A new photographic project „Flowers” of the London-based, talented artist Arnis Balčus will open at the Riga Gallery on 14 January 2008. The exhibition will consist of large-size colour photographs, revealing a peculiar story about people as a metaphor of the flower. The artist has developed this theme, taking photos of people of different sexes (men, women, transpersons), races and ages in their apartments; before the sessions they had to choose their favourite flower or plant. Models are captured naked to diminish the role of clothes influencing their images and characters. Humans are left anonymous as works are titled by the names of flowers. As models are placed in a familiar and safe environment, having a flower behind which to „hide”, photos feature a natural atmosphere and nakedness embarrass neither the model nor the viewer. This project also asks if flowers, like pets, could describe their owners.
The artist’s first large solo exhibition „Episodes” was on view at the Riga Gallery 1st and 2nd floor in September 2006. Balčus demonstrated stories in the series of black-and-white photographs based on B-category film aesthetics and comic strips, playing with stereotyped and banal love stories, and reversing them to create a chain of fresh associations.
Arnis Balčus is Latvian photographer educated at the Westminster University in London (2005). He has held several solo exhibitions in European galleries and museums. This year the artist participated in the prestigious Zoo Art Fair in London. He is the famous art critic and curator Mathew Bown Gallery artist, participant of the International Art Fair Art Moscow. In March 2008 Balčus will represent Latvia with his latest project at the topmost place for contemporary art exhibitions - „Vinzavod” in Moscow.
Balčus’ works are published in many art and style magazines in Europe and USA (Dazed & Confused, The New York Magazine, SoulMag, Photographie, Black and White Magazine etc.) and included in private collections in Great Britain, USA, Germany, Switzerland, etc.
Exhibition at the Riga Gallery supported by
the State Culture Capital Foundation.
Printing house ULMA
Additional information:
http://www.arnisbalcus.co.uk |
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ARNIS BALCUS. Sword fern. 2006
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ARNIS BALCUS. Poinsettia
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ARNIS BALCUS. Gerbera
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ARNIS BALCUS. Matthiola
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