From 9 November 2018 to 6 January 2019, the Creative Studio of the ARSENĀLS Exhibition Hall of the Latvian National Museum of Art in Riga (Torņa iela 1, 2nd floor) will show Kārlis Vītols’ personal exhibition The End.
In Greek mythology, prophet Tiresias foretold a long life for the infant Narcissus, if “he never catches a glimpse of himself”. Nymph Echo, who was deprived of speech and independent thoughts by goddess Hera, fell in love with the youth from the depths of her heart, but was unable to make it known and turned into an unembodied voice that could only repeat words said by others. The beautiful Narcissus rejected her love, and his cold-heartedness provoked the anger of the goddess of revenge, Nemesis, who saw to it that Narcissus drank from the spring at the foot of Mount Helicon, the home of the Muses, saw his reflection in the pool of water, endlessly fell in love with it and turned into a narcissus flower.*
The main character of Kārlis Vītols’ latest animation, heavenly count Pīlādzis (in Latvian: Rowan), sees himself younger in the reflection in the water. And, despite having woken up old one morning, having had breakfast and understood that from this moment on he will only be able to think of his future plans in past form, as a slave of self-loving enchantment he is only able to observe his own withering away from aside. Pīlādzis turns to various cliché survival strategies – the breasts and legs of pretty girls, a house with a pool, a fancy car and unending sleepless nights.
Perhaps without even suspecting it himself, Pīlādzis has been caught by midlife crisis, which is a state of transition in the process of self-awareness and may strike at ages 35–64. Psychotherapists describe this phenomenon as a psychological crisis and relate it to advancing age, the recognition of one’s own mortality and possible unfulfilled plans. Yet does such midlife crisis even exist? Maybe Pīlādzis has simply realised he will never become a famous superstar or the richest man in the world?
* Graves, Robert. The Greek Myths. – London: Penguin Books, 1992, pp. 170–171
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Kārlis Vītols is a painter, graphic artist and animator. The artist has created his animated films both as separate works and as part of exhibitions of painting. The author’s films, made about different subjects and in various techniques, have earned recognition not only in Latvia but also internationally.
In late 2014, Kārlis Vītols’ debut in the genre of fiction film saw its premiere – a short film in the technique of s3D, which is part of Rīga 2014 s3D project – film Riga 2041. Meanwhile his 2016 short animated film Minotaur has received awards at the Latvian National Film Festival Lielais Kristaps, 21st Riga International Film Festival 2ANNAS, EU-China Film Festival and elsewhere.
EXHIBITION CURATOR:
Līna Birzaka-Priekule, Exhibition Curator,
Head of the Creative Studio at the ARSENĀLS Exhibition Hall, Latvian National Museum of Art
Ph: (+371) 67 716115, E: Lina.Priekule@lnmm.lv
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ARSENĀLS Exhibition Hall of the Latvian National Museum of Art / Torņa iela 1, Riga, Latvia
OPENING HOURS:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays 11.00–18.00, ticket office 11.00–17.45
Thursdays 11.00–20.00, ticket office 11.00–19.45
Saturdays, Sundays 12.00–17.00, ticket office 12.00–16.45
Closed on Mondays
The museum is closed on all public holidays: 1 January, Good Friday, Easter, Midsummer Eve and Day (23–24 June), Christmas (25–26 December), 31 December.
ADMISSION:
Reduced individual admission fee for groups of 10 or more people.
Free admission for the person in charge of the group.
Adults: 1,50 EUR
Schoolchildren, students, seniors: 1,00 EUR
Free admission for LNMA Annual ticket holders.
Free entry is also for: pre-school children; orphans or children not under parental care (valid status identification card required); children with a disability up to 18 years, 1st and 2nd group disabled persons (valid status identification card required) and one person accompanying either a child with a disability up to 18 years or a 1st or 2nd group disabled person; pupils of Latvian art schools or professional secondary art schools (valid status identification card required); full-time students of the Art Academy of Latvia (valid status identification card required); students attending institutions of professional secondary education or colleges who are studying or receiving training in visual or applied art, design, cultural history, museology, architecture, restoration as part of their studies or training (on submission of a written application to the museum director at least one day earlier); employees of Latvian museums (valid status identification card required); members of the International Council of Museums (ICOM, valid status membership card required); members of the Latvian Artists’ Union (valid status identification card required); Friend of the LNMA card holders; media representatives who are covering museum events (valid status identification card required); group (no less than 10 persons) leaders – guides or teachers; everyone on the international event Museum Night from 19.00; all visitors to the permanent display on the last Sunday of every month and on International Museum Day – 18th May.
Press release prepared by:
Natalie Suyunshalieva
Head of Press
The Latvian National Museum of Art
Ph: (+371) 67 357527
E: pr.service@lnmm.lv
I: www.lnmm.lv
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