Artists invited to international multimedia project

RIGA - Latvian artists are invited to apply for the international multimedia project “Connecting Cities” until Oct. 20. The main aim is to use all technologies available in the urban environment, for instance, large-scale advertising screens, mobile devices, interactive window shops in order to make a platform for international art objects.
“Connecting Cities” is a significant project, taking place from 2013 to 2015, where 11 European cities are involved including Riga as The European Capital of Culture in 2014. Several projects will be made in order to break borders and distances and to join cities and spectators in one artistic adventure.

Artists who apply for the project are invited to think of an urban context in a specific city and to bear in mind that the project needs to be valid for translating to other European cities.
Curator of the Latvian side is Diana Civle, the head of “Riga 2014” says that this is a possibility for young artists to create innovative projects, as well as to get an international recognition.

“Technologies and arts join hands. Artists get an idea and then they have the need to learn technology, to use it even more in order to support their creative work,” she says.
The goal of the project is to improve cooperation between creative workers, artists, technology manufacturers and technical staff. Artists are invited to make art that serves as a “bridge” between cities, explains Civle.
Each year a new, unique theme is being selected for the project. It’s “Networked City” this year. For 2014, it’s “Participatory City 2014.” Activities of “Connecting Cities” are a part of the common “Media Facades Festival.”
The project is supported by the European Commission. The Ministry of Culture and “Riga 2014” Foundation supports the project in Latvia.

To find more about the project and application process, go to: http:www.connectingcities.net/
Riga as European Culture Capital in 2014: www.riga2014.org/eng/