Skārņu iela 10
Tel. 722 78 33
Open: 11am- 5pm
Closed: Mondays
The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design is a
museum in Riga, Skārņu Street 10. Its exposition reflects the work
of the leading decorative art and design artists of Latvia, as well
as introduces the dominant directions and styles in design and
decorative art in the period from the end of the 19th century to the
present day.
History of the museum
The Museum of
Decorative Arts and Design was opened on July 6, 1989 in the former
St. George's Church in Riga (this building, which is the oldest
preserved masonry building in Riga, is an architectural monument of
national importance).
Latvian professional decorative art,
which inspired the period of national revival, is based on folk
craft traditions. In the first half of the 20th century, Latvia
sought its national identity in the field of arts and crafts.
Prominent masters Jūlijs Madernieks (1870-1955), Jūlijs Straume
(1874-1970), Ansis Cīrulis (1883-1942), Jēkabs Bīne (1895-1955),
Arvīds Dzērvītis (1847-1942) and others were involved in this
search.
Textile, ceramic, porcelain, metal, wood, glass and
leather products are exhibited in the museum. Since 2006, a design
collection has also been displayed here.
The museum houses
the largest collection of works by Roman Suta (1896-1944),
Aleksandra Beļcova (1892-1981) and Sigismund Vidberga (1890-1970),
the founders of Latvian modernism, the artists of the porcelain
painting workshop "Baltars", inspired by futurism, cubism and Art
Deco. abstraction of shapes, decorativeness of colors and shapes and
graphic sophistication.
The works of foreign artists are also
exhibited, some of which the museum received as gifts.
Exhibitions
In addition to the permanent exhibition, the museum
systematically organizes both Latvian and foreign decorative art and
design exhibitions. The museum also has various creative workshops -
fabric printing, wool rolling and wooden stamp workshop, which
allows everyone to express their creative imagination.
From
October 19 to December 2, 2018, the project "Just in Time. Design
stories about Latvia" second satellite exhibition "Quality
standard", which presents Latvian coins dedicated to outstanding
events and cultural personalities.
Collaboration with fashion
historian Aleksandar Vasiliev
N0 In 2009, the museum, together
with the fashion historian Aleksandar Vasilijev's foundation and the
ABLV bank as a supporter, held exhibitions dedicated to various
periods of fashion.
2009. Victorian Fashion.
2013. From
war to peace. 1940-1950 years of fashion.
2017. Children's world.
18-20 century. Exhibition from the collections of Aleksandar
Vasiļjev and Latvian museums.
Art education
The museum
also organizes educational events. On August 27, 2018, a seminar for
teachers was held at the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the
purpose of which was to update the cooperation of educators with the
museum, to introduce news in the field of educational programs, as
well as to present the exhibition "Tapestry Colors. In France".
In 2013, the museum hosted the opening and closing plenary
sessions of the Northern Future Forum, where the prime ministers of
the United Kingdom, the Nordic countries and the Baltic countries
met.