Untitled, 1989
28 x 19 x 22 cm
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INTERPRETATION
Juris Bergins investigates the human toll of the former Soviet regime. Eastern Europe has always been fascinated with capitalism, but now there is a growing concern about the real costs of having western luxuries.
This self portrait is made of clay and shows Bergins’ identification not only through the features of his face, but also through the data glazed onto the skull, including his passport photo and number, and other data that identifies him to the state. The left side of the face however has been blown apart with a bullet that graphically portrays not only the mental anguish that people endure but also the real deaths of the late 1980s during the nationalist uprisings.
This is a stylized water faucet with big black hands cupping everything that flows from it – American dollars, images of beautiful women and movie stars, and all the imported excesses of capitalism. Under the outflow lies a Latvian face that is squashed under the weight of this excess. People are suspicious of capitalism and its new repressive controls that take advantage of cheap labour, natural resources and lax environmental laws.
A paint can dumped on its side is “labelled” with images of Russian leaders, from Peter the Great, to Lenin and Stalin. From this container pours a thick tar-like black substance that alludes to the suffering and death evoked by these figures.
Other Works in the Exhibition:
Untitled, 1989
Ceramic, overglaze decoration
Collection: Anita Dumins
Untitled, 1992
Ceramic, overglaze decoration
Collection: Anita Dumins
Untitled, 1992
Ceramic, overglaze decoration
Collection: Anita Dumins
ARTIST'S C.V.
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