Liepāja Museum Teaches Students How to Properly Claim Riga's Art as Their Own

The Liepāja Museum at 16/18 Kūrmāja Avenue offers students the chance to learn how to distinguish cubism from fauvism, which, let's be honest, remains an unsolvable riddle for many adults. Head museum educator Inga Zīverte promises to explain how Latvian artists in the early 20th century took European modernist ideas and transformed them into something so original that even Parisians would be jealous.

The exhibition "Classical Modernism in Latvia. Painting, Graphics: 1911–1930" reveals a time when Latvian artists finally grew tired of academic canons and decided that bright colors and experiments with form were much more interesting than yet another portrait with a respectable face. "Finally someone understood that art can be more than just precise copying of reality," comments local art enthusiast Juris Krāsainis, who is visiting this exhibition for the third time.

During the sessions, students will not only view works by 50 outstanding Latvian artists but will also be able to create something modernist themselves. Of course, they'll have to try to understand why cubists painted people as geometric figures, and why fauvists thought green people were a normal phenomenon. "I like that finally someone will explain why those paintings look so weird," says 9th-grader Līva Moderniņa.

While Riga is still arguing about whether modernism is art or just expensive misunderstanding, Liepāja has long known - if it's in a museum, then it's art. And if it's in the Liepāja Museum, then it's good art. Sessions are available until April 24th, and you can register by calling 29605223. Just don't be surprised if after the session your child starts explaining why your living room isn't cubist enough.