“Grounding”
By Karine Paronyanc
On July 6th, exhibition “Grounding” by artist Karine Paronyanc will open in one of the old buildings in the Botanical Garden of the University of Latvia, being timed with the centenary of the Garden.
The exhibition is both a gesture of gratitude and a tribute to the botanical garden, where the artist’s workshop has been located for almost a year. It is also a reflection on the value of traditions and the closeness of man to nature.
“Grounding” will be held in a format unusual for the audience. The term “grounding” itself means a protective system reducing voltage to a level safe for living organisms. Being in an old cellar, the exhibition lives up to its name: the exposition invites viewers to “ground themselves” both literally and figuratively – the main theme of the works presented at the exhibition is botanical fantasies and the motives of human interaction with nature. The artist then becomes a sort of a conductor, connecting viewers with their roots and taking down the negative energy they have accumulated – “in order to send a message into space, one must be first properly grounded.”
In this exhibition, Karine Paronyanc continues to develop her philosophy of “Art with Bio tag” – a careful approach to the creation of work which lends them originative imagery, and the idea of harmonious coexistence of man and environment. The summer solstice has become the keynote of the exhibition as the peak of human life and unity with nature. The basis of the composition of all the paintings is set by a flower wreath. It symbolizes both the fertility of meadows and the universe, and is a sign of infinity and movement. Round shape is perfect. The cycle of nature is a continuous and dynamic movement. The wreath is also an integral symbol of Saint John’s Eve and is connected with the rhythms and cyclicity of nature.
The basis of the composition – the wreath – is composed according to the principles of the spectrum of the colors of the rainbow, revealing the deep essence of each of the seven main colors, with all their nuances and diversity. The heart of the wreath is white. This represents the white light that permeates the meadow. The white as a forerunner of everything, it is fundamental. To find the whole universe and a profound significance in every blade of grass, that is the deeper meaning of the artwork.
Thanks to the fascinating acoustics of the room in which the exhibition will be held – an old dome shaped cellar – the artist focused a lot on the auditory component of the exposition. So, instead of titles and texts accompanying the paintings, the voice of Kristina Oz – the vocalist for the band Kriz& Oz – will sound in the cellar and explain the artist’s ideas. “Grounding” will also be another joint project for Karine Paronyanc and electronic music producer Alexey Siverenko (SHRI ALEX). In addition to the recitative performed by Kristina, the exhibition will be accompanied by compositions written by Alexey Siverenko specifically for each of the works. The music will be made from natural sounds recorded where the paintings were created – that is, on the territory of the botanical garden.
The opening of the exhibition will take place on July 6th, at 19:00. During the event, live music from a Latvian folk instrument, the kokle, will be played, and "magic" tea from traditional medicinal herbs growing in the garden will be brewed in a large cauldron in the center of the exposition.
The exhibition will be open to the public from July 6th to July24th. The exhibition can be visited during the botanical garden’s hours: on all days of the week from 10:00 to 21:00.
address: Kandavas iela 2, Riga
