Ethnographic Symbols in Latvian Regional Architecture
Proceedings of XX Generative Art Conference edited by Celestino Soddu and Enrica Colabella 2017
Silvija Ozola

Geometric symbols arranged in ornaments are an integral part of the existence of mankind as a way of communication in order to pass on to the life drive and skill of living to next generations. The symbol of Latvianity is one of the richest and most complicated symbolic sign systems in the world – the belt of Lielvārde, in which ancient information has been encoded that characterizes belief into strong symbol energy and defensive magic, includes in us the special relation to nature, the world and universe. One of the drawbacks of modern architecture is underestimation of semantic significance: building obtains an amorphous character, loses its spatial peculiarity and dialogue with the space user. In Latvian regional architecture the demand for semantic precision means to give back the historic centres their lost content, conformity of forms and hierarchy of artistic expression. Reviving historical experience, including Latvian cultural traits in the revelation of the building’s semantic essence, an impulse is given to broader creative searches in order to highlight the affiliation and essence of the building.


Keywords
ancient information, belt of Lielvārde, ethnographic ornaments, Latvian regional architecture, symbolic sign system

Ozola, S. Ethnographic Symbols in Latvian Regional Architecture. In: Proceedings of XX Generative Art Conference edited by Celestino Soddu and Enrica Colabella, Italy, Ravenna, 13-15 December, 2017. Rome: Domus Argenia Publisher, 2017, pp.353-394. ISBN 978-88-96610-33-6.

Publication language
English (en)
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