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 Places, Owners, Offers Marita Batņa, Culture Theorist Gallery 'Sidegunde' | |
| Gallery "Sidegunde" has derived its name from the ancient name of Sidgunda, a village located in Mālpils rural municipality. The name means "confluence" - the rivers Mergupe and Suda come together at the castle mound of ancient Sidegunde. Thus, the name of the gallery symbolizes the aspiration to create a confluence of two generations of artists. The idea was born during a trip to Paris and has been implemented by designer Helēna Medne and young artist Jānis Dukāts. In 2007 they founded an association and opened the gallery. The roles of the tandem are divided up: Helēna Medne works with the generation of experienced artists; Jānis Dukāts cooperates with the young artists. Gallery "Sidegunde" is located in Riga at 224 Brīvības Street (Building #5) in the spacious premises of the Latvian Association of Sworn Auditors. There is a lot of free room to exhibit artwork; and the gallery owners themselves are happy to guide the visitors through the works on display. The gallery has partnerships with a number of artists, resulting in exhibitions and joint projects (for example, traditional plein-air tours to Mālpils). The gallery takes up a leading role in projects that promote careers of individual artists. The owners of "Sidegunde" have chosen to promote painting, sculpture and graphic art; future plans include textile art and ceramics. Not to mention all names, the gallery is represented by masters such as Biruta Delle, Biruta Baumane, Laimonis Blumbergs, Daina Dag-nija, Baņuta Ancāne, Vilis Ozols, Imants Vecozols, Jānis Anmanis, Pēteris Postažs, Jurģis Skulme, Džemma Skulme, Vladislavs Grišins, Juris Dimiters. Young artists include Laura Vecmane, Zane Balode, Sanda Undzāne, Maija Mackus, Reinis Liepa, Elīna Zunde, Kristīne Luīze Avotiņa, Kristīne Kvitka, Artūrs Bērziņš, Atis Jēkabsons, Jānis Dukāts. It must be clarified that "Sidegunde" is not a formal association of artists. | |
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| The gallery favours thematic exhibitions: for example, the second half of 2008 was characterized by landscape and still life. It must be noted that the synergy created by different generations is quite powerful, as it creates an intriguing and fresh interpretation of the classics. Works are carefully selected, and the priority is given to quality. This approach promises regular encounters with the creative work of artists who exhibit at "Sidegunde". The far-reaching experience and the open-minded outlook of the gallery owners allow the viewer to develop an interest in particular artists. All works are owned by the artists and can be purchased at the time of the exhibitions, as well a few months after the shows. The gallery does not have its own stock of works. A long-term goal of gallery "Sidegunde" is to promote the professionalism of art lovers and, especially, art collectors. Helēna Medne notes that "the current task is to develop the market in the right way". This statement is followed up by various activities. The premises are well-suited for lectures: the course in history of culture, presented by art historians, has been successful. There are plans to offer a specialized introductory course in the history of art, and, in this respect, it has been suggested that economic aspects could be addressed as well. These courses may well be attractive to the regular gallery visitors and future art collectors. Speaking of prices for Latvian artwork, Helēna Medne, prefers the hierarchical approach: the authority of an artist must grow step by step. She presumes that a young artist's work should not be appraised at much above 1000 lats, as there can be a risk of "burning in numbers". Jānis Dukāts partially supports assessment of works by experience: different factors can apply and prior criteria may be invalidated. In general, they both admit that artists of all generations represent a wide range of personal views about assessment of their art, and that must be taken into account. | |
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