SURVIVAL KIT http://www.lcca.lv/projekti/survival/
September 12- 19, 2009 Riga, Empty shops on the main shopping streets, former VEF factory, old part of city 'Survival Kit' is an art project, in whose framework artists are asked to reflect upon a variety of survival strategies in the modern world. Currently, this theme is actively preoccupying the minds of the global community and it has also become especially topical in Latvia. The present situation is characterised by the fiasco of liberal capitalism, the collapse of the economy, threats to the ecology and escalation of regional conflicts. Waking up from a perpetually cultivated euphoria causes re-evaluation of habitual system of values and reconsider „the sense of life'. The world is experiencing huge changes, but it is not clear whether they are for better or worse. The absence of either clear vision or a prognosis for the future increases uncertainty and paralysis. So what is the scenario for future developments? There are various options available; hopelessness and total crisis, or creative approaches and the opportunity, through experimentation, to give the present situation a new and positive quality. What can artists do in this situation? Develop adventurous experiments and iniciate creative explosions to use advantage of the present situation. If there isn't an appropriate moment for heroic narratives and representative events they could focus on exploration of everyday poetics, marginal footnotes, spontaneous manifestations and interventions. With minimal resources they could achieve surprising results by implementing DIY praxis, arte pover, ready made resources, performance and other activities, which will provide the basis for a collective experience. The artists are invited to contribute unusual strategies, innovative suggestions or unusual recipes for the survival kit that would help us to cope with the present situation. The artists are invited to focus on the changes in the city's environment, to meet in creative ghettos, where the artistic spirit is still alive. To occupy the empty shop spaces and fill the void, created by the economic crisis, with creative energy. They should act as mobile units which could actively respond to changes in the situation or, the exact opposite; they could create a safe haven, in which to weather the hard times. Perhaps it is just the right time to stop, escape from „workaholism', find time to reflect and realise that the economy must become ecologically sound, food must be healthy, industry must be efficient and effective, and politics must be transparent and responsive to the community. Exhibition will be opened on September 12, 2009 in Riga as one of the main events within Riga White Nights programme. _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
