In the theater house Sea gate the exhibited paintings of Dita Luce will form a kind of story about light as an image that illuminates various things that are worth thinking about in this dark autumn time.
“Light is always important in visual art, but I am interested in painting light as an object and time as the present, where memories of the past and what is seen now merge. The momentary x-ray prism gives the opportunity to stop the moment, to reveal the invisible, very personal imprint. In a flash of light, the bones turn into a conditional ornament, into a pattern. The bone ornaments of living creatures that I paint also philosophically remind me of mortality, of life, of the allotted time. Time, only in the form of the past, is also present in the patterns of the tiles, the patterns of the marble floors and the openwork in the metal forgings. I would like to create the illusion in my works that time acts as another or fourth dimension, and let the viewer’s imagination run wild. And the work of art, if I succeed, grabs the viewer and allows them to be out of time for a moment. The laconic color palette allows you to clean the message from the excess and increase the emotional saturation. We can only see the x-ray illuminated wonder thanks to the black background that highlights the beautiful gray to bright white ornamental patterns. Black without white, light is depth, silence, darkness. In order to achieve harmony, black must be raised to other heights, awakening the light,” says the author.
Dita Lūse received her art education in Latvia (MA, Latvian Art Academy, 1996), Denmark and the USA. The artist’s CV includes almost forty personal exhibitions. Dita regularly participates in group and juried exhibitions in Latvia and the world. Received recognition in various art competitions, including the international competition Art Olympia in Japan, Art Revolution Taipei in Taiwan, Aviskar competition in Calcutta, India. The artist’s works have also been selected by juries for internationally important art projects, such as the Beijing Biennale in China, Laguna Art in Venice, Italy and NordArt in Budelsdorf, in Germany. The artist’s works are in public and private collections in Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Greece, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, Great Britain, USA, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and India.
In the gallery, master of black and white photographs, architect Jānis Bartašević presents his vision of the famous Lewis Carroll character Alice Through the Looking Glass, including it in the modern landscape. At the exhibition Alice in the Looking Glass there will be other story characters and different moods. The works search for a border between the real and the unreal, the material and the immaterial, which forces the viewer to look beyond the framed frame, to see the everyday invisible. It should be noted that the pictures are not photoshop montages, but the author uses glass when photographing to realize the creative idea with the outlines of reflections.
Jānis Bartasevics graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of RTU and has been working in his chosen profession for decades, but in recent years, parallel to architectural projects, he has more actively focused on the pictorial aspects of photography, using various technical tools and searching for new image aesthetics. Works in nature, urban environment, and portrait genre.
Exhibitions are supported by the municipality of Ventspils and the State Cultural Capital Fund. The exhibitions will be on display until December 29.
Entrance is free.
Art Illuminated: Dita Lūse and the Curious Case of Alice in the Looking Glass
Welcome to the art world—a realm where light dances, bones become patterns, and you can stare at a wall for hours pretending it’s a window to the cosmos. Let’s dive into the current exhibitions at the Sea Gate theater house, featuring the intriguing works of Dita Lūse and Jānis Bartašević!
Bright Ideas: Dita Lūse and the Art of Light
Now, if you think light is just for switching on in darkened rooms or that annoying thing you squint at during a sunny day, allow Dita to enlighten you—or at the very least, shine a gentle glow on your understanding of light in visual art.
In her works, Lūse explores the idea of light not just illuminating topics, but as an entity unto itself, merging past and present into a kaleidoscopic combination of memory and reality. Imagine a time machine, except instead of aging, you’re just getting more fabulous every moment! She muses on mortality using bone patterns—yes, bones! Who knew they could be so fashionable? Forget about your grandma’s doilies; these decorative skeletons remind us that we are all just a brief flicker in the vast existence of the universe, or as my friend would say, “one malfunctioning toaster away from oblivion.”
With the black background showcasing her striking color palette, Dita crafts an atmosphere where you might just forget your problems—or at least be momentarily distracted from them. It’s like going to therapy, but cheaper, as long as you don’t mind a bit of existential dread.
Marvelling Through the Looking Glass: An Architectural Adventure
Now stepping right into the whimsical world of Lewis Carroll, we have the master of black and white photography, Jānis Bartašević, who takes us on a journey through Alice in the Looking Glass. What’s more puzzling than the Mad Hatter’s tea party? The fact that Bartašević manages to combine the surreal with our everyday landscape—where mirrors are not just for checking your hair but can also serve as gateways to imaginative realms. Seriously, there might be a rabbit in there!
We must stress, these aren’t your typical photoshop montages. Oh no, Jānis employs actual glass in his photography, elevating reflections and outlines to create an experience that begs you to look a little closer. Think of it as Instagram for the intellectually curious—who knew looking through a glass could be a revelation rather than just a pane of regret?
His architectural background shines through, no pun intended, in the aesthetics of his works as they dance on the border between reality and artistry. Just be careful not to lean too far into the frame—you might get sucked into a whimsical world where clocks run backwards and nothing makes sense (kind of like Monday mornings).
Supporting Art: A Community Effort
Both exhibitions are brought to life with backing from the municipality of Ventspils and the State Cultural Capital Fund, proving that the arts are indeed a communal affair—like a potluck, only instead of food, you bring your aesthetic enjoyment. What’s not to love with free admission? Who wouldn’t want to stroll through art that’s mind-bending, maybe a bit soul-searching, and ultimately free? It’s the golden era of cultural experiences, and all you have to do is show up.
In the theater house Sea Gate, an evocative exhibition showcases the captivating paintings of Dita Luce, weaving a narrative centered around light—an illuminating force that encourages contemplation during this somber autumn season.
“Light is a fundamental aspect of visual art, yet I am particularly drawn to depicting light as an object itself, intertwining it with the essence of time as it exists in the present. My work explores the convergence of past memories with current perceptions. Utilizing a momentary x-ray prism, I aim to freeze a moment in time and unveil the invisible, deeply personal impressions that lie beneath the surface. In this fleeting illumination, the bones transform into intricate ornaments and patterns. The bone motifs of living beings that I render in my paintings serve as poignant reminders of mortality, life, and the finite nature of our existence. The remnants of time, reflected in tile patterns, marble floor designs, and ornamental metalwork, are also embedded in my compositions. I aspire to cultivate an illusion where time emerges as an additional, or perhaps even a fourth, dimension, unleashing the viewer’s imagination. Ideally, my artwork will seize the viewer, granting them a brief escape from the confines of time. A carefully chosen, minimal color palette helps distill the message, heightening its emotional impact. The ethereal x-ray wonders become visible against a stark black background, which accentuates the striking gray to brilliant white ornamental elements. Black embodies depth, silence, and darkness, while light is born from it. To achieve harmony, this absence must be elevated, awakening the light,” articulates the artist.
Dita Lūse’s impressive art education includes a Master’s degree from the Latvian Art Academy obtained in 1996, as well as studies in Denmark and the USA. Her illustrious career features nearly forty solo exhibitions, complemented by regular participation in numerous group and juried showcases both in Latvia and internationally. Lūse has received accolades in various art competitions, including the prestigious Art Olympia in Japan, Art Revolution Taipei in Taiwan, and the Aviskar competition in Calcutta, India. Her work has been showcased in significant global art events, such as the Beijing Biennale in China, Laguna Art in Venice, Italy, and NordArt in Budelsdorf, Germany. Her creations have found homes in both public and private collections across a multitude of countries including Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, France, Italy, and the USA.
In the gallery, the master of black and white photography, architect Jānis Bartašević, presents a contemporary interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s iconic character, Alice Through the Looking Glass, juxtaposing her within a modern landscape. This exhibition, entitled Alice in the Looking Glass, also features other beloved characters from the story, exploring various moods and inviting viewers to ponder the delicate line between reality and fantasy. Bartašević’s artwork encourages viewers to look beyond the surface of the framed images, revealing the everyday elements that typically go unnoticed. Notably, the photographs are not mere Photoshop montages; instead, the artist employs the medium of glass to create captivating reflections that enhance his creative vision.
Jānis Bartasevics, a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at RTU, has devoted decades to his architectural career. In recent years, alongside his architectural projects, he has increasingly delved into the artistic possibilities of photography, employing diverse technical tools to discover new aesthetic dimensions in his imagery. His work spans various settings, including nature, urban environments, and the portrait genre.
These exhibitions are generously supported by the municipality of Ventspils and the State Cultural Capital Fund. Attendees can enjoy these fascinating displays until December 29.
Entrance is free.
