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Artist's portfolio: http://smitesmits.com

Raitis Smits is a Riga based artist and curator. He is founder and artistic director of RIXC. He also works as assistant professor at the Latvian Academy of Arts (Visual Communication Dept.). He has received PhD degree from the Latvian Academy of Arts (March, 2015); the theme of his doctoral thesis was "New Media Art. Preserving and Representation Problematics". 

Since the mid-90s Raitis is working with emerging media technologies together with artist Rasa Smite. They are key founders of RIXC - Riga based artist collective and the center for new media culture, co-curators of Art+Communication festivals, and chief editors of Acoustic Space - peer-reviewed journal series.

Their art works are long-lasting ('slow'), process-based, experimental, often collaborations with other artists, networked, visionary and contextualized - as created in context with their regular festivals and reflected in the Acoustic Space publications. Through artworks, projects and events they together with RIXC  have been introducing novelty themes such as 'internet radio' (1997 / 1998 - their pioneering internet radio network project Xchange was awarded with PRIX Ars Electronica in), 'acoustic space lab' (since 2001 - collaboration with radio astronomers at Irbene Radiotelescope), 'locative media' (2003 - coined this term together with Marc Tuters), 'waves' (2006 and 2008 - co-curated large-scale exhibitions in Riga and Dortmund together with Armin Medosch), spectral ecology (2007). Since 2009 they are engaged in sustainability quests, building Renewable Network - North-European cooperation platform for art and science, and focusing on themes such as 'renewable energy' (2009), 'transbiotics' (2010), 'techno-ecologies' (2011), 'art of resilience' (2012).

More recently, Raitis and Rasa have organized the 5th Media Art Histories: ReNew conference in Riga, 2013, and co-curated large-scale exhibition FIELDS in Riga, May-August, 2014 together with Armin Medosch. Now out is also their book "Talk to Me" (2014) that introduces their artistic research project on human-plant communication. Their extensive art and science research project and networked sound installation "Biotricity" (created together with sound artist Voldemars Johansons) was recently exhibited in "Project Genesis" exhibition in the Ars Electronica Center (2013-2014), and new, the updated version - in the FIELDS exhibition in Riga (2014).

Currently, online is available also live stream from Pond Battery - RIXC's ongoing art and science experiment with 'bacteria battery' technology in outdoor environment:
http://rixc.org/camera.html
 

CV

General Data

Raitis Smits

16.11.1966, Riga, Latvia

Latvian

11. Novembra krastmala 35 – 94, LV 1050, Riga, Latvia, phone: 371-7210297

 

Education (institution, graduation time, level of education (degree)).

2015 – Dr.Arts, Art Academy of Latvia. Doctoral thesis – New Media Art. Preservation and representations problematics. 

2009 – 2012 Doctoral studies at the Art Academy of Latvia

2000 – MA, the Art Academy of Latvia

1993 – 1994 Visual and Performing Arts School in Kampen, the Netherlands

1986 – 1993 Art Academy of Latvia

1982 – 1986 Riga Applied Arts College

 

History of Employment

Currently: Assistant professor at the Art Academy of Latvia, Visual communication dept., where he has worked as lecturer since 1999

Since 2012 lecturer in Riga Stradins University (Multimedia communication programme)

Since 2009 lecturer at the University of Liepaja, (New media arts program)

2003 – 2005 professor at Estonian Academy of Arts (MA program at E-Media center)

2000 – 2001 lecturer at the J.Rozentala Riga Arts College.

Since 2000 co-founder and aristic director in RIXC center for new media culture

1998 – 1999 lecturer at the Art Academy of Latvia (New media history course for MA students)

Since 1999 tutor in the Visual Communication Department at the Art Academy of Latvia

1996 – 2000 co-founder and director of E-Lab, electronic arts and media center

 

Artworks and Exhbitions 

2015, Novembr 5 - 7 – “Talk to Me” installation (together with Rasa Smite), exhibition “Superconduction”, curator Daria Parkhomenko / LABORATORIA Art&Science Space / Moscow, Doma Square 2, Riga, Latvia

2015, October 9 - November 22 - “Talk to Me” installation, “Data Drift” exhibition, as a part of RIXC Art and Science Festival, kim? Contemporary Art Center, Riga, Latvia

2015, October 7 – November 22 – “Pond Battery. Poetics of Green Energy” installation, exhibition “North. Transformative Ecologies”, RIXC Gallery, Riga, Latvia

2015, september 24 - October 24 - “Pond Battery” video installation, exhibition “Poetique de Flux”, Toulouse, France

2015, August 19 – 30  “Biotricity – bacteria battery”, “Pond Battery. Poetics of Green Energy” and “Talk to Me. Human-plant communication”, exhibition “Transformative Ecologies”, Maison du Design, Mons, Belgium

2015, March-July – “Biotricity – Bacteria Battery” art-science installation, “Green Room” exposition, Stockholm Technical Museum, Sweden

2014, May-August – “Biotricity 1.46 V” art-science installation, FIELDS exhibition, Arsenals Exhibition Hall of National Art Museum, Riga, Latvia

2013, July – 2014, July – “Biotricity” art-science installation, “Project Genesis. Synthetic Biology” exhibition, Ars Electronica Center, Linz, Austria

2013, May-June __ “Bacteria Battery No 8”, networked sound installation, in collaboration with Rasa Smite, Voldemars Johansons and Martins Ratniks. WRO 2013 biennale, Wroclow, Poland

2013, June – “Bacteria Battery No. 9” networked sound installation, Dutch Technology Week, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

2013, May–July – “Bacteria Battery No. 8” networked sound installation, WRO biennale, Wroclaw, Poland

2012, October – “Bacteria Battery #5” networked sound installation, Art of Resilience exhibition, RIXC Media Space, Riga, Latvia

2012, June–August – “Talk To Me” human-plant communication project, Riga Botanical Garden, Riga, Latvia

2012, May–August Installation “Talk To Me” exhibition “Gateways”, Curated by Sabine Himmelsbach, House of Electronics Arts Basel, Basel, Switzerland

2011, November Electronic light object “Burtnieks” Latvian national library fasade, festival “Staro Rīga”, Riga, Latvia

2011, May–September Project “Renew-ability” exhibition “Gateways”, Curated by Sabine Himmelsbach, KUMU museum, Tallinn, Estonia

2011, April–May Installation “Talk To Me” exhibition “Grow_ability”, kim?, Riga, Latvia

2011, March Installation “Talk To Me”, festival “Pixelache”, Helsinki, Finland

2010, November–December Net art project Ozone, exhibition “We are on the net. net.art.lv”, kim?, Riga, Latvia

2010, May–September Project and installatio “Long Bean”, RIXC media Space, Riga, Latvia

2009, January Internet art project "Xchange" preservation and development of archived version for collection of Latvian Contemporary Arts museum.

2008, October Video “ Skrunda signal” exhibition “Spectropia”, Riga, Latvia

2008, August Internet streaming performance “Universe Listening Station” White night festival, Riga, Latvia
2008, May–June Video “Skrunda signal” exhibition “Waves”, Dortmund, Germany
2008, February Presentation “Skrunda Signal”, media arts festival Transmediale, Berlin, Germany
2007, September Presentation at IASA-BAAC conference “Building an Archive for the Future”. Rīga, Latvia
2007, May-June Exposition-installation “Spectral ecology”, festival “Art+Communication”, Riga, Latvia

2007, March Video-installation “RT-32 Acoustic Space Lab”, 2nd Moscow Biennale of Contemporary Art, exposition “Monuments of our Discontent: Expiration of Place”, Moscow, Russia

2006, October Video screening “RT-32 Acoustic Space Lab”, Tesla gallery, Berlin, Germany

2006, May Installation “Solar Radio Station”, HMKV, Dortmund, Germany

2005, October Exhibition and workshops “Spectrography”, Point Ephemere gallery, Paris, France

2005, September Ars Electronica festival, PRIX Ars Electronica Golden Nica award for project MILK (Ieva Auzina, Esther Polak, RIXC), website design and development for project MILK, Linz, Austria

2005, June Realtime streaming project “Radioastronomy” (in collaboration with radioqualia/NZ), Sonar festival, Barcelona, Spain

2004, August Presentation at ISEA2004, panel The Esthetics of Collaboration, Tallin, Estonia

2004, April Lecture at festival EMAF about media art in Latvia, Germany

2004, February Participation in media arts festival Transmediale, net radio panel, Berlin, Germany

2003, October Installation "Open Sky" in collaboration with Ewen Chardronnet and Radioqualia, Paris, France

2003, September Participation in RAM3 panel on new media education, Tallinn, Estonia

2002, November Installation "RT32: Acoustic Space Lab" in World Information exhibition in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2002, October Presentation in conference "BridgesII" - Cultural scientists of Acoustic Space Lab in Banff Center, Canada

2001, October Presentation in media conference "Futurescreen01:TILT", Australia

2001, August Participant of international symposium and streaming session "Acoustic Space Lab" at RT32, Irbene, Latvia

2001, June Presentation at symposium "Interactive Screen" in Banff center, Canada

2001, May Giving lecture and workshop at Kulturverkstan media education course, Goethenburg, Sweden

2000, November "E-Culture Fair" presentation of "Acoustic Space-3" and project "Xchange", Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2000, October "Net.Congestion", coordination of net.radio.web.tv night, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2000, November "DEAF 2000", premier presentation of "Acosutic.Space-3", Rotterdam, The Netherlands

2000, November Presentation at festival "Medi@Terra", Athens, Greece

2000, August Festival "Art+Communication 4", presentation at festival conference, Riga, Latvia

 

Curatorial work, lectures and presentations (last 10 years)

2013, May Paper “Art as Research” PHD confernce in Latvian Academy of Art, Riga, Latvia
2013, March Paper “New Media Art with and without a Canon” PHD confernce in Latvian Academy of Art, Riga, Latvia

2013, March Presentation and workshop leader “Building Bacteria Battery”, Basel Art Academy, Basel, Switzeland

2013, February Moderator of the discussion about archiving of new media art, AV Arkki, Helsinki, Finland

2013, January Presentation “Bacteria Battery”, festival “Transmediale”, Berlin, Germany

2012, December Presentation in conference “Collecting and Presenting Born-Digital Art”, Van Abbemuseum, Eindhovena/NL

2012, October Festival “Art+Communication: Art od Resilience” curator and organizer, RIXC, Riga, Latvia

2012, March Paper at PHD confernce in Latvian Academy of Art, Riga, Latvia

2012, June Lecture at University of Lineburg, Lineburg, Germany

2011, December Lectures at UC Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, USA

2011, November Festival “Art+Communication: Techno Ecologies”, curator and organizer, RIXC, Riga, Latvia

2011, March Presentation “Renewable Network”, festival “Pixelache”, Helsinki, Finland
2010, September Moderator of the conference of the “Article” biennale, Stavanger, Norway

2010, March Presentation in conference “Art and Technoscience”, festival “Pixelache”, Helsinki, Finland

2009, December Training program "Organized networks" organizer and participant, Riga, Latvia

2009, October Festival "Art+Communication: Energy" organizer and exhibition "Energy" curator, Riga, Latvia

2009, August Symposium "Art and renewable technologies", organizer and participant, Aizpute, Latvia

2009, May Curator of the film program "Beautiful world" at RIXC Media Space, Riga, Latvia

2008, November Curator and organizer of the solo exhibition of Girts Korps, Riga, Latvia
2008, October Festival "Art+Communication: Spectropia" organizer, curator of the exhibition “Spectropia” Riga art space, Riga, Latvia
2008, August Co-author of the RIXC program for White night festival, Riga, Latvia
2008, May-June Curator of the exhibition “Waves”, Dortmund, Germany
2008, March Audio and radio workshop conductor at AV festival, Newcastle, United Kingdom
2008, February Festival "Transmediale", presentation "Skrunda Signal", Berlin, Germany

2007, October "Art+Communication: Spectral Ecology” festival, curator and organiser, Riga, Latvia

2006, November "Mobile Home” festival, presentation, Marseile, France
2006, August Festival "Art+Communication:Waves" organizer, curator of the exhibition “Waves”, exhibition hall Arsenals of the LNMA, Riga, Latvia

2006, April "Mal au pixel” festival, presentation, Paris, France

2005, May "Space and perception” symposium, presentation, Riga, Latvia

2004, September Festival "Art+Communication: TCM”, curator and organizer, Riga, Latvia

2004, May "RAM5: Open source architecture” workshops, curator and organiser, Riga, Latvia

2004, February "Transmediale” festival, presentation in panel Radio art, Berlin, Germany

2003, August Organization and concept of Locative Media workshop in Karosta/Liepaja , Latvia

2003, May “Art+Communication : Media Architecture” festival organizer and exhibiton curator, Riga, Latvia

2002, November "World-information.org", exhibition and conference, lecture-presentation in Amsterdam, NL

2002, October "BridgesII", international conference, lecture-presentation, Banff, Canada

2001, October "TILT", international conference, lecture, Sydney, Canada

2001, September Festival "Art+Communication" curator and organizer, Riga, Latvia

2001, August "Acoustic Space Lab" symposium idea author and organizer at RT32, Irbene, Latvia

2001, August "Interactive screen", international conference, presentation, Banff, Canada

2000, November "E-Culture fair", lecture about "Acosutic.Space" and Xchange projects, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

2000, November "Medi@terra", lecture in media arts festival in Athens, Greece

2000, February "Transmediale", conference, lecture in streaming media panel, Berlin, Germany

 

Publications

Šmits Raitis. "Xchange Open Channel: Co-broadcast Experiments in the Net.", raksts grāmatā "Readme!", Brooklyn: Autonomedia, 1999, p. 349-350. (angļu val.)

Šmits Raitis. "Jo dati var atrasties jebkur", raksts raksts festivāla "Māksla + komunikācijas" katalogā "Akustiskā telpa" nr. 1, Rīga: E-LAB, 1998 43.-44. lpp. (latviešu un angļu val.)

Šmits Raitis, Šmite Rasa. "Māksla+komunikācijas: Viļņi" raksts festivāla "Māksla + komunikācijas" katalogā "Akustiskā telpa" nr. 6, Rīga: RIXC, 2006. 10.–13.lpp. (latviešu un angļu val.)

Šmits Raitis, Šmite Rasa. "Acoustic Space Laboratory", raksts grāmatā–rakstu krājumā "Re-Inventing Radio. Aspects of Radio as Art" (Ed. Grundmann, Heidi, etc.), Frankfurt am Main, Revolver: 2008. 493.–506. lpp. (angļu val.)

Šmits Raitis, Šmite Rasa. "Mēs esam tīklā – mēs esam tīkls", raksts grāmatā "Deviņdesmitie, Laikmetīgā māksla Latvijā", Rīga, LLMC 2010. 316. - 331. (latviešu un angļu val.)

Šmits Raitis, Šmite Rasa. "0,36 volti biešu sulas", raksts vizuālo mākslu žurnālā "Studija", Rīga, Neputns, 2009. 20. - 27. lpp. (latviešu un angļu val.)

Šmits Raitis, "In Responce" Article biennāles konferences publikācija internetā. http://www.article.no/en/content/news/2010/read-reflections-conference-moderators (skatīta 07.12.2010)

Šmits Raitis, Vēbere Linda. "net.art", raksts izstādes "Mēs esam tīklā. net.art.lv" katalogā, Rīga, Rixc, 2010. 5. - 11. lpp. (latviešu un angļu val.)

Šmits Raitis, Rasa Šmite "Renewable tīkla mākslinieki - ilgtspējīgas nākotnes meklējumos". Akustiskā telpa #8. Enerģija. Rīga: RIXC; Liepāja: LiepU, MPLab, 2011.g. (latviešu valodā 209 - 223 lpp. un angļu valodā 174 - 190 lpp.)

Šmits Raitis "Jauno mediju māksla un tās sākotnējā vide". Akustiskā telpa #9. Māksla kā pētniecība. Rīga: RIXC; Liepāja: LiepU, MPLab, 2011.g. (latviešu valodā 159 - 165 lpp. un angļu valodā 147 - 158 lpp.)

Šmits Raitis, Šmite Rasa “Jaunas tehno-ekoloģiju mākslas prakses” - Akustiskā telpa. Recenzēts žurnāls par mākslu, zinātni, tehnoloģijām un sabiedrību. (latviešu valodas izdevums) 2013

Smite Rasa, Smits Raitis “Liberatory” – the Future of Laboratories and Libraries in the Knowledge Society. In: A New Form of Library or Laboratory. Stockholm: The Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts, 2013

publicēts: http://www.stdh.se/aktuellt/nyhetslista-1/labbtanken

 

Awards, grants

2005 Fellowship of the Latvian Cultural Foundation

2003 The Leonardo award for installation Open Sky exhibited in Paris in festival Art Outsiders in collaboration with Ewen Shardone and Radioqualia

2002 Nomination for "World Technology Awards" (USA)

2000 The award of the year in visual arts in Latvia in multimedia category for new media festival "Arts + Communicarion: Media Architecture"

1999 Fellowship of the Latvian Cultural Foundation

1998 Together with Rasa Smite, Jaanis Garancs & E-LAB received the 2nd prize of PRIX Ars Electronica 98 for "Xchange" project.

Artist Portfolio (website): http://smitesmits.com

Rasa Smite is Riga and Karlsruhe based artist and co-founder of RIXC Art Science Center in Riga, Latvia. She holds her PhD in sociology of media and network cultures. Currently she is a Professor and Head of MACT (Media Art and Creative Technologies) joint PhD Study Program by Liepaja University and RISEBA University of Applied Sciences, and Researcher at Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, Switzerland.  

In her artistic practice, she works together with Raitis Smits as an artist duo, together creating visionary and networked artworks – from pioneering internet radio experiments in the 1990s; artistic investigations in electromagnetic spectrum and collaborations with radio astronomers; to more recent “techno-ecological” explorations and climate change research – creating immersive experiences using scientific data, sonification, visualization, AI and XR tools, and sound.

Their artworks have been awarded (Falling Walls – Science Breakthrough / Art and Science 2021, PRIX Ars Electronica 1998), nominated (International Public Arts Award - Eurasian Region 2021; Purvitis Prize 2019 and 2021),  and shown widely including at the Venice Architecture Biennale, Beijing Art and Technology Biennale, Liechtenstein Museum of Fine Arts, National Art Museum of Latvia, Van Abbe Musum of Modern and Contemporary Arts (Eindhoven, NL), ZKM Karlsruhe, HeK (Basel, CH), Ars Electronica (Linz, AT), and other venues, exhibitions and festivals in Europe, the United States, Canada and Asia.


CV

E-mail: rasa.smite@rixc.org

Phone(LV/Whatsapp): +371-26546776

Phone(DE): +49-151-70253748

 

http://smitesmits.com (portfolio website)
http://rixc.org (RIXC Art Science Center)

 

Education and Academic Degrees:

2011 – PhD (in sociology of media and culture) from Riga Stradins University for thesis – ”Creative Networks. In The Rear-View Mirror of Eastern European History”, published by The Institute of Networked Cultures, Amsterdam, 2012.

2006-2009 – Riga Stradins University, PhD studies in Sociology of Media and Culture

1999-2000 – Arts Academy of Latvia, Fine Arts (received degree Mag. Art)

1993-1994 – ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Zwolle/Kampen, The Netherlands

1988-1993 – Art Academy of Latvia, Visual Arts (received Bc. art, and professional diploma in Arts)
1984-1988 – Design and Arts College, Riga, LV

 

Employment (current and recent):

  • Researcher at the Academy of Art and Design (HGK) the University of Applied https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kkDAfGNN3UAmxBD47jfu5-M2M1ELi2J3Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, FHNW (2017-2026)

  • Professor in New Media Art, and Senior Researcher in Art Research Laboratory / Liepaja University (since 2017-)

  • Lecturer at MIT ACT - Program in Art, Culture and Technology / School of Architecture and Planning, Boston, US (2018-2021)

  • Guest Professor at HfG University, Karlsruhe, Germany (2019-2021) 

  • Founding Director and Curator at the RIXC Center for New Media Culture (since 2000)

Teaching (academic courses):

 

Liepaja University (Professor) / RISEBA University for Applied Sciences (joint study programs with Liepaja)

  • Digital Art (1) AR, VR and Immersive Environments  (MA) (2018-2023)

  • Digital Art (2): ML, AI and Data Visualization (MA) (2018-2023)

  • Interactive Media and Multimedia Performances / (MA) (2016-2023)

  • Visual Culture and New Media Aesthetics (2017-2023)

  • Conceptual Thinking, Media Theory and Creative Research Methods (MA) Liepaja University & RISEBA University for Applied Sciences (2016-2023)

  • Art and Design Research Methodology (BA), Liepaja University, Liepaja, Latvia (2011-2023)

  • Artistic Practice and Research Methodologies (DR) Liepaja University, Latvia (since 2013)

  • Social Network Analysis and Network Theories (DR), (2013-2017)

MIT ACT - Art Culture Technology program (Visiting Lecturer 2018-2021, Guest Lectures and Reviews 2021-2022)

  • Artist, Tinkerer, Architect, Engineer (4.s32) / MIT ACT (co-teaching contributions to the course by Prof. Judith Barry, inputs, guest lectures, mid-and final reviews) (Fall 2022, Spring 2022)

  • Artistic Methodologies: Art, Science and Experiential  Aesthetics (4.s32) / MIT ACT (full course by Rasa Smite and Raitis Smits, together with Prof. Judith Barry) (Spring 2021)

  • Introduction in Sound Creation (4.320/1). Expanding Field Radio and Acoustic Immersions // Immersive Acoustic Environments / MIT ACT - Art, Culture and Technology program, Boston (undergrad/grad., together with Raitis Smits) (Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Fall 2019, Spring 2021).

 

Stanford University (Guest Lectures and Workshops, 2017, 2022)

  • Future Media-Media Archeology: Bacteria Battery / Stanford University (Spring 2022,  workshop contribution to the class by Prof. Paul DeMarinis)

 

Art Academy of Latvia, Riga (Lecturer, 2021-2022)

  • Design for Society and Sustainability (Photogrammetry, Unity, VR) / grad./MA level / The Art Academy of Latvia (Fall 2021)

 

HfG Karlsruhe, Germany(Guest Professor, 2019-2021)

  • BioSensing: Bacteria Battery workshop (Summer/Winter Semester 2020-2021)

  • BioSensing and EcoAesthetics. Ecosystem Perspective, Living Data and Visualizing Interactions  / Art and Design Academy HfG - Karlsruhe, Germany (Winter Semester 2019-2020)

  • Virtualities and Realities. New Experiences, Art and Ecologies in Immersive Environments  (HfG Karlsruhe, (Winter Semester 2019-2020)

  • Techno-Ecologies: Art in the Age of Post-Media (1) / HfG Karlsruhe, Germany (Summer Semester 2019)

  • Techno-Ecologies: Listening, Sensing and Visualizing (2) / HfG Karlsruhe, Germany (Winter Semester 2018-2019)

 

FHNW Art and Design Academy, Basel, Switzerland (Scientific Researcher / Lectures and Workshops, 2017-2021)

  • Sensing Wild Plants in Techno-Urban Environment / together with Dr Yvonne Volkart, Art and Design Academy FHNW, Basel, Switzerland (2019-2020)

 

Riga Stradins University (Lecturer, 2006-2015)

  • Social Network Analysis and Network Theories - Riga Stradins University (BA, MA)

  • Internet Media and Critical Cultures (BA) - Riga Stradins University (BA, MA)

 

 

Artistic Practice and Exhibitions (selected, last 6 years)

 

In her artistic practice, Rasa Smite works together with Raitis Smits as the artist duo. 

Portfolio website: http://smitesmits.com

 

Solo Shows:

 

2023, 22.06–31.07 – “Deep Sensing”, immersive installation, MEET Digital Art Center, Milan, IT

2023, 15–16.03 – Atmospheric Experiences, Exhibition (Atmospheric Forest, Deep Sensing), ONX Studio / Onassis Gallery, New York, US 

2023, 8.03 – Atmospheric Forest, VR experience show, ZHdK  Immersive Art Space, Zurich, CH

2022, 5.–7.08 - Atmospheric Forest, single-channel immersive installation, Theatre House Juras Varti, Ventspils, Latvia

2020, September - 2021, January 31 – “Atmospheric Forest” VR installation, RIXC Gallery, Riga, Latvia. The artwork is nominated for Purvitis Prize 2021, a major bi-annual visual arts prize in Latvia, and included in the collection of the National Museum of Art of Latvia.

2018, April 28 - May 9 - “Biotricity. Swamp Radio Laboratory” (2018) / Celebration of 50th anniversary of CAVS Program, MIT Center for Theoretical Physics, Boston, US

2018, January 19 - 26 – ”Fluctuations of Microworlds”, Galerija Kapelica, Ljubljana, Slovenia.

2017, September 9 - November 28 – “Fluctuations of Microworlds. Swamp Radio”, RIXC Gallery, Riga. The artwork was nominated for Purvitis Prize 2019, the major bi-annual visual arts prize in Latvia.

2017, September 5 - 30 – “Talk to Me. Human-plant communication” / Cita Nova Gallery, Great Amber Concert Hall, Liepaja, LV

2017, September  17 - 22 – RT-32. Acoustic Space Lab” (2002/2017), The European Planetary Science Congress, Radisson Blu Hotel Exhibition Hall, Riga, LV.

2016, August 29 – October 2 – “Talk to Me. Human-plant communication”, The National Library of Latvia, Riga, LV.

2016, May 25 - June 14 – Pond Radio, outdoor sound installation / Van Abbe Contemporary Art Museum, Eindhoven, NL

 

Group Shows:

 

2023, 1.–6.09 – Atmospheric Forest, immersive 2-channel video installation, “Rescaling The World”, Taiwan Technology and Society Academic Conference and International Group Exhibition of Technology Art, Taiwan Contemporary Culture Lab (C-Lab), Organizers: Taiwan Association for Science, Technology and Society (TASTS), Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Zone Sound Creative

2023, 5.05.–22.10 – Atmospheric Forest, VR, Parliament of Plants II exhibition, Liechtenstein Museum of Fine Arts, Vaduz, Liechtenstein

2023, 1.03–13.05 – Atmospheric Forest, VR, “more-than-human” exhibition, curator Jane Tingley, ONSITE gallery, Toronto, Canada

2022 - 2023, November 1-January 15,  Deep Sensing. RT-32 Revisited, immersive installation, Decolonizing Ecologies exhibition, curator Ieva Astahovska/Latvian Contemporary Art Center, Riga Art Space, Latvia

2022 - 2024, Atmospheric Forest, VR installation, Critical Zones traveling exhibition series, organized by ZKM Karlsruhe and Goethe Institute in Asia - 6 exhibitions in Colombo/Sri Lanka and Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, New Delhi and Bangalore / India.

2022, August 25-November 13, Atmospheric Forest (2020), VR installation. In “Earthbound'' exhibition, curated by Sabine Himmelsbach, Luxembourg - European Cultural Captial, Esch, LUX

2022, March 28-May 20 – Atmospheric Forest (2020), VR installation. Beijing Art and Technology Biennale BATB 2021, Central Academy of Fine Arts Museum, Beijing, China

2022, January 13-16 – “Pond Battery” (2014-2015), IAPA - International Award for Public Arts, exhibition of short-listed and published artworks, organized by Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Venue: The Westin Qingdao West Coast, Huangdao District, Qingdao, China

2020, July 24 - 2022, January 16 - January 9, 2022– Atmospheric Forest (2020), immersive 2-channel video installation / Critical Zones exhibition curated by Bruno Latour & Peter Weibel, ZKM, Karlsruhe, DE

2021, June 4 - August 2021 - Atmospheric Forest, immersive installation in Purvitis Prize Final Nominees exhibition, Latvian National Museum of Art, Riga, LV

2020, September 9 – Talk to Me performance, Forest Garden Greenhouse, live concert for Ars Electronica 2020 Kepler's Garden Program, Linz/Online

2020, From May 22 – Atmospheric Forest (2020), 360-video, online version / Critical Zones Exhibition Digital Platform, ZKM, Karlsruhe, Germany

https://critical-zones.zkm.de/#!/detail:atmospheric-forest

2020, July 19 - August 12 – Pond Battery (2015, video, 9:25 min) / From Matter to Data: Ecology of Infrastructures Screening Series, curated by Lukas Brasiskis and Inga Lace at Post MOMA website: https://post.moma.org/environment-data-ecology-infrastructures-screening/

2020, January 25 - January 3 – Fluctuations of Microworlds. Swamp Radio” (2018-2020) / Agents for Change | Facing the Anthropocene, co-curated by Nina Czegledy and Jane Tingley, THEMUSEUM, Kitchener/Ontario, Canada.

2019, September 5 - present – Bacteria Time (2019), permanent exposition, Futurium museum, Berlin.

2019, June 1 - August 20 - “Talk to Me, human-plant communication”, installation at “Talk to Me” exhibition from Latvian Contemporary Art Museum's collection, Akureyri Art Museum, Iceland

2019, May 24 - October 20 – ”Biotricity”, installation, in Eco-Visionaries exhibition curated by Sabine Himmelsbach, Karin Ohlenschläger and Yvonne Volkart, LABoral Center for Art and Creative Industries, Gijon, ES

2019, March 22 - May 31 - “Fluctuations of Microworlds” installation in Purvitis Prize 2019 Nominee's Exhibition, the National Art Museum of Latvia, Riga, LV

2018, September 4-10 - “Swamp Radio Wireless” / “Error” exhibition of Ars Electronica 2018 Festival, Linz, AT

2018, August 28 - November 11 - “Fluctuations of Microworlds”, and “Swamp Radio VR” installations in “Eco-visionaries” exhibition, HeK, Basel, CH

2018, May 23 - November 25 - “Biotricity – Swamp Radio Laboratory”, in Swamp School, Lithuanian Pavilion, Venice Architecture Biennale, IT

2017, October 20 – 2018, August 5 – “Biotricity. Fluctuations of Microworlds” installation, Open Codes exhibition, curated by Peter Weibel, ZKM, Karlsruhe, DE

2017, August 12 – 20 – “Biotricity. Fluctuations of Microworlds” (2017) / Oslo Fjord Ecologies Experience exhibition, RAM Gallery, Oslo, Norway

2017, June 24 – August 5 –  “Talk to Me (FR)” installation by Smite & Smits, Echo Chamber exhibition, Gantner Multimedia Space, FR

2017, June 16 – July 27 – “Talk to Me (IE)”, Echo Chamber exhibition, Rua Red Gallery, Dublin, Ireland

2017, June 9 – August 31 – “Talk to Me (LV)” installation by Smite & Smits, Echo Chamber exhibition,  Luznava manner, Rezekne, LV

2016, September 29 – November 2 – ”Pond Battery. Fluctuations of Microworlds”, installation by Smite & Smits, Open Fields – RIXC Art Science Festival exhibition. The National Library of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

2016, June 4 – 6 – “Biotricity. Pond Battery”, D-Days – Paris Design Festival, Paris, FR

2015, November 5 - 7 – “Talk to Me”, at “Superconduction” exhibition, curated by Daria Parkhomenko, Doma Square 2, Riga, LV

2015, October 9 - November 22 - “Talk to Me. Exploring Human-Plant Communication” installation in “Data Drift” – RIXC Festival exhibition co-curated by Lev Manovich and RIXC / RIXC Art Science Festival, kim? Contemporary Art Center, Riga, LV

2015, October 7 – November 22 – “Pond Battery. Poetics of Green Energy” installation in exhibition “North. Transformative Ecologies”, RIXC Gallery, Riga, LV

2015, september 24 - October 24 - “Pond Battery” video installation, “Poetique de Flux” exhibition, Toulouse, FR

2015, August 19 –-30 – 3 artworks: “Biotricity – bacteria battery”, “Pond Battery. Poetics of Green Energy” and “Talk to Me. Human-plant communication”, exhibition “Transformative Ecologies”, Maison du Design (Design Gallery), Mons, BE

2015, March-July – “Biotricity – Bacteria Battery” art-science installation, “Green Room” exposition, Stockholm Technical Museum, SE

2014, November 14 – 2015, February 1 – “RT-32. Acoustic Space Lab” video installation. “Solar System Perspective” Exhibition, National Museum of Arts, Riga, LV

2014, May – August, __ “Biotricity 1,46 V” installation at the FIELDS exhibition, co-curated by Armin Medosch and RIXC, Arsenals Exhibition Hall of National Art Museum, Riga, LV

2013, June - 2014, May __ “Biotricity”, art-science research project and networked sound installation / “Synthetic Biology _ Projekt Genesis”, Ars Electronica Center, Linz, AT 



Conferences and Academic Activities (selected)

 

Academic Conferences (2015-2022):

 

2022, October 5, Presentation in Sensoria 2022: The Art and Science of Our Senses Symposium (Toronto)

2022, June 16 - Rasa Smite, Raitis Smits “Experiential Aesthetics. New Research Methodologies in Art and Science”, Keynote panel, the 2-nd International Conference of the Department of Doctoral Studies “Synergy Between Humanities and Natural Sciences in Cultural History and Theory”, 16–17 June 2022, Riga, The Latvian Academy of Art

2021, October 20 - Panel EPICP Conference, “Catching Up To The Present To Reimagine The Future” Panel, 17th EPIC - Ethnographic Praxis in Industry, Virtual Conference, San Jose, CA, USA

2020, May 6 - “Atmospheric Forest”, artist talk at Ecodata: Techniques Matter symposium, Basel Academy of Art and Design, Switzerland.

2018, November 29 - Rasa Smite, “Intelligent Ecosystems” in the conference panel “AI in Everyday Life”, hosted by Prof. Lev Manovich, in Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, US

2018, May 26 - “Ecodata”, symposium panel at Swamp Pavilion (curated by Nomeda and Gediminas Urbonas), Venice Architecture Biennale 2018.

2017, November 23-25 – ”Fields. Transformative Potential of Arts in the Age of Post-Media”, lecture (together with Raitis Smits), Media Art Histories 2017: Re-Trace conference, Krems/Gotwig/Vienna, Austria

2016, March – “Living Matter and Inter-Species Communication: Challenging Changing Materiality in Arts” lecture in BioArt Symposium, Stavanger, Norway

2015, November – “Renewable Futures. Building Techno-Ecological Perspective in Art and Science” lecture in bio-art & bio-science seminar “Get A-life”, Piksel festival, Bergen, Norway

2015, June – “Renewable Futures. Art and Science Join Forces in Building Techno-Ecological Perspective” in public seminar “BioArt. BioScience. BioHacking”, Tehniska Museet, Stockholm, Sweden

2015, September 20-22 – “Renewable Network and Techno-Ecological Art Practices” in academic symposium “Art, Ecology and New Media”, Toulouse University, France

2015, April – “Renewable Futures – Exploring Transformative Potential of Art in the Age of Post-Media” lecture in “Changing Institutions” conference, Oslo and Akershus University College, Norway

2015, April 26 – “Transformative Potential of the Arts. On crossovers of science and technology, social interaction and environmental innovation” lectures in Mons 2015 – European Cultural Capital conference “Crossovers: Culture and Technology”, Mons, Belgium

 

Keynote Lectures and Artist Talks (2013-2022):

 

2023, March 7, IAS, ZHDK, Zurich, Switzerland

 

2022, November 17, Artist Talk “Atmospheric Forest. Visualizing Relations between Forest and Climate”,  Green De-Growth Conference “Oikos”, Muffathalle, Munich, Germany

2022. October 3, Keynote Talk “Atmospheric Forest Research”, Climate Finance Workshop, Swiss Italian University, Lugano, Switzerland

2021. November 4-6, Keynote panel in “Renewable Futures: FELT - Living Technologies” conference, Oslo  Metropolitan University.

2021, October 14-15, Keynote talk, “Environmental Anthropology 2021: Hope, Ruination and Environmentalism” Conference, School of Humanities, Tallinn University, Estonia 

2021, September 16, Artist Talk in “Terrestrial University: Visualizing Forest Ecosystems”, ZKM, Karlsruhe.

2021, June 16 - Keynote in RISEBA International conference, Riga, Latvia

2021, June 14 - Keynote talk in AUGE | Augmented Europe, Creative Europea's project closing conference.f

2021, June 9- Keynote in Artistic Research Doctoral conference “Music in Crises and Crisis in Music”, Bergen, Norway

2021, January 26 - Keynote Talk in the Museum's conference “Real Virtualities”, Riga, Latvia

2020, October 8 – “Atmospheric Forest. Volatile emissions and resin experiments” at the Ecodata keynote panel together with Yvonne Volkart and Markus Maeder, Ecodata / RIXC Festival conference, The National Library of Latvia.

2019, May 10 – “Green Revisited and Intelligent Ecosystems”, public guest lecture, HfG University Karslruhe

2018, “Techno-Ecologies”, lecture in “LunchTalk” panel, at MIT ACT, Art, Culture and Technology program, Boston, US

2017, April 28 – “Hybrid Economies” (together with Kristin Bergaust and Lily Diaz) / “Economia”, the 2nd Renewable Futures conference, Natlab, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

2016, June 6-7 – “Creative Networks. From Internet Radio Experiments to Techno-Ecological Art Practices” / Arts in Context conference, Agder University, Norway, 

2016, January – “Renewable Futures. Ecological Perspective in Contemporary Media Art” invited guest lecture / public talk in Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany
2015, November – “Renewable Futures and Techno-ecological Art Practices” / iWeek Conference, Liepaja University, Latvia

2015, September – “Fields. Techno-Ecological Art Practices” / “Cultural Heritage as a Resource” symposium, Serde Artist Residency Center, Aizpute, Latvia

2013, September – “Creative Networks. Shifts from Techno-Scientific to Techno-Ecological Paradigm” / “Synthesize!”,  international academic conference, Art and Design School (HGK), Basel, Switzerland

 

Academic Conferences – Organizational Boards:

 

2022, October 6-8, - Renewable Futures 2022: Splintered Realities, co-chair and organizer / RIXC Center for New Media Culture, Riga, Latvia.

2021, September 23-25 - Open Fields 2021: PostSensorium, co-chair and organizer / The National Library of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.

2020, October 8-10 – Open Fields 2020: Ecodata conference, co-chair and organizer / The National Library of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.

2019, July 4-7 – Open Fields 2019: Un/Green: Com/Post/Human, and N/AI” conference, co-chair and organizer, The National Art Museum of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

2019, May 15-16 - “Reality Turn” Conference, concept development and co-organizer, EUCIDA Digital Art Network, Luznava Manor, Rezekne, Latvia

2018, September 13-15, “Open Fields 2018: Global Control” conference co-chair and organizer, Riga, National Library of Latvia

2018, May 30 - June 1 – The 3rd RENEWABLE FUTURES conference: Hybrid Labs 2018, co-organizer, Aalto university, Helsinki, Finland 

2017, October, 19-21 – Open Fields 2017: Virtualities and Realities, co-chair and organizer / The Art Academy of Latvia and National Museum of Art, Riga, Latvia

2017, April 28-30 – The 2nd RENEWABLE FUTURES conference: Economia, co-organizer (together with Baltan), Natlab, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

2016, September 29-31 – Open Fields 2016, founder and co-chair of new Riga-based conference series on art and science research, the National Library of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

2015, October 8-10 – RENEWABLE FUTURES, founder and co-chair (together with Lev Manovich / Graduate Center of CUNY) of new traveling Baltic-Nordic-European conference series on digital art and artistic research, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, and The National Library of Latvia.

2014, May 15-18 – RENEWABLE FUTURES: Fields, pre-conference edition, related to FIELDS exhibition, Arsenals Exhibition Hall of The National Art Museum and Goethe Institute - Riga, Liepaja University.

2013, October 8-12 – Media Art Histories 2013: RENEW, chair and organizer, Stockholm School of Economics, Riga, Latvia

2010, SLSA EU - The European Society for Literature, Science and Art, 5th conference, in Riga, Stockholm School Of Economics, organizational board.



Publications

 

Peer-reviewed articles:

Rasa Smite, Raitis Smits, “Art in the Age of Post-Media: Exploring Patterns for Social, Scientific and Ecological Transformations”, in: Acoustic Space 16: “Renewable Futures, Art and Science in Post-Media Society”, RIXC: Riga, 2018.

Smite, Rasa, Raitis Smits. “Save As? Rethinking Representation of New Media Art — From Source Code to Stage Production. In: Data Drift. Archiving Media and Data Art in the 21st Century, Acoustic Space (Vol. 14). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2015, pp. 21-28

Smite, Rasa. “Creative Networks in Translocal Space of Digital Networks. In: Human Technologies: An Interdisciplinary Journal on Humans in ICT Environments, ISSN: 1795-6889, Vol. 9, No 1, May 2013

Smite, Rasa. Emerging Techno-Ecological Art Practices – Towards Renewable Futures. In: Techno-Ecologies, Acoustic Space (No 11). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2012.

Smite, Rasa. Xchange Network Artist Communities in the Acoustic Cyberspace. In: Abele, K. (Ed.). Personalities in Art Processes, Riga: Arts Academy of Latvia & Neputns Publisher, 2012.

Smite, Rasa. Creative Networks. A network, a Community or “just” a Mailinglist? In: Networks and Sustainability, Acoustic Space (Vol. 10). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2011.

Monographies:

Smits Raitis (Author), Smite Rasa (Editor). Jauno mediju māksla – saglabāšana un reprezentācija (published in Latvian, based on Raitis Smits' PhD) (New media art – preservation and representation, English translation coming soon), Riga: RIXC, 2022.

Smite, Rasa, Raitis Smits, Martins Ratniks. Talk to Me. Exploring Human-Plant Communication. Rīga: RIXC, Liepaja: LiepU, 2014 

Smite, Rasa. Creative Networks, In the Rear-View Mirror of Eastern European History. Amsterdam: The Institute of Network Cultures, 2012

Smits, Raitis, Smite Rasa. Net.art.lv: We are on the Net, We are the Net. Riga: RIXC, Liepaja: LiepU, 2010 

Peer-reviewed journal & books (editor):

Smite, Rasa, Jens Hauser, Kristin Bergaust, Raitis Smits. (Eds./Authors) Green Revisited. Acoustic Space (Vol. 19) / Renewable Futures (Issue 4). Riga: RIXC, Oslo: OsloMET, Liepaja: Mplab, 2022.

Smite, Rasa, Bergaust, Kristin & Silina, Daina. Oslofjord Ecologies. Acoustic Space (Vol. 18) / Renewable Futures (Issue 3). Riga: RIXC; Oslo: OsloMET, 2020

Smite, Rasa, Raitis Smits (Editors). Virtualities and Realities. Art and Ecologies in Virtual Age, Acoustic Space (Vol. 17) / Renewable Futures (Issue 2). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2019

Smite, Rasa, Armin Medosch, Raitis Smits (Editors). Renewable Futures. Art, Science and Society in Post-Media Age, Acoustic Space (Vol. 16). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2017

Smite, Rasa, Armin Medosch, Raitis Smits (Editors). Open Fields. Art and Science Practices in the Network Society, Acoustic Space (Vol. 15)/ Renewable Futures (Issue 1).  Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2016

Smite, Rasa, Lev Manovich, Raitis Smits (Editors). Data Drift. Archiving Media and Data Art in the 21st Century, Acoustic Space (Vol. 14). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2015

Smite, Rasa, Armin Medosch, Raitis Smits (Editors). Techno-Ecologies 2, Acoustic Space (Vol. 12). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2014 

Smite, Rasa, Eric Kluitenberg, Raitis Smits (Editors). Techno-Ecologies, Acoustic Space (Vol. 11). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2012

Smite, Rasa, Armin Medosch, Raitis Smits (Editors). Networks and Sustainability, Acoustic Space (No 10). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2011

Smite, Rasa, Kerstin Mey, Raitis Smits (Editors). Art as Research, Acoustic Space (Vol. 9). Riga: RIXC; Liepaja: LiepU MPLab, 2011

Other publications (articles in journals and book contributions)

Smite, Rasa, Raitis Smits. Futurs Renouvelables. Potentiel de Transformation de l'art a l'ere post-media. In: MCD (Magazine de Cultures Digitales), #79, September, October, November 2015, pp.62-63 [French translation: Valerie Vivancos]

Smite, Rasa. Sustainable Networks. In: Clemens Apprich, Felix Stalder (Hg.) Vergessene Zukunft. Radikale Netzkulturen in Europa. Bielefeld: transcript, Verlag für Kommunikation, Kultur und soziale Praxis, 2012

Smite, Rasa, Raitis Smits. We are on the net – we are the Net. In: Astahovska, Ieva (Editor). The Nineties. Riga: Latvian Contemporary Arts Center, 2010

Awards, Nominations and Fellowships

 

2021 - “Falling Walls - Science Breakthrough 2021” Winner in Art and Science category, for “Atmospheric Forest”

2021 - Nomination (shortlisted) of the 5th Fifth International Public Art Award (IAPA) award 2021 by Shanghai Academy of Fine Arts, Shanghai University and two international journals - Public Art Review, and Public Art, for “Pond Battery”, and will be published in Case Studies.

2021 – ”Purvitis Prize 2021”,  Finalist Nomination (together with Raitis Smits) for the “Atmospheric Forest” VR  artwork at Critical Zones exhibition, Karlsruhe, Germany.

2019 – ”Purvitis Prize 2019”, Finalist Nomination (together with Raitis Smits) for the “Fluctuations of Microworlds. Swamp Radio” artwork at RIXC Gallery, Riga, Latvia

2017 – “Excellence in Culture” Award (together with Raitis Smits) by Latvian Ministry of Culture. 

2008 — Award in Culture of «Preis der Deutschen Wirtschaft in Lettland», nomination for RIXC festival «Art+Communication: Spectropia»

2003 — Leonardo-@rt Outsiders 2003 New Horizons Award (Paris, France) for Open Sky, together with Raitis Smits, radioqualia (New Zealand), curated by Ewen Chardroneet (France).

2002 — Nomination (long-list) for World Technology Awards (USA). 

1998 – Awarded with PRIX Ars Electronica 98 for Xchange — net.radio network project. 

 

Languages

English - fluent and proficient speaking, reading and writing (advanced level, C1)
German - speaking and reading, basic communication (basic level, A2, studying B1)
Latvian - Native

CONTACTS

rixc@rixc.org

+371 67228478 (office)

+371 26546776 (Rasa Smite)