Survival Kit Festival at Riga's Vidzeme Market Explores Socialist-African Ties
The contemporary art festival, Survival Kit, is taking place at the Vidzeme Market in Riga, Latvia, through October 8, 2023. Initiated by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA) in 2009 as a response to the economic crisis in Latvia, this year's theme is "Long-distance Friendships." Curated by Inga Lāce and Alicia Knock, the exhibition examines cultural interactions between African nations and countries within the socialist bloc from the 1960s to the 1990s. Artists featured include Yonamine, Angela Ferreira, Nikolay Karabinovych, and the collective DAVRA. Highlights consist of Yonamine's homage to activist Paulo Kapela, Ferreira's nod to Algeria's anti-colonial struggle, and Karabinovych's sound piece utilizing Soviet vinyl records, alongside stories of Guinean students detained under dictator Touré.
Key facts
- Survival Kit festival runs until October 8, 2023 at Vidzeme Market in Riga.
- Organized by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA).
- Festival founded in 2009 as response to Latvia's economic crisis.
- 2023 edition titled 'Long-distance Friendships' curated by Inga Lāce and Alicia Knock.
- Exhibition focuses on cultural exchanges between socialist bloc and African countries (1960s-1990s).
- Vidzeme Market is one of Europe's largest covered markets, hosting diverse communities.
- Yonamine's installation 'The keeper' honors Angolan activist Paulo Kapela.
- Angela Ferreira's 'Klucis goes to Algeria' references Latvian constructivist Gustav Klucis.
- DAVRA collective researches Tashkent Film Festival of Friendship of Peoples (1968-1988).
- Jihan El Tahri's film 'Cinema died at Camp Boiro' documents imprisoned Guinean students.
- Nikolay Karabinovych's 'My Melodia' uses Soviet label Melodia records from Riga.
Entities
Artists
- Inga Lāce
- Alicia Knock
- Yonamine
- Angela Ferreira
- Nikolay Karabinovych
- DAVRA
- Jihan El Tahri
- Costa Diagne
- Paulo Kapela
- Gustav Klucis
Institutions
- Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA)
- Vidzeme Market
- Melodia
- Istituto di Cinematografia a Mosca
- Camp Boiro
Locations
- Riga
- Latvia
- Moscow
- Russia
- Angola
- Algeria
- Guinea
- Uzbekistan
- Tashkent
- Africa
- Portugal
- France
- USSR