On 10 May, the Swedish Ambassador to Latvia, Karin Höglund, opened the textile exhibition Re Rag Rug at the Rothko Museum in Daugavpils.
Re Rag Rug is an experimental design project by Swedish artists Katarina Brieditis and Katarina Evans. This artistic art experiment consists of twelve distinct rugs, each crafted using a different off-beat technique. Over the course of twelve months, the Re Rag Rug creations emerged from a diverse array of textiles, including textile waste and worn-out garments. Everyday materials served as the foundation for the artists' innovative approach, which encompassed a range of techniques such as sewing, weaving, crocheting, knitting, knotting, winding, cutting, appliqué, embroidery, dyeing, and batiking. Application of these methods resulted in a variety of structural effects and three-dimensional forms.
Throughout their creative journey, the artists embraced freedom of expression, all while striving for high artistic merit. Central to their approach was the usage of recycled materials, infusing each work with a sense of purpose and sustainability. The artists note: ‘Our design process begins with an intimate interaction between our hands and the material, as we explore techniques that highlight the unique qualities of each material. This is followed by an artistic exploration where we envision possibilities to enhance, evolve, and potentially transform. The constrained colour palette served both as an additional challenge and as inspiration.’
Re Rag Rug exhibition has travelled continents, captivating audiences in Australia, Hong Kong, France, Italy, Japan, the UK, and Sweden. The expansive showcase of the exhibition has underscored the artists’ conviction in the significance of this art. Moreover, it has led to the realisation that beyond design and textiles, matters pertaining to material consumption, recycling, and sustainability are topical all around the world.
Before the exhibition, both artists led a workshop for students of the textile programme at the Centre of Competence for Arts Education “Daugavpils School of Design and Art ‘Saules skola’”. Artists elaborated on the process of making the decorative carpets and explained the concept of sustainability in art. They also shared the creative idea behind the artworks and gladly shared with students details about the applied artistic techniques.
The exhibition was on display at the Rothko Museum until 18 May, when the international museum event “Night of Museums” took place for the 20th time in Latvia, attracting more than 180 770 visitors. The Rothko Museum, which hosted the exhibition in its entrance foyer, had the highest number of registered visitors – 13 525.
The exhibition was then moved to Rēzekne – in the entrance gallery of the GORS concert hall. In his opening speech on 21 May, our colleague Vadim Murašovs thanked the artists and the partners for fruitful co-operation to make this exhibition such a success. While underlining the potential of art to spark a conversation about sustainable living and its long-term implications, he also highlighted the diverse functionality of carpets and their ability to change the acoustics of a room, which is crucial in a concert hall.
The exhibition will be showcased in Rēzekne until 16 June.
Entrance: free of charge.
