From May 1 to 31, 2023, the exhibition of miniatures "1:12" can be seen in the 1st floor gallery of the Riga Culture and Recreation Center "Imanta". Various miniature scenes and characters will bring the viewer into a completely different, reduced world, which would be most similar to an animated film. On May 1 at 16.00 there will be an opening of the exhibition and a face-to-face meeting with the authors of the exhibition.
"There are so many miraculous around us, we just don't always notice them in the rush of everyday life. Nowadays, when so much emphasis is placed on the possibilities of technology, we want to remind what human thoughts and minds can create, how great family togetherness and meditation can chieved by studying and collecting physical materials with the aim of creating our own little worlds".
The miniatures displayed in the exhibition were created by artists - Edgars and Jana Brieži, often with the involvement of their daughter, who is the reason for this hobby to develop. Edgars Briedis works as a prop artist at the Latvian National Opera and Ballet, while Jana Briedes is a photographer and computer graphic artist. Both of their interest in the creation of different things also applies to floristry, clothing design, sculpture, environmental design and many other areas in which they have both worked. Accumulating and supplementing this knowledge, they have come to a common occupation - creating spatial miniatures. The miniatures created by the authors embody both completely realistic places and scenes, as well as shapes created in the imagination. A favorite scale for artists is 1:12, which is also a popular scale among dollhouse miniaturists worldwide. This scale makes it possible to create nuanced and detailed scenes that make you want to shrink and become a participant in these imaginary stories.
The exhibition includes works from different time periods - individual objects, scenes, rooms and houses. The smallest visitors are especially invited to take a look as the artists want to encourage children to explore and study the materials and to spend more time creating and transforming new things.
Dollhouse miniatures are an art form whose origins can be traced back to the 17th century in Amsterdam. Initially, miniatures were presented to ladies as a sign of prestige and wealth. The value of the miniatures were determined by how closely they represented reality. Rich families often had crafted fully furnished dollhouses, which accurately depicted the house in which they were located. Likewise, when craftsmen and carpenters traveled and offered their work, miniatures were used to demonstrate the craftsmanship of the craftsman, much like a catalog from which to choose and order furniture.
Today, many are still passionate about collecting and creating miniatures. Artists, in turn, use this ancient art form to create animated films and commercials.
Free entrance
The exhibition is open to visitors every day from 10.00 to 20.00