Liepāja 2027 Foundation Announces Design Competition for Interactive Urban Art Installation “Pavējā pretvējā”

Celebrating Liepāja’s 400th anniversary and its designation as the European Capital of Culture in 2027, the Liepāja 2027 Foundation has launched a design competition for a new, large-scale interactive environmental urban art installation, “Pavējā pretvējā” This initiative seeks bids for an installation that will become a signature landmark in the city’s urban landscape. The competition deadline for entries is 25 November 2024.

Baiba Bartkeviča, Member of the Board for Artistic Affairs at the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, expressed the foundation’s vision for the project:

“Urban artworks bring joy, inspiration, and a fresh perspective to city spaces. They serve as visual gems that complement the urban landscape, much like a beautiful piece of jewellery enhances an outfit. In the year of our city’s anniversary, we wish to enrich Liepāja's scenery with a contemporary art object or installation that symbolically captures the spirit of our windy city. Ideally, the work will be both inclusive and interactive, becoming a beloved part of the city’s evolving identity. I believe that quality environmental art fosters a sense of belonging, helping to create a positive image for the city and attracting visitors from around the world.”

The design competition aims to introduce an artistic and functional environmental object that symbolizes the essence of Liepāja as a windy city. “Pavējā pretvējā” title captures the Latvian meaning of the “wind” word (vējš – Latvian) and making a combination of windswept and upwind mood. Known for its strong maritime heritage and dynamic cultural identity, Liepāja is looking for a contemporary installation that will contribute to the city’s vibrant atmosphere as it moves toward its next cultural milestone in 2025 and 2027 with the (un)rest concept.

The selected installation will occupy a location at the intersection of Graudu Street and Kūrmājas Prospekts (Graudu Street 30, cadastral No. 17000320264) within the conservation area of the Liepāja City Historical Centre. This location spot, currently vacant, offers the potential for a striking contemporary art piece to stand as a new city landmark. Contestants are required to consider the unique characteristics of the site, including its scale, historical significance, and surrounding environment with landscaping, when conceptualizing their designs.

The installation should be created using durable materials and present a high level of visual contemporary aesthetics. The estimated cost for the production and installation of the environmental object is capped at €60,000, inclusive of all applicable taxes.

The competition boasts a total prize fund of €10,000. The first prize winner will receive €4,000, while the second prize will award €3,000 and the third prize €2,000. Additionally, two incentive prizes of €500 each may be awarded at the discretion of the jury.

A panel of seven experts will evaluate the submissions. The jury is chaired by Baiba Bartkeviča, Member of the Board of the Liepāja 2027 Foundation, and vice-chaired by Uģis Kaugurs, the city architect from the Liepāja Municipality Construction Department. Other jury members include: Inguna Elere, Liepāja 2027 ambassador, co-founder of the design studio H2E, and professor at the Art Academy of Latvia; Ieva Rubeze, artist and curator; Kristiāna Kārkliņa, director of the Sculpture Quadrennial Riga programme and curator; Norberts Vēbers, contemporary art consultant and curator; Anna Priedola, assistant professor at RTU Liepāja and director of the study programme New Media Art and Design. The ex-voting executive secretary of the jury commission is Eva Ciekurze, member of the board of the Liepāja 2027 Foundation.

The jury will evaluate submissions based on several criteria, including the scope of the “Pavējā pretvējā” theme, the interaction between the installation and the urban setting, compositional and stylistic harmony with the surroundings, as well as the originality and functionality of the design. Sustainability and the independence of the proposed solutions and materials will also be key considerations.

The competition is open to natural or legal persons, as well as associations of such persons in any combination. Participants must submit their bids in accordance with the competition's terms and conditions.

All entries must be delivered to the Liepāja 2027 Foundation office at 4/8 Dārza Street, Liepāja, by 15:00 on 25 November 2024. Late submissions will not be considered.

Full terms and conditions of the competition (in Latvian) can be accessed via this link: https://www.eis.gov.lv/EKEIS/Supplier/Procurement/133217

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