According to Albert Camus, human life is so absurd that the search for meaning within it is itself meaningless. Each person must therefore create their own meaning; otherwise, life is not worth living. This meaning must be strong enough to compel one to go on living, as if no alternative existed. In Camus’ reading, Sisyphus receives his stone – and is happy, because with it his existence gains value.

 

Each such “Sisyphus” must find points of support within the surrounding chaos in order to sustain existence. A society composed of these satisfied “Sisyphi” forms its own architecture: one in which the load-bearing structure rests on the ephemeral and the ever-changing.

 

Architecture of the Absurd creates space – an almost familiar place – for re-imagining daily rituals. At first glance, the exhibition appears grounded in the ordinary. Upon closer examination, however, the connections between its elements begin to shift. Practices and objects previously held in high regard may reveal themselves as ridiculous at the most inconvenient of times, while those overlooked or deemed undeserving of a second thought can emerge as irreplaceable fundamentals.

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Drawing on intellectual heritage of the 20th century, this exhibition is developed as an interdisciplinary event where curatorial narrative and artistic ideas introduce an innovative approach for presenting contemporary art. The gallery’s architectural features act as elements of the exposition, each work exists in a theatrical dialogue with the environment; space and object merge into a singular whole.

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The featured works present viewers with unprecedented ways to interact with everyday objects. By looking beyond their objective nature and approaching them on a conceptual level, these objects are relieved of expectations of functionality and freed from evaluation according to practical purpose. In this space, meaning is no longer anchored in use, but in relation, repetition, and attention.

 

Through their artistic practices, the ten participating artists reveal how embracing both absurdity and routine allows one to stabilise oneself amidst chaos and erraticism. Rituals and objects resolve into cornerstones – supporting structures that constitute one’s basis for living, the architecture of one’s inner world.

 

Participating artists: Elza Ābele, Elīna Brese, Dzimstna Bērziņa, Jolanta Geste, Ilze Helgelande, Viktorija Joniene, Beatrise Kaminska, Kristīne Priedīte, Karīna Putra, Mariana Hultoană (Romania)

 

Curator: Ksenija Afanasjeva

Assistant Curator: Elya Asadullaeva