Exhibition “On the Shoulders of the Water God”

When Aspazija wrote a hundred years ago in the collection “Tricolor Sun” – “Like a white-winged gull on the shoulders of the Water God, a boat floats waiting on the waves…” – she addressed young people, inviting them to “get into the boat” – to fulfill their dreams and build a better and more harmonious world. We also live in a time of change, when the world order built in previous years changes and can collapse in an instant. We can no longer live in illusions that the beauty of the world will be eternal and will save us. Another point of view is needed – each of us can save the world by changing our inner world and becoming better and more human. Artists are a kind of radar of society. It’s not for nothing that this year’s exhibition also sounds an alarming note: “Floods can be close…” We are all connected by the same blood flow – the water flow. Without changes in the thinking of each person, without the spiritual growth of society, there will be no future. However, the exhibition is also a small moment of joy in a changing world. Stories related to the unknown nature, joy, fear, and magic of the sea have come to life in the works of artists. In the introduction to the already mentioned collection of poems “Tricolor Sun”, Aspazija wrote: “And the tricolor sun shines over everything: soon blue, soon green, soon red.” In the context of the events of recent years, I would like to give this motto the meaning of inevitable eternal change – everything will pass, like the bad, like the good. This year, the jury selected the work of more than 140 artists from 10 countries for the “Marīna 2023” competition exhibition, which is taking place at the Jūrmala Museum. For the first time in the context of the “Marīna” biennale, sculptural works and objects in various materials can be seen, some of which are exhibited in the Jūrmala Open Air Museum. The jury consisted of five specialists and worked under the leadership of Latvian Academy of Arts professor Aleksej Naumov. The laureates are traditionally announced at the opening of the exhibition when the main prize is presented, as well as the laureate in the art student category. Audience voting will take place during the exhibition.

Art scientist, curator Inga Bunkše

Visual identity – Anitra Eglīte-Poikāne, Bumbierkoks

The exhibition was created with the support of Jurmala City Council