NGO “I-DEJAS MĀJA” (I-DANCE HOUSE) together with the Donorstate partner from Norway – theater company K:13 (former Kompani13) till December 15, 2022 realized the project “Art Activism: Take Part, Take Care. PARTICIPATORY ART EXHIBITION & INTERACTIVE PERFORMANCE.” Project story:
“In 2022, the association I-DEJAS MĀJA in collaboration with the Norwegian Theatre K:13 SCENEKUNST from Bergen created an art project for the young auditory. In the very center of bustling Riga, an innovative participatory art event titled <<Līdzinieki>> unfolded its vibrant narrative, celebrating the essence of collaboration, equality, and participation. The project’s name, embedded with the symbolism of our fast-paced society, mirrored the essence of contemporary dynamics of rapid information flow, encouraging interactive engagement with an audience, and meaningful site-specific connections.
The main events of the project were implemented in the historical building of the Trade Union House, the former People’s House of Riga. The story of the performance created during the project was connected with historical events that happened in this building almost a centenary ago. Guided by a passionate team of professional artists, choreographers, curators, and directors, the project facilitated an enthralling experience, inviting young participants to engage in a creative dialogue, and fostering a sense of unity and understanding within society.
The project partner, K:13 SCENEKUNST theatre company arrived in Riga for the first meeting and creative workshop in February 2022. On February 18 the company presented an interactive show Romeo and Juliet at the Gertrude Street Theatre. After the performance, the audience met with the project team. Curator Sanita Duka presented the creative idea of the project and the Norwegian artistic team Jorunn Sofie Lullau, Steinar Thorsen, and Charlotte Faaberg-Johansen shared their experiences with the interactive theatre form.
On the following day, February 19, the project partners in thought-provoking workshops and engaging discussions for young professionals, sought to ignite a deeper understanding of democratic values, the significance of critical thinking, and the collective responsibility for a sustainable future. “In our discussions, we faceted the possibility that a large-scale war could break out following the ultimatum made by Russia. That happened indeed a few days later… We had to review our creative plans and adapt them to the new situation” – curator of the project Sanita Duka remembers.
The project’s creative team worked on the immersive performance plan and arrived together in person in June 2022. The creative workshop of the team on June 17-18 aimed to create a captivating journey that commenced with an immersive art exhibition and an interactive performance, where the audience seamlessly transitioned into active participants, shaping the narrative with their unique perspectives and interpretations. The performance space, meticulously designed to encourage cooperative games, dialogues, and creative expression, beckoned each visitor to contribute, comment, and engage with the evolving artistic tapestry. To get the connection and feedback from the target audience under the guidance of the visionary artists and facilitators, the young participants embarked on an introspective exploration, delving into the intricacies of societal participation and its multifaceted forms.
In October 2022 the culmination of the project materialized in a spectacular art event at the House of Trade Unions. The historical setting provided the perfect backdrop for the unfolding narrative of the participatory performance. Set on the historical events of May 15, 1934 authoritarian upheaval night, the interactive performance “Līdzinieki” empowered the audience to actively shape the course of the storyline, prompting them to make profound choices that echoed the themes of authoritarianism, democracy, responsibility, and social sustainability.
Performances shaped a walk through the Trade Union House from the basement to the attic. On the way historical persons as the play’s main characters appeared – the Latvian poets Ziemeļnieks, Rainis, and Čaks. After that, spectators chose the group to join, and the breakthrough game started. Drama conflict was played out by confrontation of secret police agents and supporting facilitators dressed like Blue Blouses agitprop theater actors from the 1930ies. Blue Blouse’s characters guided participants throughout the performance, discreetly watching to ensure that everything went according to plan and that the young people were involved in the development of the plot. As commented by one of the actors Marģers Majors: “In the finale of the show, my character led the vote on the future of Latvia and gave an impromptu comment on this choice. When voting, they had the opportunity to choose whether they wanted to live in a Utopia ruled by poets or a Dystopia ruled by the secret police, or – which, by the way, only happened once – if there was a tie, they would end up with the current democratic situation.”
The visual side of the production was created by the set designer Tom Jansons, artists Ance Eikena and Anita Roztāle, and costume designer Anda Shcherbaka. To create the appropriate atmosphere, as well as to outline the main motives, the composer Platons Buravickis created memorable compositions for the production. Choreography played a particularly important role during the performance, as there were pieces performed by professional dancers with acrobatic elements under the leadership of Jānis Putniņš, atmospheric movements compositions were staged and performed by the youth of the dance studio SPACE, as well spectators pageant through the house had choreographic elements.
Reflecting on the journey, the participants acknowledged the profound impact of their active involvement, as they became the participants and creators, and got an impulse to what means to be a catalyst for meaningful change within their community. The participants in feedback questionnaires admitted that it was a new kind of theater experience. The project “Līdzinieki” fostered an inclusive art experience, encouraging active participation from more than 600 visitors. With the collaborative efforts of the I-DEJAS MĀJA association and Norwegian theater K:13 SCENEKUNST, in collaboration with the producers’ group of INITIUM foundation the project united sixty artists and fifteen technical staff, creating a transformative experience for the participants. “Līdzinieki” left a lasting impression, nurturing understanding and empathy within the community and marking a significant artistic milestone in Riga’s cultural landscape.”
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