SYMPOSIUMS

RECALLING THE WONDERFUL MUSIC AND ART FESTIVAL IN ZVARTAVA

On the 19th of July in Zvartava manor – the romantic neo-gothic castle, which since the 90ties has hosted a variety of different arts and culture events – a music and art festival took place. 3 wonderful concert programmes were available for children and grownups and everybody was invited to visit the unique castle and join the celebration.

Concerts were widely attended by the local inhabitants, as well as visitors from the capital and other Latvian cities.

Thank you to State Culture Capital Foundation, Latvian Artists' Union, Apes municipality, NGO "Latvian Civil Society Support Center", NGO „Dzirnavas”, State Ltd. „Latvian Concerts” for the support.

Immense thank you to all artists and performers who gave away their hearts and souls to the manor and its visitors.

Sincere and true thank you to all visitors for your contribution! We are honoured to publish the names of all the donators:

Lukas Rauhameki, Ilze Dāve, Vivita Skudra, Ināra Kalniņa, Jānis Avotnieks, Māra Avotniece, Kaspars Stabiņš, Viesturs Zariņš, Ieva Zariņa, Laura Ceļmillere-Ice, Krēsliņu ģimene, Celenbergu ģimene, Karīna Gaide, Sanita Salma, Agnija, Elīna Auziņa, Samanta Liepiņa, Lauma Birzkope, Adriana Marta Gotlube, Alise Vaivode, Maira Maruščaka, Anna Markeviča, Toms Nils Prarņicāns, Laima Lodiņa, Annija Kristiana Sirma, Elizabete Lodiņa, Karīna Anete Sirmā, Zane Aivija Biele, Elīna Ķere, Agnese Strode, Viktorija Papariga, Anna Irotova, Nikola Bergmane, Simona Ance Dzenīte, Elizabete Kļaviņa, Katrīne Zariņa, Margarita Sēkliņa, Loreta Luīze Lirbovksa, Arta Anna Mūrniece, Estere Rožkalne, Marta Visocka, Anna Vemere, Katrīna Ducena, Alta Saulīte, Jēkabs Bernāts, Arno Titovs, Katrīna Štālmane, Patriks Poikāns, Ernests Melnačs, Gunita Gedrovica, Elze Ozoliņa, Sabīne Hinca, Anete Antuanete Kalniņa, Ernests Zveja, Mikus Gabranovs, Marks Žubulis, Irita Stūrīte, Evita Grozdova, Mārtiņš Kalējs, Karīna Harkina, Ilva Harkina, Silvija Eidemane, Vigo Račevskis, Varvara Zavjonova, Glafisa, Aleksandra Šikora, Mārtiņš Sluģis, Ilze Martinsone, Fēbe Līga Pāsa, Agnese Lipska, Arnita Lipska, Rebeka Elīna Sarma, Elza Zane Zirne, Beāte Kozlovska, Dagmāra Laicāne, Līvija Tolpežņikova, Juta Vaišļa, Erna Emīlija Stuka, Rebeka Kristīne Graudiņa, Diāna Ģērmane, Madara Celma, Krista Ločmele, Austra Sviķle, Krišjānis Brasliņš, Dāvids Pušpurs, Dārta Kolāte, Terēze Kauliņa, Baiba Tauriņa, Maija Kļaviņa, Romāns Faļkenšteins, Karīna Mazūra, Ksenija Fortūna, Zāra Zenta Zujeva, Alma Sedleniece, Liene Reinharde, Marta Junāne, Laima Miltiņa, Henriete Čupāne, Arta Brirido, Jānis Pauls, Alona Norvile, Andra Hince, Tīna Estere Vilka, Maija Mūrīte, Rūta Kliesmete, Laila Kurņecova, Elita Puzule, Gita Mašīna, Inese Ratsepa, Ilze Līce, Tamāra Einberga, Māris Einbergs, Aiga Tonone, Vilnis Strazdovskis, Rigonda Biseniece, Dzintas Bisenieks, Zinta Ratsepa, Aiga Dundare, Inese Kaparkalēja, Guntars Kaparkalējs, Kaspars Raipalis, Zane Raipale, Inta Zučika, Inese Zučika, Rūta Reina Kuhta, Einārs Loža, Daina Loča, Sanita Medne, Ingūna Vilemsone, Andra Līviņa, Brigita Strupiņa, Nikolajs Strupiņš, Rita Vilemsone, Markus Vilemsons, Kalvis Vilemsons, Ieva Loža, Alvils Loža, Maija Cvetkova, Rodvigs Serjogins, Jānis Ozols, Dace Ozola, Ilze Veitnere, Krišjānis Veitners, Kārlis Linards Veitners, Eduards Veitners, Voldemārs Veitners, Liene Veitnere, Karīna Veitnere, Rolands Zagorskis.

Thank you once more!

AIZVADĪTI BRĪNIŠĶĪGI MŪZIKAS UN MĀKSLAS SVĒTKI ZVĀRTAVĀ

Š.g. 19.jūlijā Zvārtavas pilī - romantiskajā neogotikas celtnē, kurā jau kopš 90.gadu vidus norisinās dažādi mākslas un kultūras pasākumi – tika atzīmēti mūzikas un mākslas svētki un ikvienam interesentam bija iespēja paviesoties unikālajā pilī un noklausīties trīs brīnišķīgas koncertprogrammas gan bērniem, gan pieaugušajiem.

Koncerti bija plaši apmeklēti gan no vietējo iedzīvotāju puses, gan arī pilij bija tas gods uzņemt viesus no galvaspilsētas un citām Latvijas pilsētām.

Paldies Valsts Kultūrkapitāla fondam, Latvijas Mākslinieku savienībai, Apes novada pašvaldībai, biedrībai "Latvijas Pilsoniskas sabiedrības atbalsta centrs", biedrībai „Dzirnavas” un Valsts SIA „Latvijas Koncerti” par atbalstu.

Liels paldies visiem māksliniekiem, kuri, šķiet, pilij un tās viesiem atdeva visu savu sirdi un dvēseli!

Sirsnīgs un patiess paldies koncerta apmeklētājiem un visiem ziedotājiem. Mēs esam lepni publicēt šeit visu ziedotāju vārdus:

Lukas Rauhameki, Ilze Dāve, Vivita Skudra, Ināra Kalniņa, Jānis Avotnieks, Māra Avotniece, Kaspars Stabiņš, Viesturs Zariņš, Ieva Zariņa, Laura Ceļmillere-Ice, Krēsliņu ģimene, Celenbergu ģimene, Karīna Gaide, Sanita Salma, Agnija, Elīna Auziņa, Samanta Liepiņa, Lauma Birzkope, Adriana Marta Gotlube, Alise Vaivode, Maira Maruščaka, Anna Markeviča, Toms Nils Prarņicāns, Laima Lodiņa, Annija Kristiana Sirma, Elizabete Lodiņa, Karīna Anete Sirmā, Zane Aivija Biele, Elīna Ķere, Agnese Strode, Viktorija Papariga, Anna Irotova, Nikola Bergmane, Simona Ance Dzenīte, Elizabete Kļaviņa, Katrīne Zariņa, Margarita Sēkliņa, Loreta Luīze Lirbovksa, Arta Anna Mūrniece, Estere Rožkalne, Marta Visocka, Anna Vemere, Katrīna Ducena, Alta Saulīte, Jēkabs Bernāts, Arno Titovs, Katrīna Štālmane, Patriks Poikāns, Ernests Melnačs, Gunita Gedrovica, Elze Ozoliņa, Sabīne Hinca, Anete Antuanete Kalniņa, Ernests Zveja, Mikus Gabranovs, Marks Žubulis, Irita Stūrīte, Evita Grozdova, Mārtiņš Kalējs, Karīna Harkina, Ilva Harkina, Silvija Eidemane, Vigo Račevskis, Varvara Zavjonova, Glafisa, Aleksandra Šikora, Mārtiņš Sluģis, Ilze Martinsone, Fēbe Līga Pāsa, Agnese Lipska, Arnita Lipska, Rebeka Elīna Sarma, Elza Zane Zirne, Beāte Kozlovska, Dagmāra Laicāne, Līvija Tolpežņikova, Juta Vaišļa, Erna Emīlija Stuka, Rebeka Kristīne Graudiņa, Diāna Ģērmane, Madara Celma, Krista Ločmele, Austra Sviķle, Krišjānis Brasliņš, Dāvids Pušpurs, Dārta Kolāte, Terēze Kauliņa, Baiba Tauriņa, Maija Kļaviņa, Romāns Faļkenšteins, Karīna Mazūra, Ksenija Fortūna, Zāra Zenta Zujeva, Alma Sedleniece, Liene Reinharde, Marta Junāne, Laima Miltiņa, Henriete Čupāne, Arta Brirido, Jānis Pauls, Alona Norvile, Andra Hince, Tīna Estere Vilka, Maija Mūrīte, Rūta Kliesmete, Laila Kurņecova, Elita Puzule, Gita Mašīna, Inese Ratsepa, Ilze Līce, Tamāra Einberga, Māris Einbergs, Aiga Tonone, Vilnis Strazdovskis, Rigonda Biseniece, Dzintas Bisenieks, Zinta Ratsepa, Aiga Dundare, Inese Kaparkalēja, Guntars Kaparkalējs, Kaspars Raipalis, Zane Raipale, Inta Zučika, Inese Zučika, Rūta Reina Kuhta, Einārs Loža, Daina Loča, Sanita Medne, Ingūna Vilemsone, Andra Līviņa, Brigita Strupiņa, Nikolajs Strupiņš, Rita Vilemsone, Markus Vilemsons, Kalvis Vilemsons, Ieva Loža, Alvils Loža, Maija Cvetkova, Rodvigs Serjogins, Jānis Ozols, Dace Ozola, Ilze Veitnere, Krišjānis Veitners, Kārlis Linards Veitners, Eduards Veitners, Voldemārs Veitners, Liene Veitnere, Karīna Veitnere, Rolands Zagorskis.

Paldies vēlreiz!

CELEBRATING MUSIC AND ART IN ZVARTAVA

NGOs "Creativity Mecca" and "Dzirnavas" cordially invite both – small and big music lovers – to visit Zvartava manor! On the 19th of July in Zvartava manor – the romantic neo-gothic castle, which since the 90ties has hosted a variety of different arts and culture events – we will celebrate music and art with 3 wonderful concert programmes for children and grownups. We invite everybody to visit the unique palace and join the celebration.

We also look forward to hosting guests from Zvartava, Gaujiena parish and region of Ape, as one of the objectives of the event is to high-quality professional artistic activities in regions.

OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION "CLAY WITH THE TASTE OF WINE. GEORGIAN CONTEMPORARY CERAMICS"

We are happy to invite you all the the opening of the exhibition "Clay with the taste of wine. Georgian contemporary ceramics". All are welocome to celebrate the Independence day of Georgia together.

Artists represented in the exhibition:

Lia Bagrationi

Lia Bagrationi lives and works in Tbilisi, Georgia. She is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics, associate professor at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts and co-founder of the Georgian ceramic art foundation "The Clay Office".

Lia permanently exhibits her work in group and solo shows nationally and internationally.

About her work Lia says:  "I am an artist working in clay as I find it to be a fascinating medium. Clay is a matter eager to become a form – forms of nature, forms ever shaped by human, as well as never created forms that rest in the infinite memory of its substance. My task is to let these forms free and recall clay’s memory....."

Regarding works represented at this exhibition Lia says: “Having seen various archaeological objects and artefacts, I decided to tell a story on mirror reflections of vanishing cities. This idea has been materialized in the series I called "The Cities". Each composition is made of two parts: a foundation and an architectural decorative detail. The foundation, in fact, is a ceramic pot of the simplest of the shapes, the kind of which is found in abundance on every archaeological site in Georgia and also elsewhere in the world. For me it has become the conceptually defining aesthetic image for the entire project, indeed.”

Nato Eristavi

Nato Eristavi’s motto is: “Smile to life and it will smile back to you”.

Nato graduated from the Faculty of Ceramics at the Tbilisi State Academy of Arts.  Nato, overwhelmed by a great urge for self-realization and being a very active person and a person who can undertake anything that interests her irrespective of her experience, has worked at advertising company and learned graphic computer programmes, has been an artist at a TV studio, has learned interior design, has lead children studio and today is leading “White Studio” – a ceramic studio, creating exclusive, handmade porcelain art works and also designing and implementing conceptual  art projects.

Nato is happy to have chosen ceramics as her profession, even if nowadays less Georgian art is sold in exhibitions than foreign art. This is especially the case with ceramics.  Nato does everything with love, and does not stop, does not restrict her artistic expression and does what she likes.

Nato is a co-founder of the Georgian ceramic art foundation called “The Clay Office”. The group jointly drafts projects, holds international and regional symposiums and exhibitions. They also help to teach Academy students and young ceramic artists. Nato has worked and held exhibitions in Japan, Korea, USA, Denmark, Azerbaijan, Sweden, Latvia, Austria and, of course, in Georgia.

Malkhaz Shvelidze

Malkhaz Shvelidze has graduated the Faculty of Monumental ceramics at the Tbilisi State Academy of Art.

In year 2007 together with colleagues Malkhaz established the Georgian ceramic art foundation called “The Clay Office”.

Malkhaz thinks that art has to bring people together, has to serve as a unique unified language and has to be a mediator between past and future.

His architecturally sculptural constructions or objects he calls “neoarchaisms”. They embody eminent history and splendid future.

“Clay for me is the best way of interaction with the surrounding world and also means to identify myself with it. I discovered clay as a material in early childhood when I made myself toy figurines to play with. This game with clay continues all through my life. Clay is a very submissive material but at the same time it does not forgive infidelity and deceit. I personally highly appreciate the level of mutual understanding and trust which I have achieved with the clay,” says Malkhaz.

Malkhaz has been part of numerous national and international exhibitions. His works are part of private collections in Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Georgia, The Netherlands, Israel, Lithuania, Russia, Sweden, UK, Ukraine and USA.

Gigisha Pachkoria

Gigisha Pachkoria is a Georgian ceramic artist. Since year 1982 Gigisha Pachkoria’s works have been exhibited in many exhibitions in Georgia and outside its borders.

Since year 1996 until today Gigisha has organized 11 personal exhibitions.

Gigisha has participated in ceramic symposiums in Ukraine, Poland and Russia.

For Gigisha ceramics and working with clay is a part of the everyday life which brings along a lot of joy and also success and recognition.

For 30 years Gigisha worked on the project „1001 tea-pots as 1001 sleepless nights of Scheherazade”.  The project resulted in a large exhibition in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Gigisha says: “At the moment the main theme of my works is wine vessels because I am 50 and have a feeling that at this age I begin loving wine more that tea. They say that ceramics is a strong information carrier. I put a lot of energy into my works and they are like my children. Sometimes they get into the hands of complete strangers, sometimes in the hands of my good friends and with all these people through my works I create unworldly and soulful bond”.

Lali Kutateladze

Lali Kutateladze has graduated from the Tbilisi State Academy of Art n.a. Apolon Kutateladze Faculty of Ceramics. Apart from work in the field of ceramic art, Lali also works as a graphic artist.

For many years Lali has been working in the Tbilisi State Academy of Art Faculty of Ceramics teaching the new generation of ceramics artists.

In year 2007 together with colleagues Lali established a Georgian ceramic art foundation called “The Clay Office”.

Lali is active in exhibition work. Her works have been exhibited in Georgia and also abroad.

Lali says: “I want to say some words about the clay – material I work with. Vessel or pot, little plate with ancient writings on it, sculpture, brick, even a detail for the aviation industry – all this could be made out of clay… Clay is soft and obedient. It is a material very pleasant to work with. It gives you possibility to embody an idea into a form – to create sculptural objects, try out new forms and textures, experiment with light and colour. Clay is the material I am in love with….”

EVENTS IN ZVARTAVA MANOR IN 2014

Dear all. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances we have been forced to cancel the "Lithophane" Masterclass and the Symposium "Art course: Claymeal". We are in search for a new, better art space for masterclasses, symposiums and artists residencies. We are extremely sad that this is the case, however, we will not surrender and hope to come back next year with great art ceramics events – there are still many more precious places in Latvia we want to show you!

Stay tuned!

OPENING OF THE EXHIBITION "MASCULINE AND FEMININE CERAMICS" SYMPOSIUM

“Creativity mecca” invites everyone to the opening of the exhibition “Masculine and feminine ceramics” – a one day show of the works created during the Symposium “Masculine and feminine ceramics". Works will be presented in the Floating Arts Center "Beta Novuss" on AB Dam at 17:00 o’clock on the 12th of August, 2013.

Symposium took place from the 2nd–12th of August, 2013 in Zvartava manor with participation of artists from Belgium, Russia, France, Germany, Finland, Lithuania and Latvia.

RIP, PETERIS...

Today in the morning of the 2nd of August, 2013 - the first day of the Symposium "Masculine and feminine ceramics" - Peteris Martinsons went away along the light road to see and feel how much we love him and will miss him... Rest in peace, Peteris. We already miss you.

OPENING OF THE "LITHOPHANE" MASTERCLASS EXHIBITION

“Creativity mecca” invites everyone to the opening of the exhibition “Lithophanes” – a display of the works created during the “Lithophanes” Masterclass led by artist Ilona Romule. The opening will take plase in Riga Porcelain Museum at 17:00 o’clock on the 31st of July, 2013.

Masterclass took place from the 21st–31st of July, 2013 in Zvartava manor with participation of artists from Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Wales, Switzerland, Italy and the United States.

Ilona Romule is one of very few artists in the world, which today works in the technique of lithophane, creating three-dimensional porcelain objects, which reveal extraordinary relief effects. Artists participating in the workshop had an exclusive opportunity to acquire this unique porcelain technique, starting with the casting of plaster forms for the lithophanes.

The technique was known in Europe at the beginning of the 19th and some historians believe that the inspiration for the idea came from China plates that were as thin as the sheet of paper with different reliefs of landscapes and ornaments. However, over time the lithophane technique has been undeservedly forgotten. In the 21st century lithophane is experiencing rebirth, largely due to the development of technologies and the use of exquisite materials and pure shapes in art and design objects.

"Lithophanes created for the exhibition reflect not only each artist's personal style, but also the freedom one’s thought and inexhaustibility one’s fantasy," says Ilona Romule, admitting that "the works displayed in the exhibition are the best possible works that could be created within one week. There were lots of tears when the capricious China porcelain showed it’s nature during the drying process. Every work is created from the depths of one’s heart and we welcome everybody to evaluate our success!”.

The Lithophane masterclass was organized by “Creativity mecca” with the support of “ITA Consultant” Ltd. and State Culture Capital Foundation.

OPENING OF THE SYMPOSIUM "MEDITATION LIGHT" EXHIBITION

We are proud to announce that on the 20th of July, 2013 at 10PM in Cesis, Cesis Medieval Castle Park will be the opening of the exhibition of the largescale ceramics and light objects/ sculptures from Lode factory bricks - works created during the Symposium "Meditation Light". Our invited artists have done a great job and all artworks are stunning! Be present and we will be ready to share the magics of meditation light! Entrance is free.   

NORDIC CULTURE POINT GRANT AVAILABLE FOR ARTISTS FROM LITHUANIA, ESTONIA AND NORDIC COUNTRIES!

Nordic Culture Point offers mobility support for professional artists from Lithuania, Estonia and Nordic countries who wish to apply for participation at Zvartava 2013 summer ceramic events- Masterclass Litophania with Ilona Romule and Symposium with Masters: masculine and feminine in ceramics with Ilona Romule and Peteris Martinsons.

The grant covers the expenses up to 10 days stay in a form of fixed per diem of 70 EUR per day. The grant also supports travel costs from 200 – 1800 EUR, depending on the artist’s country of permanent residence (from the country of permanent residence to Latvia).

You are more than welcome to apply for the grant in order to support your participation. In case we can help you in the application process, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Deadline for submitting the online grant application is 24 April, 2013. The application form is available here: http://applications.kknord.org/user/register.php.

For more information, please, see the webpage of Nordic Culture Point. http://www.kulturkontaktnord.org/lang-en/forms-of-funding/nordic-baltic-mobility-programme-for-culture.

If you are applying for the grant, you still need to register for the Masterclass or the Symposium via our official website http://www.symposiums.lv/. The application form for the Masterclass is available under the "Fee" section of the particular event, as the applications will be reviewed on first to come, first to serve base. 

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at creativitymecca@gmail.com or linda.rasenbauma@ita.lv!

GREETINGS FROM PETERIS MARTINSONS!

Preparation for the Symposium and the Masterclass is picking up speed. However, speeding up cannot be related to the one of our beloved invited artists. Deep reflection in art and the practice of everyday life is what characterizes Peteris the best! Join us in the Symposium "Masculine and feminine ceramics" in Zvartava this summer and meet Peteris in person. Happiness is true only when shared!

VIDEO ON HAND MADE LITHOPHANES

Here is a video of Hannah Blackwell from her exhibition in the Blair Museum of Lithophanes. Here Hannah talks about the hand made lithophanes. Now, with modern 3D printers lithophane creation is within the reach of any artists, however, the artistic value of the hand made lithophanes to be created during the “Lithophane masterclass” is incomparable due to the artists’ own ideas shaped into fine porcelain and the hard work devoted for creation of unique artworks. 

MONEY PRIZES FOR BEST ARTWORKS CREATED DURING THE "MASCULINE AND FEMININE CERAMICS" SYMPOSIUM!

We are happy to announce that we have established 3 money prizes for the best works created during the Symposium “Masculine and feminine ceramics”. Symposium masters - Ilona Romule and Peteris Martinsons - together with each Symposium participant will select one of the created artworks to be dedicated for the symposium exhibition and afterwards to be left at disposal of Symposium organizers. From all selected artworks for the exhibition, Symposium masters will take the decision on 3 best works to be awarded with following money prizes – 250 EUR for the 1st place, 200 EUR for the 2nd place and 150 EUR for the 3rd best artwork.

APPLICATION FOR THE SYMPOSIUM "MEDITATION LIGHT" IS OPEN!

We sincerely invite artists to apply for the symposium "Mediation Light" which is an opportunity to create permanent light objects/ sculptures for Cesis Medieval Castle Park.

Please, fill in the APPLICATION FORM and send your creative CV, as well as 3-5 photos of your works to e-mail ilze.bumbiere@ita.lv.

More information under the webpage section "Meditation light 12-21 Jul 2013".

MATERIALS ON LITHOPHANE

Please, visit the Blair Museum of Lithophanes webpage for materials on Litophane technique.

APPLICATION FOR LITHOPHANE MASTERCLASS AND SYMPOSIUM ON MASCULINE AND FEMININE CERAMICS IS OPEN!

Application for the Lithophane masterclass and the Symposium is OPEN! Please, apply through the links provided under "Fee" sections. If you are willing to participate in both events, please, fill out both application forms!