From June 12 to 13, 2026, the International Symposium “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” will take place in Liepāja and Pāvilosta as part of the “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” programme. The symposium will bring together artists, researchers, curators, and cultural historians from Latvia and abroad to reflect on the significance of amber and other fossil resources in culture, the economy, and humanity’s relationship with the environment.
Interested participants are invited to register by filling out the form. Participation is free of charge.
The symposium’s public programme will open on June 12, 17:00 in Liepāja with a lecture by German artist Lisa Rave at the Art Research Laboratory (MPLab) of the RTU Liepāja Academy, located at 13 Kūrmājas Prospekts, Liepāja. In her artistic practice, Rave explores the relationship between humans and the geological environment, combining perspectives from art and anthropology. Following the artist’s conversation with the audience, her essay film “Europium” (2014) will be screened. The film examines the history of colonialism and reveals how fossil resources and exploitative relationships from the past continue to shape the modern economy and everyday objects.
On June 13, the symposium will continue at the Pāvilosta Cultural Center. From 13:00 to 16:00, a series of presentations will explore the cultural and historical significance of amber, as well as its potential in contemporary art and technological culture. Speakers will include artist and curator Zane Cērpiņa (Norway), Latvian Academy of Arts professor and designer Barbara Ābele, new media artist and researcher Paula Vītola, and Sigita Talačkiene, Director of the Palanga Amber Museum (Lithuania), along with other guests.
Starting at 16:00, symposium attendees will have the opportunity to explore the artistic visions developed as part of the “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” PAiR residency research programme. The participating artists presenting their projects will be Michael Saup (Germany), Mikus Svikulis (Latvia), Ieva Viese (Latvia), Zane Zelmene (Latvia), Aistė Ambrazevičiūtė (Lithuania), Kim Hankyul (Norway), Trevor Yeung (Hong Kong), and Helen Liene Dreifelds (Canada).
The “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” project highlights issues related to the depletion of fossil resources and the need to redefine humanity’s relationship with the Earth’s geological structures. Amber, like other fossil resources, has influenced culture, trade, mythology, and scientific thought for centuries. The concept of electricity itself derives from the ancient Greek word “elektron,” meaning “amber.”
The symposium is part of the project “ElektrON – The Future of Amber,” which seeks to rediscover amber as a symbol of the Baltic Sea coast’s identity while critically re-examining perceptions of fossil resources and their place in the contemporary world. The project brings together art and science, highlighting amber’s cultural, historical, material, and symbolic potential in the context of the future. The international symposium forms part of a broader artistic and research process, the results of which will be presented in the exhibition “ElektrON – The Future of Amber” at the Liepāja Museum from January 8 to June 27, 2027, marking the opening of the “Liepāja 2027 – European Capital of Culture” programme.
“ElektrON – The Future of Amber” is implemented by the Association “ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education” in collaboration with the “VV Foundation” Pāvilosta Artists’ Residence (PAiR). The programme of “Liepāja – European Capital of Culture 2027” is implemented by the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, with funding allocated by the City of Liepāja, the South Kurzeme and Kuldīga municipalities, and the Ministry of Culture. The “Liepāja 2027” programme is supported by its main partner in environmental education and sustainability, AS “CleanR Grupa”, Jsc; its main partner in air mobility and international communications, AS “airBaltic Corporation”, legal partner: Sorainen Law Office, Ltd., Jsc; and its land mobility partner, SIA “Lux Express Latvia”, Ltd. Media partners: VSIA “Latvijas Sabiedriskais medijs”, Ltd. and AS “Kurzemes Radio”, Jsc.
The activities of the association “ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education” are supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation.
More information
Sabīne Jermaloviča
Project Manager “ElektrON – The Future of Amber”
Telephone: +371 26 625 910
Email: elektron@aste.gallery
