A Visual History of Photography in Latvia

Since 2021, ISSP has underatken a major research project, working on an upcoming anthology on the history of photography in Latvia, to be published in 2025. 

Photography still remains an under-examined branch of Latvian art history. Certain artists, periods and phenomena have received scholarly attention, providing a fragmentary impression of a very broad field. The last attempt to provide a coherent narrative of the history of photography in Latvia – 1985's survey book “Photo Art in Latvia. History and Today”– strongly embodies Soviet ideology. In the 21st century, Latvian photography researchers have a dual mission: to construct and deconstruct at the same time, filling in significant blank spots while critically evaluating established narratives.

PUBLICATION

A Visual History of Photography in Latvia will contain more than 100 images and essays by leading Latvian art historians and photography experts on significant artists and turning points in the history of the medium from the 19th century to the present. Along with information on photographers from pre-war photographers Vilis Rīdzenieks, Roberts Johansons and the Strenči workshop to Soviet-era photojournalists, documentarians and the groundbreaking "A grupa" photographers, up to 21st century contemporary practitioners. The publication will also include thematic and critically oriented essays on local styles and movements in photography, research into women in photography, as well as links between photographic imagery and national identity.

Participating researchers and authors:
Līga Goldberga, Evita Goze, Santa Hirša, Zigmārs Jauja, Laine Kristberga, Jana Kukaine, Toms Ķencis, Lauma Lanceniece, Ieva Laube, Līga Lindenbauma, Ieva Melgalve, Šelda Puķīte, Ieva Raudsepa, Santa Remere, Elīna Ruka, Krišs Salmanis, Katrīna Teivāne, Alise Tīfentāle, Toms Zariņš, Liāna Ivete Žilde and more.

Supporters: State Cultural Capital Foundation of Latvia, Riga City Council, SIA MOOZ!, Arctic Paper

EXHIBITIONS

In 2024, the two-part Contemporary Histories of Photography exhibition served as an open comment on the way to the publication. Artists Kristīne Krauze-Slucka, Agate Tūna, Annemarija Gulbe and Konstantin Zhukov created new works that engage in dialogue with photographers and phenomena from various historical periods. The exhibitions highlight the subjectivity inherent in every historical narrative, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of local photography history – paranormal practices, forgotten archives of women's photography, the visual history of queer communities, and the connection between photography and poetic documentary cinema. The interpretations and milestones of alternative histories presented by this new generation of artists illuminate the diversity of experiences and perspectives, offering a departure from potentially didactic canonical versions. Contemporary Histories of Photography encourages us to embrace the changing nature of history, recognizing that our understanding of the past is in constant flux. 

Kristīne Krauze-Slucka, Agate Tūna: Contemporary Histories of Photography I
Annemarija Gulbe, Konstantīns Žukovs: Contemporary Histories of Photography II