Rothko Museum’s ceramic symposium poised to conclude with exhibitions, a public lecture and a fiery performance
On Friday, 17 May, the 12th Ceramic Laboratory Symposium will conclude with three new exhibitions and a public lecture by the award-wining Latvian ceramicist Ilona Romule.
The symposium was officially launched on 2 May with an exhibition at the 4METRES Gallery, showcasing the works the participant artists had put forward in their symposium applications. What followed was a whirlwind of activity, with the artists exploring the city of Daugavpils and its iconic fortress to draw inspiration for their new creations. The symposium team is still at work in the studios, firing the kilns, doing practical demonstrations, and sharing their experience and expertise in master classes.
The symposium will come to a grand finale on 17 May. At 2 p.m. in the Rothko Museum’s conference space, the award-winning Latvian artist Ilona Romule will give a lecture on the lithophane technique in porcelain art. At 4 p.m. the museum will officially close the symposium by unveiling a new exhibition featuring the participants’ symposium output.
Additionally, the museum will open a satellite exhibition in the symposium programme – “Hope through Children’s Eyes” by Ukrainian artist Viacheslav Pasynok. The multiple ceramic objects featured in this poignant travelling display, each one a symbol of resilience and hope, were made under the artist’s mentorship by Ukrainian children seeking refuge from air strikes in a Kharkiv metro station. Last but not least, Poland’s representative at the symposium, Alicja Buławka-Fankidejska, will unveil her solo exhibition “Possible Forms” at the Rothko Museum’s Martinsons House.
The symposium will wave goodbye in style at 11 p.m. on 18 May in the Martinsons House garden, where Alicja Buławka-Fankidejska and Dmitri Buławka-Fankidejski from Poland will deliver a spectacular kiln firing performance on a large-scale ceramic sculpture.
All symposium events are available free of charge.
Today, clay cuts across the disciplines of pottery, design, sculpture, and beyond. In the symposium context, it brings together artists who have chosen it as their medium. The 12th Ceramic Laboratory Symposium team included Robert Buček (Czechia), Ilona Romule (Latvia), Otar Vepkhvadze (Georgia), Rima Leipuvienė (Lithuania), Srinia Chowdhury (India), Diāna Boitmane (Latvia), Lilija Zeiļa (Latvia), Una Gura (Latvia), Ilona Abdulajeva (Latvia), Nellija Dzalba (Latvia), Kristīne Nicmane (Latvia), Ayhatun Ateşin (Cyprus), Kaan Canduran (Turkey), Alicja Buławka-Fankidejska (Poland) and Dmitrij Buławka-Fankidejski (Poland).
The symposium exhibition remains on show at the Rothko Museum through 25 August 2024. “Hope through Children’s Eyes” by Viacheslav Pasynok will only be available from 17 to 18 May. “Possible Forms” by Alicja Buławka-Fankidejska is on view at the Martinsons House till 25 August 2024.
The symposium is organised by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Ceramics in cooperation with the Rothko Museum and LAMA DAZZ Studio.
Financial support: State Culture Capital Foundation, Cultural Programme for Latgale and Daugavpils City Council.
