The exhibition crosses the boundaries between the visible and invisible, the material and immaterial, the past and the future — bringing together works that delve into memory, identity, transformation, and perception. In doing so, it reveals how contemporary artists confront and reinterpret the forces that shape both individual and collective consciousness, offering vital perspectives on who we are in an era of global upheaval.
Presented as part of the Nordic & Baltic Young Artist Award, this exhibition highlights the voices of a new generation of artists from leading academies across the region. The exhibited artists are nominees of the Nordic & Baltic Young Artist Award 2024, selected by an international jury from among 283 artworks submitted to the competition. Founded in 2016 by the Nordic Baltic Art Center NOBA (NOBA.ac), the award has become a springboard for young artists, offering them international visibility at a pivotal stage in their careers.
“This exhibition offers a strong overview of the region’s up-and-coming stars, showcasing how Nordic and Baltic art education nurtures innovation and depth. We are delighted to host it here in Riga and bring these fresh perspectives to our audience,” says Andris Vītoliņš, Vice‑Rector at the Art Academy of Latvia
The body—both human and mechanical—becomes a focal point of exploration, a fragile system shaped by external forces and internal conflicts. Some works examine the materiality of flesh, revealing the tension between the organic and the synthetic, the functional and the broken. Others deconstruct self-perception, exposing the contradictions between how we see ourselves and how we are seen by others. Through abstraction and distortion, these pieces challenge traditional representations of identity, revealing the layers beneath the surface.
At the heart of the exhibition is an exploration of personal and collective histories, where forgotten narratives resurface and mythology merges with contemporary existence. Through installations, painting, video, photography, and sound, artists weave together archival traces, oral histories, and personal reflections to uncover deeper truths.
“This exhibition invites you to imagine objects as instruments, environments as sonic landscapes, and photography as layered realities,” says Estonian curator Andra Orn. “Space, sound, and movement expand beyond their limits, light and shadow create shifting dialogues, and nothing remains fixed. It becomes a journey through the subconscious and the surreal — art as a living presence that reshapes how we see and feel.”
Curator: Andra Orn
Coordinator: Elīza Muzikante
Scenographer: Hugo Bērziņš
05.07.2025 – 23.08.2025
Artists: Mara Marie Kirchberg (EE, Grand Prix Winner), Ameena Alali (SE), Elena Laurinavičiūtė (LT), Alise Builevica(LV), David Danell (SE), Charlotte Clermont (FI), Johanna Saikkonen (FI, Painting Award Winner), Marc Léger Sauvageot(EE), Mikko Ängeslevä (FI), Kirke Kuiv (EE, Photo and Public Award Winner), Diana Luganski (FI)
