The outstanding painter and professor of the Latvian Academy of Arts (LMA) Aleksejs Naumovs is celebrating his life anniversary by opening the solo exhibition «Painted Architecture» on January 10 at the Institute of Architecture and Design of the Riga Technical University (RTU), Ķīpsalas Street 6. Visitors to the exhibition can view until February 15 to this even wider audience, the works of the artist, which were created in the most magnificent and picturesque places in the world - Burano, Venice, Sicily, Paris and New York.
Velta Holtzmane, project manager of RTU Institute of Architecture and Design and curator of the exhibition, encouraged the artist to create the exhibition in the university premises. He is attracted by A. Naumovs' vision of architecture – how an artist captures the city's environment and space. «It resonates with what is taught here at the RTU School of Architecture - the construction and structure of urban space, » says V. Holtzmane.
A. Naumovs handwriting is characterized by a convincing and balanced stroke, a bright, cheerful color and a composition that captures the essence of the specific place. The artist is interested in the interaction of nature and architecture. He is attracted by the play of light and shadow, their effect on color and form. A. Naumovs’ approach to depicting landscapes goes beyond a passive reflection of the surrounding world, because in his works he does not show a generalized and usual view of the landscape, but his personal view and feelings. Paintings are created in the open air - being in a specific place and time, the artist skillfully notices the unique light and colors of the moment, captures the special mood of the landscape and creates emotionally saturated stories about different cities of the world.
«I like architecture, nature, light, color, » admits the artist. He also appreciates the suitability of the RTU premises for displaying large works of art, as the room is spacious, with high ceilings, with natural lighting, so «here is a place to retreat, » says A. Naumovs. He is also happy that the works are placed in a room where life pulsates all the time - RTU students, teaching staff and university guests measure their daily activities, who then have the opportunity to get acquainted with the magnificent works of art.
Along with the artist's paintings, summer moods have entered RTU, as most of the works were created on hot summer days, as evidenced by the bright color palette of the paintings. «Thank you so much for the opportunity to conjure up such a beautiful summer in our cold, chilly winter!» says Uģis Bratuškins, Acting Director of RTU Institute of Architecture and Design.
Aleksejs Naumovs (1955) graduated from the Department of Monumental Painting and creative post-graduate studies at LMA. He was a French government scholarship holder and studied painting in Paris. From 2007 to 2017, he was rector of LMA. As an initiator, leader, curator of exchange programs and exhibitions, he participated in various cooperation projects in Italy, France, Japan, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Russia, the USA and elsewhere. Has held more than 60 personal exhibitions.
The Latvian state has also appreciated Aleksej Naumov's contribution to art, in 2009 awarding the artist the highest award - the Order of the Commander of the Cross of Merit. In 2004, the artist received the Order of the President of Italy (Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana. Commendatore) and in 2016 – the French Order of Arts and Letters ( Ordre des Arts et des Lettres).
The exhibition can be viewed in the atrium of the RTU Institute of Architecture and Design until February 15 on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 20:00 and on Saturdays from 10.00 to 17.00. Entry to the exhibition is free.
