TOWARDS THE MULTIFUNCTIONALITY OF ART: RIGA OF 1901

Abstract

The issues related to local artistic expressions are raised in the context of the paper. The focus is on the cultural events that took place in 1901, with a special emphasis on the visual arts. In 1901, the 700th anniversary of the city of Riga was celebrated with a great flair. The celebrations and related events made a high impact on different classes of society. The phenomena observed in the context of socio-culture at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries call for a more detailed examination of whether visual arts is becoming more multifunctional, or whether visuality is used in a conceptualised manner in different areas of life. The events of art life analysed in the article prove the expansion of the functions of art. In the context of the anniversary exhibition, the social, ideological, educational and entertaining functions, as well as the highest function of art: art for art’s sake, are characterised.

The functions of art mentioned in the article are not the only functions; however, they allow us to see the multifunctionality of the 20th century art. The visual design of the 1901 anniversary exhibition is dominated by Art Nouveau, which, taking into account the idea of synthesis of art relevant to this style, ensures multifunctionality. The anniversary exhibition expands on a larger scale, and every element is essential for the conception of the exhibition. The overall vision of the exhibition, ideological content, structure, visual design, music, entertainment – the entire programme of the exhibition serves a common goal: to position Riga as a modern, European centre of economics, trade and culture in a contemporary modern form.