Contemporary ceramics exhibition “TIMESTONE” opening on September 3, 2021, 18:00
Mazsalaca Culture Center, Rūjienas Street 1

In the age of information, technology and digitalisation, stone as an object itself seems alien. It is fascinating, large, heavy, timeless formation of the earth's depths, which alone attracts with its reality, truthfulness, originality and, no matter how impossible it may seem, has remained almost unaffected by man.

Rocks in geology are often referred as time capsules. Analyzing them, one can see the events of the past: what was the climate, how deep or shallow was the sea that formed and washed the rock, what life forms inhabited the Earth at that time. Millions of years old events can be seen in a palm-sized stone. Through geological research, scientists today can reconstruct the climatic conditions of the past, put forward theories, provide answers and concrete facts about what has influenced these conditions. Such knowledge is essential to better understand the processes affecting the climate changes today, to learn from the information provided by the past, and thus to be able to foresee future scenarios and possibly prevent adverse events. Stone is like the fifth dimension, which allows us to change the perception of time and through the prism of geology behold that time is relative.

TIMESTONE is author's collection of experiences, a game of colors, textures and sensations between past, present and future. It is an interpretation of the stone shape in ceramic material.  Photo and video fixation of ceramic objects placed in different natural environments allows us to draw conclusions and to see the interrelations between nature, time and art. The basic concept of the exhibition consists of the author's masters diploma work ( thesis supervisor Prof. Dainis Lesiņš), graduating from the Art Academy of Latvia this summer. The interdisciplinary study, which combines the examination, analysis and practical implementation of geology, archeology, contemporary ceramics, land art, latvian folklore and ceramic firing techniques, is now taking on a more tangible form and will be exhibited for six weeks at the Mazsalaca Culture Center.

The author of the exhibition, ceramicist Linda Zelta, has been working in the industry since 2016, creating both functional ceramics and contemporary three-dimensional shapes. She works with different alternative wood-firing techniques, creates new methods for obtaining visual effects through experiments, creates research-based works of art, combining the acquired knowledge while studying at the Department of Ceramics of the Art Academy of Latvia and the University of Latvia, Faculty of Geology and Earth Sciences. Explores the relationship between the natural environment and contemporary art. Linda manages a ceramics studio in the Craft House of Mazsalaca Culture Center and develops her own ceramics brand "Vidusmeži".

The exhibition is open on weekdays from 10:00 to 17:00 until October 15. 

Entrance is free of charge, please behave in accordance with the epidemiological regulations established in the country.