The project “History of the Photography Club “Rīga””reflects the history of Latvian photography which is an important part of the recent past of Riga’s cultural and artistic life. The development of the photography club over time shows the opportunities photographers had in Riga, be it the efforts of self-taught amateurs or international recognition.

The Photography Club “Rīga” was established in 1962. In no time the group of fellow photographers became an association of photographic artists where the following remarkable artists were engaged: Gunārs Binde, Jānis Gleizds, Leonīds Tugaļevs, Vilhelms Mihailovskis, Valdis Brauns, Egons Spuris (his work is included in the Latvian Cultural Canon) and many more. Not only did the members of the club contribute to the education of photographers and society in the field of fine art photography, but also made Riga known throughout the Soviet Union and beyond as a city of art and culture. During the 55 years of the operation of the Photography Club “Rīga”, approximately 400 people from Riga have been working there, but the number of people who participated in the activities of the club is significantly higher.

The exhibition is divided into two parts – the history of the club and the original works of the members. The establishment of the photography club and the main pillars of the operation are illustrated by means of information material, different items (medals, trophy cups), printed materials (exhibition catalogues, posters, invitations), as well as photos, videos and club member original works depicting the activities of the club. Most often their works include portraits, landscapes, nudes, Riga scenes. In many of the works various special techniques have been used like solarisation, isohel, montage, and graphics.

The exhibition was made by: specialist of the Photography Museum, author of the exhibition project and researcher of the history of the club – Daiga Jamonte, museum staff – Maira Dudareva, Guntis Jasotis, Dace Saveiko, Sandis Zaķis, volunteers of the museum – Ilze Krišane, Aleks Pocelujevs, Jekaterina Macuka.

LFM15569
Gunârs Binde
Siena
1964.gads

Fotonegatîvs
Fotografika, rastrs
“Vecâ jûrnieka portrets”
Vîrieða portrets profilâ. Vîrietim ûsas, galvâ platmale.
Fot. – Valters Jânis Ezeriòð
1960.-1970. gadi
9 x 9,5 cm

“Sâkums”

“Akts”
1967. gads?

Fotogrâfija.
Portrets,
“Gleznotâjas portrets”. Prieksplânâ sieviete, fonâ sçþ divi jaunieði.
1970.gadi
Zigurds Bilzonis
36,1 x 29,1 cm

LFM1792
V. Links
Pçc vçtras
1981.gads

“Portrets”
1962. gads

LFM42
Fotogrâfija
”Laimes Lietus”
fotogrâfs-V. Brauns
1970.g.
melnbalta