solo exhibition “THE LOST Ii”, Provodnik, riga, latvia
The installation was created as a continuation of the story of the painting, which depicts garden gnomes lost in the thickets, from the series "Exhibitions That Never Happened: Thickets". And it is unknown whether the dwarves got lost by themselves or someone lost them. It is known that they are lost.
While creating the exhibition in the abandoned building, I reflected on the rights of the garden gnomes, hoping that my artistic idea would not offend any of them and that I would not receive reprimands from the Garden Gnome Protection Association.
I have only partially dealt with gnoming - stealing garden gnomes from their owners' houses or gardens and returning them to the "wild nature", therefore releasing them. The garden gnome in the overgrown house was not stolen, but bought in Depo. Freed, and now he watches speeding cars passing by, one after the other, hurrying or slowly sliding along the recently renovated Liepaja highway.
A garden gnome lives for about 350 to 500 years, reaching its maturity at age of 40, similar to a human. It turns out that it's not the dwarves' vegetarian diet of mostly garden-sourced goodies that provides them with these many years of dwarven life, but rather the magical abilities they undeniably possess.
The exhibition "LOST II" is an experimental indention from the long, pictorial story, focusing on the humorous interpretations of everyday life, well-being and rights of one character - the garden gnome.
Garden gnomes are mostly male, with long beards, they often have pipes, beer barrels, rarely other attributes, such as gardening tools. Female garden gnomes appear much less often, in some cases only as the gnome's own allies or girlfriends for fun moments. Female garden gnomes date back only to the second half of the 20th century, and their arrival in the garden crowded with male gnomes happened slowly. For example, Rien Poortvliet depicts gnomes in his "Book of Dwarves" as friendly characters, dressed in traditional long skirts, looking after and caring for children. In the 90s, female garden gnomes become more naughty, more naked and independent. In 2004, the company founded by Philipp Griebel launched a female garden gnome called "Lady Roda". However, even in 2004, it was criticized by the "Garden Gnome Protection Association", citing as an argument the fact that historically the garden gnome has only been male.[1]
”Charlie is a hard-working gnome. He was involved in a nasty accident involving a mulcher, resulting in the loss of his left arm. Unfortunately his employer dismissed him without so much as a thank you for many years of faithful service. He heard about the SPGG (“Society for the Protection of Garden Gnomes”) and has been living at Broger's End for the last six months. He has been able to find meaningful work in the garden and has been particularly good at greeting visitors and helping with garden tours. He awaits a prosthesis which will enable him to perform more tasks in the garden.”[2]
“Three naked chubby gnomes have been standing on the lawn of Sandra Smith's backyard in the village of Hannington for 15 years, but after neighbors complained, the 64-year-old woman had to sew miniature T-shirts for the half-meter-tall garden gnomes.”[3]
“Gnomes rescued from violent masters and poor working conditions can rest and recover, and rebuild their self esteem at Broger's End in the lovely Kangaroo Valley. This couple (names witheld) suffered persecution and were unable to marry according to Australian Gnome Law. They have been able to set up house and enjoy looking after the younger gnomes.”[4]
[4] https://www.facebook.com/people/Society-for-the-Protection-of-Garden-Gnomes/100040079216012/?paipv=0&eav=AfZ9gXoRhMFl9ngLji_cMLtljcUTBmQyWtXi6EBj4-tnwFuygSq5xabnWIq28vwzt7Q&_rdr
[3] https://www.tvnet.lv/5629691/darza-rotajums-kaili-ruki
[2] https://www.facebook.com/people/Society-for-the-Protection-of-Garden-Gnomes/100040079216012/?paipv=0&eav=AfZ9gXoRhMFl9ngLji_cMLtljcUTBmQyWtXi6EBj4-tnwFuygSq5xabnWIq28vwzt7Q&_rdr
[1] https://gnomeshomes.com/blogs/gnome-news/gnome-equality-where-are-the-girls
Photo: Sandra Strēle, Inese Rozentāla, Jēkabs Kalvelis
