The Case at the Café: Still life of the Artist by Rūsiņš Rozīte

kim? 

Rūsiņš blended with his colours.
He had stepped into the coloured Lethe
They said – death was his destiny.
I say - painting was his destiny.
As well as not painting.
He painted many canvases, yet he himself remained
Half-painted.
Everybody could see his half-painted side.
That's why they said "Destiny".
And Rūsiņš has rolled over in his grave.

Purposeful half an hour at the restaurant or “The Case at the Café” invites to raise glasses of wine in honour of the lost glory of bohemianism. Beaten artists, frozen poets…
Elegancy is not popular in Riga and the perversion of storytelling has been left in previous centuries in order to devote themselves to babbling around or to say – discursive turn.
 
On this scenery the bohemianism poem by poet Andris Bergmanis is highlighted for further meditation by critiques and witnesses to set the scene for display a painting by Rūsiņš Rozīte (1943 - 1978) Still life of an artist within series The Case at the Café on the 2nd of February at 5.30 pm on the ground floor of the kim? Contemporary Art Centre at restaurant Kitchen.

On the opening night a reading by art historian Šelda Puķīte will grow into story telling memory evening in the presence of eyewitnesses. The (Still) life of the artist will be exhibited at the restaurant Kitchen till the 17th of March within the working hours.

Poem by Andris Bergmanis “Crazy stuff was our lifestyle. Bohemianism and more” published in magazine Karogs, 2003, Nr. 12. Translated by Anda Baklāne and Anna Celmiņa.

Thanks to: Artist Union of Latvia, State Cultural Capital Foundation, Jānis Jenzis and restaurant Kitchen, RBSSKALS, GroGlass.