“Designing Happiness” presents the exhibition “Baltic Vibe”

“Designing Happiness” presents the exhibition “Baltic Vibe”

There is no denying that the three Baltic countries – Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania – are linked not only by borders on the map but also by their historical heritage and the vibrancy of their collective memory. All these nations are close in their fundamental values, traditions, cultural origins, natural uniqueness, and crafts. This is what inspires local artists, whose work, with its distinctive, unique style, also has common Baltic touchstones. This is what the exhibition “Baltic Vibe” is about.

“Baltic Vibe” presents ceramic and glass design objects by 7 artists from Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia. The works show the authenticity of Baltic culture and nature through the four basic elements that make up the universe – earth, air, fire, and water. Earth is the origin of the water element, and the water of the earth’s depths is considered to be the feminine element. Air is the element of fire, and the divine fire of the heavens is the masculine element. Fire and water are the basis of all worldly activity and creation. The totality of these four elements – the axis that binds and evokes everything – is man, like the tree of life standing at the center of the four basic elements.

Traditional crafts, contemporary technologies, and the individual creative identity of the artists are intertwined in the concepts of the works. Organic forms, lines, plastic and technical means of expression and colorfulness are used to reveal the authenticity of the Baltic nature, the uniqueness of the cultural heritage, and the uniqueness of the Baltic States. The artists’ creative explorations, the dynamics of textures, and forms reveal the diverse Baltic landscape, the sea, dunes, sand, lakes, rivers, wetlands, rocks, and natural phenomena characteristic of the Baltic climate, intertwined with Baltic mythology and folklore.

The exhibition includes works by Laura Raine (Lithuania), Monika Gedrimaitė (Lithuania), Baiba Dzenite (Latvia), Ieva Birģele (Latvia), Janis Kononovs (Latvia), Kristel Kärdi (Estonia), and Maria Kim (Estonia).

Donata Jutkienė, Curator of the exhibition.

Valentina Kovališina, Project Manager