Adomas Narkevičius

Untamed Assembly: Backstage of Utopia Latvian Pavilion @labiennale ✨Opening on May 8 at 13:00 at the Arsenale! Untamed Assembly: Backstage of Utopia presents newly commissioned work by the interdisciplinary artist duo @mareunrols that has emerged in dialogue with the archives of Untamed Fashion Assemblies (UFA) – a series of experimental fashion, art, and performance events held in Riga between 1990 and 1999 that were initiated by alternative fashion designer @brunobirmanis Linking past and present, the exhibition highlights utopian thinking in times of transition, asking how collective imagination, desire, and visibility emerge amid shifting political and economic systems—and how futures and new forms of togetherness can be rehearsed behind the scenes rather than on centre stage. MAREUNROL’S installation rethinks UFA’s legacy from a contemporary perspective, conceived as a backstage—an in-between space of preparation, invisible labour, joy, improvisation and human connection. Curators: @lace.inga & @adomas.n Commissioner: @solvitakrese Architect: @livakrei Sound design: @kruminsilja & @r___p___s Latvian pavilion is: commissioned by @kulturas_ministrija Organized by @lcca.lv Created in collaboration with @rigastories Logistics partner: @dhlexpresslatvia Supporters: @signet_bank , Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, @vvfoundationlv , @cobaltlegal_lv , Poligrāfijas grupa MŪKUSALA, Kronus, @mccannriga , Dūrmuiža, @pro1stage , @followart.world , @latvijas_finieris , Antalis, Liepaja Music, Art and Design School , @madaracosmetics , SIA Gaismu cehs, @kate_mebeles , Steel Tech and @irve_latvija . #biennalearte2026 #inminorkeys #riga #latvia

Getting ready for the Baltic Pavilions x Upė Foundation party

✨ Opening of the Latvian Pavilion Untamed Assembly: Backstage of Utopia on May 8 at 13:00 at the Arsenale — we’d love to see you there! Untamed Assembly: Backstage of Utopia presents newly commissioned work by the interdisciplinary artist duo @mareunrols that has emerged in dialogue with the archives of Untamed Fashion Assemblies (UFA) – a series of experimental fashion, art, and performance events held in Riga between 1990 and 1999 that were initiated by alternative fashion designer @brunobirmanis Linking past and present, the exhibition highlights utopian thinking in times of transition, asking how collective imagination, desire, and visibility emerge amid shifting political and economic systems—and how futures and new forms of togetherness can be rehearsed behind the scenes rather than on centre stage. MAREUNROL’S installation rethinks UFA’s legacy from a contemporary perspective, conceived as a backstage—an in-between space of preparation, invisible labour, joy, improvisation, and human connection. Curators: @lace.inga & @adomas.n Commissioner: @solvitakrese Architect: @livakrei Latvian pavilion is: commissioned by @kulturas_ministrija Organized by @lcca.lv Created in collaboration with @rigastories Logistics partner: @dhlexpresslatvia Supporters: @signet_bank , Incestment and Development Agency of Latvia, @vvfoundationlv , @cobaltlegal_lv , Poligrāfijas grupa MŪKUSALA, Kronus, @mccannriga , Dūrmuiža, @pro1stage , @followart.world , @latvijas_finieris , Antalis, Liepaja Music, Art and Design School , @madaracosmetics , SIA Gaismu cehs, @kate_mebeles , Steel Tech and @irve_latvija . ➡️ www.latvianpavilion.lv #biennalearte2026 #inminorkeys

We’re almost ready to welcome you 👀 #behindthescenes ✨ Opening of the Latvian Pavilion Untamed Assembly: Backstage of Utopia on May 8 at 13:00 at the Arsenale! Artists: @mareunrols (new comission) & @brunobirmanis (founder of Untamed Fashion Assembly (1990–1999), archive) Curators: @lace.inga & @adomas.n Commissioner: @solvitakrese Architect: @livakrei Latvian pavilion is: commissioned by @kulturas_ministrija Organized by @lcca.lv Created in collaboration with @riga.lv & @rigastories Logistics partner: @dhlexpresslatvia Supporters: @signet_bank , Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, @vvfoundationlv , @cobaltlegal_lv , Poligrāfijas grupa MŪKUSALA, Kronus, @mccannriga , Dūrmuiža, @pro1stage , @followart.world , @latvijas_finieris , Antalis, Liepaja Music, Art and Design School , @madaracosmetics , SIA Gaismu cehs, @kate_mebeles , Steel Tech and @irve_latvija . ➡️ www.latvianpavilion.lv #biennalearte2026 #inminorkeys

Meet the curators of the Latvian Pavilion @untamedassembly at the 61st International Art Exhibition La Biennale di Venezia - Adomas Narkevičius & Inga Lāce! ✨ @adomas.n is a Lithuanian curator and art historian based in London and the Founding Director of @upefoundation . He curated the 15th @kaunasbiennial Life After Life (2025) and from 2021 to 2025 he was curator at the @cell_project_space London, previously he worked at the @rupert.vilnius where he led the Alternative Education, Public and Residencies programmes. ✨ @lace.inga is Chief Curator at the @almatymuseumofarts , Kazakhstan. She was C-MAP Central and Eastern Europe Fellow at @themuseumofmodernart , New York (2020–2023) and has been a curator at the @lcca.lv (2012–2020). In 2023 she co-curated New Visions — @henieonstad Triennial for Photography and New Media in Oslo, as well as the @kaunasbiennial , the contemporary art festival @survivalkit.lv 14 and the @mglcljubljana . ✨Explore the concept they have envisioned for the @labiennale together with the artists @mareunrols & @brunobirmanis ➡️ www.latvianpavilion.lv #biennalearte2026 #inminorkeys

“Untamed Fashion Assembly represents freedom, which due to pressures on society now, is something from the past. It’s in small pockets. Your job is to revive it!” 💬 @andrewlogansculptor 📽️ Jewelry and object’s show by Andrew Logan in Riga © Henry Stein. Video fragments from documentary about Untamed Fashion Assemblies (1990-1994). Courtesy of the artist. Bruno Birmanis Archive #latvianpavilion #biennalearte2026 #riga #latvia #90s

Like a stone thrown into water creates endless ripples, the impact of a single event can echo through the years. 📽️ with @ozwald_boateng 🌊🌊🌊 Untamed Fashion Assemblies, which took place in @riga.lv - the capital city of Latvia - in the early 1990s, was an event of this kind - bold, meaningful, worth revisiting as an inspiration for the new. #latvianpavilion #biennalearte2026 #riga #latvia #90s © Henry Stein. Video fragments from documentary about Untamed Fashion Assemblies (1990-1994). Courtesy of the artist. Bruno Birmanis Archive

Latvian pavilion loading 👀 What will the exhibition “Untamed Assembly: Backstage of Utopia” at @labiennale look like? We’re not quite ready to reveal that yet, BUT here’s a sneak peek #behindthescenes of the pavilion’s installation process in Riga — where, since January, the Latvian pavilion has gradually taken shape through dozens of hours of work carried out by the artists and creative team. The pavilion will be on view from May 9 to November 22 at the Arsenale in Venice. ✨Artists: @mareunrols (new comission) & @brunobirmanis (founder of Untamed Fashion Assembly (1990–1999), archive) ✨Curators: @lace.inga & @adomas.n Commissioner: @solvitakrese Architect: @livakrei Producer: @eliza.anna.reine ✨Latvian pavilion is: commissioned by @kulturas_ministrija Organized by @lcca.lv Created in collaboration with @riga.lv & @rigastories Logistics partner: @dhlexpresslatvia Supporters: @signet_bank , Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, @vvfoundationlv , @cobaltlegal_lv , Poligrāfijas grupa MŪKUSALA, Kronus, @mccannriga , Dūrmuiža, @pro1stage , @followart.world , FYUL, @latvijas_finieris , Antalis, Liepaja Music, Art and Design School , @madaracosmetics , SIA Gaismu cehs, @kate_mebeles , Steel Tech and @irve_latvija . ➡️ www.latvianpavilion.lv #biennalearte2026 #rigalatvia #untamedassembly #90s

hardcore sign of the times ➡️ 1992, Riga, Latvia OMON guard trying on silver @redordeadlondon boots before the Untamed Fashion Assembly show & Fashion designer @statkevicius_official on the runway. © Henry Stein. Video fragments from documentary about Untamed Fashion Assemblies (1990-1994). Courtesy of the artist. Bruno Birmanis Archive #rigalatvia #90s #90sfashion #redordead #biennalearte2026

Glitching through UFA runways © Henry Stein. Video fragments from documentary about Untamed Fashion Assemblies (1990-1994). Courtesy of the artist. Bruno Birmanis Archive #90s #90saesthetic #90sfashion #rigalatvia #biennalearte2026

Lambada playing in the background & Artemy Troitsky. Somewhere in 1990s Jūrmala. Do you need something else for context? 👀 © Henry Stein. Video fragments from documentary about Untamed Fashion Assemblies (1990-1994). Courtesy of the artist. Bruno Birmanis Archive #rigalatvia #90s #90sfashion #jūrmala #biennalearte2026

Burnel Penhaul – @alternative.miss.world 1991 – turning Rīga’s Old Town into a stage! 💥 Every step, every look – something Rīga had never seen before, back in 1992. © Henry Stein. Video fragments from documentary about Untamed Fashion Assemblies (1990-1994). Courtesy of the artist. Bruno Birmanis Archive #UntamedAssembly #90s #performance #burnelpenhaul #biennalearte2026