The Good and Bad Soviet Era Artists? Art Scholar Elita Ansone on Evaluating Our Heritage
Art scholar Elita Ansone discusses the evaluation of Latvian art from the Soviet era and the ongoing need for a reappraisal of 20th-century art.
Elita Ansone, an art scholar and curator, currently heads the Scientific Research Department "Arsenāls" at the Latvian National Museum of Art. She has a robust background in art criticism, having studied at the Latvian Academy of Arts, and has curated over 30 significant exhibitions, including notable works by artists like Vija Celmiņa and Imants Tillers. Her focus is on the art from the late Soviet era, analyzing its ideological and political complexities and the necessity for a comprehensive reassessment of this period's artistic contributions.
Through her research, Ansone highlights the intricate relationship between art and politics in Latvia during the 20th century, especially under the Soviet regime. She argues for a critical re-evaluation of artworks from this time, emphasizing that many pieces reflect the struggles and narratives of their creators against the backdrop of a repressive political climate. By bringing forth the voices of various artists, she seeks to enrich the understanding of this complex legacy and its impact on contemporary art discourse in Latvia.
Currently, the Latvian National Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition dedicated to Ojārs Ābols, titled "Ojārs Ābols: Absurd Human Projects on Earth." This exhibition, alongside Ansone's ongoing efforts, underscores the importance of recognizing and legitimizing the diverse artistic expressions from the Soviet era, emphasizing their relevance in today's cultural landscape and the lasting influence they have on current and future generations of artists.