|
Cloth & Culture NOW
the artists - Ieva Krumina, Latvia
I am Latvian, it is essential to me to
live and work in Latvia. Latvian culture gives me a feeling for
home. At the same time I clearly know that in the process of
work I am not thinking
about national identity, historic roots or the Latvian school,
tradition or alike. Figuratively speaking, Latvian identity for
me is a sort of clothing, say, a coat, in which I feel comfortable
and protected against unfamiliar and curious gazes, wind and cold.
The coat might not be made of the best fabric, it can’t boast
of an original and exclusive style, it may be a bit shabby and
out-of date, yet it has something very personal not to be found
anywhere else. But, when I am speaking or thinking about art my
Latvian coat is taken off. Also, when I am a viewer at an exhibition,
museum or theatre I am not only Latvian, as I believe, the soul
is devoid of any nationality, age or sex. All these categories
are significant, but it is art that addresses our heart straightforwardly
and without filters.
I am aware that it is a contradiction, because
in Latvia as everywhere in the world there are National Art, Ethnographic
and History museums where one can see the best creations by the
Latvian nation. Certain style, colour-scheme and compositional
structure exist, which allows us to call this Latvian art, but
actually these are only outward features, since no one has given
a logical definition of the ”soul”.
It is another contradiction, because each individual believes that
they know what soul is.
To my mind, since I was born, have been living
and working in Latvia, my works are Latvian, too, in some respect.
It is like the colour of the sky – seemingly the same everywhere, and, yet, different
at home, and the air has a different smell, as well… (Latvian,
perhaps).
The features of other cultures certainly come
into my works; I remember what I have seen in books, movies or museums elsewhere
in the world, but I know that it is not African, American or Asian
art “as such” that has affected me, but the images,
colours and shapes that “carry” an idea which is of
importance to me in a certain period of life.
I do not view art as Latvian.
The impressions of other cultures are neither good nor bad in themselves.
But, if you are lucky to see art created in different milieu and
time and it can stir your emotions and intellect you feel as if
you have met a close friend. Then what matters, is the joy of meeting
and awareness that somewhere is somebody with the same world view.
You can’t expect all your friends to speak your native language.
Keeping silent together is another sign of friendship.
Latvian textile art is a small part of the
world art, and I won’t
be able to answer the question if we have considerably contributed
to it. I have certainly seen a very brutal, even primitive exploitation
of Latvian artists’ ideas, but I do not think it was the
subject under discussion. However, I would be happy to know that
among Latvians there are artists of any generation capable of addressing
others, initiating a dialogue or affecting the process of thinking.
Riga, 30 October, 2006
LATVIA
|
