RIGA's CREATIVE QUARTERS Authors INTRODUCTION
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
RIGA's CREATIVE QUARTERs AUThORs INTRODUCTION The burgeoning of creative initiatives in Creativity in contemporary cities In 2011, the subsequent development — Ieva Zībārte, — Evelīna Ozola, Riga can be traced to the deterioration is fundamental to the education of the quarters was evaluated, trends of the economic situation in 2008 and of the populace, a necessary aspect analyzed, and conclusions drawn about research director, researcher, article author 2009, which left display windows on of cultural diversity and economic successes and failures. In June and July the first storeys of the city’s buildings growth. Richard Florida, an American 2011, Riga’s creative quarters were sur- publication editor Qualified as Architect at Riga Technical University empty. Many people who had become philosopher focused on city planning, veyed; interviews were conducted with and received a Master’s degree in Urbanism from unemployed decided to apply themselves has theorized that creativity is the more than 40 new entrepreneurs, the Qualified as Architect at Riga Technical University Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. to pursuits close to their hearts, driving force behind the develop- curators of cultural processes, artists, and received a Master’s degree in the social sciences Has worked at MADE arhitekti, as well as publishing turning their avocations into gainful ment of modern urban areas, regions architects and building owners. Every- from the University of Latvia. Engaged in criticism articles on the A4D interactive platform and magazines employment. It was not long before and nations. He has gathered data day life in these urban environments, and creative work in the fields of architecture, design Latvijas Architektūra and Ir on current issues in Latvian support programmes like Atspēriens and indicating that diverse opportunities for those who create the environments, and cultural processes. Has worked as writer and architecture. Carried out the Riga’s Creative Quarters Brigāde sprang up, offering a helping recreation are essential in making cities and public events held in the quarters editor for publications including Latvijas Architektūra, (2009) study, published in the Process2 contemporary hand to promising new entrepreneurs. competitive; a self-organizing process were documented in photographs. All Diena, Ir, and A10. Co-founder of the Foundation architecture book. Leads groups every year at the creating venues for cultural activities of the sites included in the study were for the Promotion of Architecture, author of the Process Riga Technical University International Summer In 2011, Riga’s creative quarters and entertainment is vital in attracting visited in person. Their media presence book and exhibition project, lecturer and academic School. Currently resides in Rotterdam, where she became strong sub-centres, each with younger residents. If the young find a was also evaluated. The criteria for the reviewer at the Art Academy of Latvia, etc. Established participates in projects by the SVESMI architecture its own unique theme. Original city desirable, that city has a future. selection of the sites were primarily the Lukabuka brand, dealing with publishing, design, firm and writes a blog at fineyoungurbanists.tumblr.com sites and experiences draw people’s their accessibility to the public and the producing exhibitions and selling books. Received interest, have the potential to become Riga’s Creative Quarters is the continua- events held there, as well as the impact the LAS Annual Architecture Prize for the project economically meaningful, and can tion of a study first undertaken in 2009 the sites have on their neighbourhoods Behind the Curtain. Architect Marta Staņa. have a positive impact on the overall and published in the second volume and on the city as a whole. — Matīss Groskaufmanis, urban environment. By contrast to of Process, a publication devoted to large-scale planning that takes place contemporary architecture. The study researcher, article author from the top down, small-scale, private reflected a growing interest in creative — Andrejs Strokins, initiatives reorder the city step by step, industries at that time. Despite the Alongside studies at the Riga Construction College at a street level – outdoor cafe tables, economic crisis, the development of photographer, portraits (specializing as architectural technician), worked at well-lit windows and open doors make creative quarters began with glowing a number of architecture offices in Riga, including Riga more enticing, usable and safe. optimism and offered a counter-current and documentation of NRJA. After completing his studies in 2008, was to the tendency of people from admitted to the Mackintosh School of Architecture The concept of a “quarter” in this study is Latvia, especially younger people, to the urban environment in Glasgow and in summer 2011, received a a loose one, applied to various structural emigrate in search of a better life. Bachelor of Architecture accredited by the Royal elements in the urban environment – the Received a BA from the Art Academy of Latvia Institute of British Architecture. In 2009, before stretch of a street, a courtyard between and studied photography at Andrejs Grants’ studio a one-year exchange programme at the Academy freestanding buildings, rehabilitated and the ISSP International Summer School of Fine Arts Vienna, he worked at the Leo Burnett industrial premises, or a pedestrian ar- of Photography. Specializes in documentary Riga advertising agency. In the evenings, after his cade. Each of the nine locations in Riga photography and has gained professional professional and academic activities, he takes part in described here is known for its archi- experience at the A.F.I. and F64 photo agencies. maintaining the Cita Mūzika hand-picked music blog. tectural features and a distinct lifestyle. The study also looks at cultural shifts in urban life – the revival of bicycling and the advent of virtual networking. Publisher – ©Foundation Rīga 2014, 2011 The Guide to Riga’s Creative Instruments for the Support Foundation Rīga 2014 © Ieva Zībārte, Evelīna Ozola, Quarters is part of research of Creative Industries In 2014, Riga will be the European Capital of Culture. In order Graphic design and layout – Matīss Groskaufmanis, conducted in the context of Edgars Zvirgzdiņš, et-sons.com texts, 2011 the interregional cooperation to create positive long-term cultural traces in the city, Foundation © Andrejs Strokins, programme INTERREG English language edition photography, 2011 IVC project 0271R1 – Creative RIGA 2014 will invite creative neighbourhoods to create a by Riga2014 Metropolises: Policies and common platform for their initiatives within a programme. European Capital of Culture Your Rīga 2014 riga2014.org Authors 2 3 Introduction A CELEBRATION ChANGING EVERy DAy ThE CITy — Edijs Vucēns — The blocks between and Žanete Skarule, Tērbatas iela and owners of the Barona iela unspecialized Pērle shop One could live on a street between Culture and design form another layer Tērbatas and Barona without of this quarter’s offerings – its essence budging from the neighbourhood can be discovered at RIIJA, a Latvian Made a conscious choice to avoid at all, year after year, and experience lifestyle concept shop, which shares the tourist hotspots and create an no lack of culture, diverse cuisine, an address with Lukabuka, a design alternative Riga. Two years later, fashion or socializing. The area has shop and bookstore. There’s also the kindred cafes and stores have long been saturated with bookshops, Splendid Palace, Riga’s oldest cinema. popped up all around the area. libraries, theatres and cinemas. If the alternative scene is more to one’s Are not claiming pioneer status, but Points of interest here are not evenly liking, then Tērbatas iela between have provided an impulse for young spread; the streets in the neighbourhood Stabu and Matīsa is the place to people with the desire to create and have certain distinct epicentres. The be – Gauja provides counter service change the city to be able to try. corner of Lāčplēša and Barona is a steeped in nostalgia for the Soviet crossroads of culture; the restaurant era, its diverse customers mixing with Pērle is not just a space, but an idea that Osiris has long been renowned as a crowds of revellers who keep up a lively can spread further into the city. haunt of creative people, prominent atmosphere on both sides of Tērbatas businesspeople and politicians. iela in the evenings. One can find an Communication on Twitter and via The gallery and restaurant Istaba antidote to retro Soviet chic by imbibing email is the only method of advertising. opened nearby not so long ago. The pop culture in a casual ambience Pērle is not following anyone on Twitter, New Riga Theatre is visible from the at Pērle, which features live music but has around 3500 followers. intersection, and the Teātra bāra among mannequins and other decor. restorāns with its summer terrace Enjoy cooperating with others: can be found in its courtyard. The blocks between Tērbatas and Barona MAMMU, Moment, Adwards, do not possess a distinctive identity. The Latvian Academy of Art. The quarter bears witness to Riga’s The keyword here is diversity, also coffee craze, too – there’s the fine vintage reflected by the variety of its visitors. I Over time, the layout and rhythm clothing store and cafeteria Bonēra, the of events has been adapted to avoid trendy coffee bar Innocent Cafe, and the disturbing the neighbours. family-oriented bakery Kūkotava; all three brew a superb cup that makes @VeikalsPerle one want to return again and again. The blocks between Tērbatas iela and Barona iela 4 5 The blocks between Tērbatas iela and Barona iela WILL takE part EVEN If ThEy’RE NOT ON ThE pROGRAmmE — Ksenija Kamikaza, DJ, landlady of the Fiesta vinotheque The aim was to find a Would really like a bicycle Fiesta is more popular central spot – a historical parking space nearby, among Russians, since its house to suit wine. since these days everyone owners are Russian, but rides a bike and wants a Latvians come too.