On Friday, December 10th, 5 PM you are kindly invited to join the presentations of the new Deep Sensing: Ecologies of Post-Soviet Military Industries research project by RIXC artists Rasa Šmite and Raitis Šmits on-site and online, as well as Virtual Dinner with the Scientists – a discussion with radio astronomers from VIRAC radio telescope, in-person at the RIXC gallery in Lencu iela 2 in Riga, and online in Zoom and FB on Friday. The Dinner with Scientists takes place within the framework of the Ecosystems of Change: a series of artistic research, conversations, and experiences by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA). The event is supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation (VKKF) program "KultūrELPA".

In 2001, the RT-32 radio telescope in Irbene, Western Latvia, hosted the legendary symposium on radio astronomy and sound art: “RT-32 Acoustic Space Lab.” At that time, only a few years had passed since scientists and society had learned of the existence of this secret object. After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the withdrawal of its military forces from Latvia in 1994, this object was given to scientists. The gigantic 32-meter antenna was designed to receive signals from the air and depths of space and was once used for both spying and interception of artificial satellite signals.

Twenty years later, returning to the Irbene radio telescope—which now functions as Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, home to scientific research into deep space exploration and now open to tourists—RIXC artists Rasa Šmite and Raitis Šmits are launching a new art research project titled “Deep Sensing”. This project focuses on socio-ecological issues. We ask: How has this isolated object of communication and the legacy of the secret Soviet military industry has changed and what is its role today, when some of the most pressing issues are the challenges posed by climate change and the pandemic? 

With the “Deep Sensing” project the artists would like to take a critical look at the tools of modern civilization as a glorification of the fulfillment of intellect, imagination and desire, isolated from our sensory world, bodily experience and environment... In “Deep Sensing” we use new “remote sensing” technologies, immersive media and aesthetic practices to create new visions for the future in a socio-ecological direction.

Program
Friday, December 10, 17.00-19.00
RIXC Gallery, Lenču iela 2 / Online

17.00–18.00 – The Deep Sensing multimedia project presentation and discussion by Rasa Šmite and Raitis Šmits on-site at RIXC Gallery.

18.00–19.00 – discussion online with the scientist of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre, Vladislavs Bezrukovs, on the current science projects in the radio telescope in Irbene, black holes, military technologies and signal transmissions.

We will offer wine and snacks to the on-site visitors of the Virtual Dinner.

 The Dinner with Scientists takes place within the framework of the Ecosystems of Change: a series of artistic research, conversations, and experiences by the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art (LCCA). The event is supported by the State Culture Capital Foundation (VKKF) program "KultūrELPA".