Latvia's Venice Biennale Pavilion Draws on 1990s Avant-Garde Fashion
Latvia will be represented at the 61st Venice Biennale by Bruno Birmanis alongside the duo Mareunrol's, consisting of Mārite Mastiņa-Pēterkopa and Rolands Pēterkops, from 9 May to 22 November 2026. Their pavilion, titled 'Untamed Assembly,' draws inspiration from the 1991 Untamed Fashion Assembly and explores themes of memory, freedom, and the shift from Soviet governance to a free-market economy. It includes photographs from Birmanis's collection and videos created by British artist Henry Stein. This project resonates with the Biennale's theme 'In Minor Keys,' which emphasizes delicate narratives. The artists have voiced concerns regarding Russia's involvement, given its status as a state sponsor of terrorism, while also paying tribute to ancestors who safeguarded Latvian identity. The event is backed by Versace and ArtReview.
Key facts
- Bruno Birmanis and Mareunrol's represent Latvia at the 61st Venice Biennale.
- The pavilion is in the Arsenale and runs from 9 May to 22 November 2026.
- The installation is titled 'Untamed Assembly' and draws on the 1991 Untamed Fashion Assembly (UFA).
- UFA took place two months after Latvia regained independence in 1991.
- The project uses fashion show backstage aesthetics to explore memory and freedom.
- Archive materials include photographs by Bruno Birmanis and video by Henry Stein.
- The artists express concern over Russia's participation in the Biennale.
- The pavilion is dedicated to ancestors who preserved Latvian identity.
- Important Latvian artists mentioned: Ilmars Blumbergs, Mark Rothko, Vija Celmins, Raimonds Staprans, Daiga Grantiņa.
- Versace partners with ArtReview for the Biennale coverage.
Entities
Artists
- Bruno Birmanis
- Mārite Mastiņa-Pēterkopa
- Rolands Pēterkops
- Mareunrol's
- Henry Stein
- Ilmars Blumbergs
- Mark Rothko
- Vija Celmins
- Raimonds Staprans
- Daiga Grantiņa
- Ralfs Cimmermanis
- Aivars Liepiņš
Institutions
- ArtReview
- Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art
- Central Saint Martins
- European Parliament
- International Criminal Court
- Versace
- Venice Biennale
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Arsenale
- Latvia
- Riga
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Europe