Strenči Workshop: Return to Sender
English version below ↓
all images by Thomas Vanderberghe
Aicinām piedalīties “Strenči Return to Sender” (“Strenči. Atgriezt sūtītājam”) meistarklasē, ko vadīs fotogrāfs un meilārta (mail art) entuziasts Tomass Vanderberhe (Thomas Vandenberghe).
Pieteikšanās darbnīcai ir vizuālas sarunas uzsākšana ar mākslinieku (pa pastu, lūdzu!). 2024. gada 25. un 26. maija nedēļas nogalē Strenčos tiks rīkota mākslinieka tikšanās ar atlasītu darbnīcas dalībnieku grupu (līdz 8 dalībniekiem), ko vēlāk plānots izvērst nepārtrauktā mākslas darbu apmaiņā pa pastu. Augustā visi vēstulēs nosūtītie darbi tiks apkopoti izstādē, ko atklāsim Strenčos 24. augustā.
Tikšanās ar Tomasu 25. un 26. maijā notiks Strenčos, kur vairāk nekā pirms 100 gadiem Strenču fotodarbnīcas fotogrāfi iemūžināja vietējos ļaudis un laikmeta apkārtējās norises – no ceļu negadījumiem līdz pat Gaujas paliem un saules aptumsumam. Liela daļa fotogrāfiju nonāca ģimenēs albumos, bet daļa tika nosūtīta pa pastu, lai tuviem un tāliem kaimiņiem izziņotu lielākus vai mazākus Strenču sadzīves notikumus. Mestarklases laikā centīsimies izzināt šī saziņas veida vērtību mākslā šodien. Dalībniekiem būs iespēja sarunāties ar Tomasu par meilārtu, fotografēt, dalīties iespaidos, attīstīt fotofilmas un izgatavot darbus laboratorijā Tomasa Vanderberhes un analogo fotoprocesu pazinēja Armanda Andžes (Baltic Analog Lab) vadībā.
Dalība meistarklasē ir bez maksas. Dalībnieki paši apņemas nodrošināt sev transportu, uzturēšanos (nakšņošanu no sestdienas uz svētdienu) un maltītes. Lūdzam ievērot, ka dalībniekiem no ārvalstīm ir nepieciešama ceļojumu apdrošināšana. Viesojoties un nakšņojot Strenčos, mēs iesakām apzināt sabiedriskā transporta pieejamību un kustības sarakstus posmā no Valmieras uz Rīgu.
Meistarklases darba valoda – angļu.
(Pirms pieteikšanās, lūdzam iepazīties ar meistarklases noteikumiem angļu valodā.)
Lai pieteiktos meistarklasei, aizpildiet pieteikuma anketu līdz 27. aprīlim.
Izvēlētie dalībnieki tiks paziņoti 1. maijā.
We invite you to participate in the Strenči Workshop: Return to Sender led by photographer and mail art enthusiast, Thomas Vandenberghe.
By applying to the workshop, you are entering into communication through prints with Thomas (via postal mail, please!). A weekend meeting in person for the selected group of participants (limited to 8) will take place in Strenči on May 25th and 26th, 2024, followed by ongoing mail exchange thereafter. By August, all works will be gathered for an exhibition.
The meeting in Strenči will occur in the very town where, over 100 years ago, photographers from the former Strenči Photo Workshop documented the people and events of their era. Many of these photographs found their way into family albums or were sent via post to report on significant events to the town’s residents. During this weekend, we will try to understand the value of this communication method for artists today. Participants will engage in discussions about Mail Art, take photos, develop films, and make prints under the guidance of Thomas Vandenberghe, with assistance from Armands Andže, an expert in analogue photography and the master at Baltic Analogue Lab.
Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Participants are responsible for their own transportation, accommodation (from Saturday to Sunday), and meals. Don’t forget about travel insurance if you are coming from abroad! When exploring suitable accommodation options, we recommend checking the public transportation schedule from Valmiera and Riga.
The working language is English.
To apply for participation in the workshop, please fill out the application form by April 27th.
The selected participants will be notified on May 1st.
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Meeting in Strenči:
DISCUSSION DAY
Explanation of the origin of Mail Art / Different forms and movements; exploration of the importance and added value of correspondence within one's own body of work; group exploration to identify a common denominator and cohesive theme for setting up an exhibition featuring mail art created during and after the workshop.
May 25th / 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
CREATION DAY
Photography session; developing process; making of photocopies; discussions and sharing impressions.
May 26th / 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
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Location:
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How to Apply:
The application consists of an online form and a postcard (or letter) sent to Thomas Vandenberghe at the following address: Kasteellaan 38, 9000 Gent, Belgium.
The form must be submitted online, and a postcard must be physically sent as part of the application. Mail order must be postmarked no later than April 24th, 2024.
Any incomplete application or those received after the deadline will not be considered. If your postcard does not reach the address, your application will not be considered.
Online applications can be completed in English.
Each letter or postcard sent cannot be returned.
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Useful Information:
Public transportation connections to Rīga and Valmiera:
May 25th:
Bus Rīga – Valmiera: 7:30 AM – 9:40 AM
or train Rīga – Valmiera: 6:46 AM – 09:06 AM
Connected to Bus Valmiera – Strenči (bus stop “Skola”): 9:50 AM – 10:14 AM
May 26th:
Train Strenči – Valmiera – Rīga: 5:18 PM – 7:45 PM
or bus Strenči – Valmiera – Rīga: 7:18 PM – 10:05 PM
Accommodation options in Strenči:
Guest house “Strenči”
+371 20242829
Strenču psihoneiroloģiskās slimnīcas viesnīca
+371 25480566
Event supported by:
Organizētājs: Vladimirs Svetlovs (Orbīta) svetlov@orbita.lv