Celebration of porcelain
Riga, Latvia
completed, 2023
The exhibition “Celebrate Porcelain with Kuznetsov” at Zuzeum Art Centre in Riga was on display from February 10 until August 6 in 2023.
commission: Art center ZUZEUM
exhibition scenography, drawings & visuals: Toms Kampars, assisted by Krišs Bērzkalns
project TEAM:
curator: Marta Šuste; co-curator: Annija Grīsle; assistant curator: Evgenia Hamudaeva
exhibition's graphic design: Tatjana Raičiņeca
project manager: Melisa Debora Kaškura
technical management: Raivis Švarcs; technical team: Andris Konošonoks, Māris Mikāns, Mareks Ieviņš
financial management: Ilze Baumane
head of project's communications: Alyona Solovyova; communication design: Karlīne Anete Nagliņa
public relations and publicity: Katrīna Jurkevica, Kate Streļča, Eduards Grizāns
educational program: Evita Melbarde, Paula Treimane, Iluta Kalniņa, Marta Šuste, Annija Grīsle, Tetiana Vieglina
senior guide: Erna Marija Poča
production:
Valentīns Elsts and AM Studio (glass)
Agris Tauriņš, Oskars Čiževskis, Daniels Cizevskis and Seven Spaces studio (furniture)
Artis Neilands and Surfaces.studio (3D sculptures)
Aleksejs Grigorjevs and SIA Basta AG
Jānis Krūms, Klāvs Vasilis, Toms Kavals, Arnis Kalniņš and BUSH Design (entrance installation)
Edgars Jansons and Reklāmu darbnīca
Skaistāk Print House
supporters: Latvian State Archive of Audiovisual Documents; Jānis Pipars; Teo Ralfs Jēkabsons; Mihails Caturjancs
photos: Madara Kuplā, Ansis Starks, Dasha Trofimova
Celebrate Porcelain with Kuznetsov, is a porcelain exhibition of an unprecedented scale. With more than 1000 porcelain, faience and clay objects from the Zuzāns Collection as well as archival materials, has told the story of the manufacturing of Kuznetsov porcelain. The scenography encompasses 14 separate “stands” - each dedicated to a former porcelain factory under the Kuznetsov name.
Lightness, spaciousness, whiteness, and translucency are crafted as a contrasting foundation for the diversity of porcelain forms and abundance of colors. Illuminated tabletops and shelf levels, without unnecessary details or exaggeration, serve as a stage for Kuznetsov's opulence, where architecture and design deliberately maintain the function of an ascetic platform. Illuminated window bays and a cabinet with the possibility of peeking inside refer to the industrial nature of porcelain factories.
In some places, the delicate desire for images is interrupted by larger object-installations, offering the opportunity to explore porcelain forms, touch and examine them in detail. Rest your feet on the profile of a cup, take a photo in a teapot, or pass through a vase. Meanwhile, the porcelain heroes continue to shine and eagerly await new visitors with anticipation.
