(January 2, 2008)

It used to be a rather typical garage facility accommodating vehicles and a reserve of spare parts. But that changed in the autumn of 2007: the structure still stands, while its interior has been noticeably transformed and is now buzzing with renewed spirit of creativity. The building's new name comes from a grouping of creatives called Komutators, one of whom is the Rigan artist Kārlis Ādminis. Technically it belongs among the rest of the arts centres of Andrejsala, however, considering its more compact size, one can also refer to it as a gallery.

The idea came about in August, 2007, when one of the freakbike building workshops took place in the Garages. During two or three days, each of the participants had to conceive and build an original chopper bicycle. Since Latvian winter weather is often too ugly and unwelcoming for biking, the emerging Komutators's team started generating their new creed: "We intend to suit this space for various events of visual arts, exhibitions, performances and installations. Photography shall be an important part of our artistic activity. The venue welcomes everyone apart from those who have destructive agendas."

Without further ado, Komutators staged four exciting events during its first few months of operation. On September 14, a multimedia information session took place, aiming at introducing the arts centre itself as well as the founding artists and their various pursuits. The entertaining part of the forum consisted of 'Urban Positive. In Memoriam', an exhibition of works by Andris Vītoliņš, 'Nice and Hard', an untraditional audiovisual performance involving jewellery and fashion, by Kārlis Ādminis, and a presentation and concert marking the release of 'Electronica/Latvia < 2008'.

The evening of the following day saw the opening of Take a Different Look, a joint poster exhibition conveying the varied visual, social and environmental impressions by young photographers from Latvia and the Spanish region of Galicia. Concurrently, the No Support band played a gig.

In early October, during the Japan Days, the Komutators team organised Experience Nippon, a photo show by Kanako Sasaki, paralleled with the photographic coverage of Impressions from Japan by several Latvian youths. Apart from the two exhibitions, the visitors were also offered Japanese tea and a screening of Japanese films.

After the ample explorations of the Land of the Rising Sun, there came Almost Like a Sunset, a solo exhibition by Latvian photo artist Līva Rutmane. Her 35 recent stills contrasted two different dimensions, the real and the artificially made one, which are nevertheless united by human tenderness and simplicity. 

Komutators continues developing new projects, which you can keep up with by visiting their website or browsing our own www.andrejsala.lv.

E-mail contact: komutators@komutators.com.