seasons was to be found in the courtyard of Jāņa Sēta. The pattern of the brick arrangement reminds us of the course of history and symbolises the winter and summer solstices.
(2012)
The authors were inspired by Latvian mythology and ethnography, particularly, by the symbols of the Sun and Jumis, depicting these as the Tree of the Sun. In Latvian mythology, Jumis symbolises the land and fertility, whereas the Sun – eternal motion, power of life, light and harmony. The White Tree of the Solstice reminds us of the eternal cycles of nature and society.
(2010)
The artists have recreated the image of the Christmas tree as a light-coloured wooden structure. The symmetrical construction forms certain rhythms which incorporate various ethnographic elements revealing themselves from different angles. The illuminated wooden Christmas tree creates a warm and cosy ambiance, especially during evening hours.
(2010)
Folklorists believe that games, such as those where the Moon catches the Sun or wolves chase a goat are specifically solstice games – a symbolic battle of light and dark. Students of the AAL and the RTU Robotics club have together created a modern version of the battle between light and dark represented in three rotating Christmas trees.
(2018)
This story is about the strong roots of this tree in the Latvian people and the Latvian land. Fir trees form a significant part of the forest landscape, and the Christmas tree comes into the family home every year as a lovely Christmas tradition. With the help of a video projection, the author creates an associative visual image on the facade of a building showing how the fir tree roots intertwine with stylised Latvian symbols.
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