About things that are “right”. The solo exhibition Pretty But Useless by emerging artist Elīna Sanda Zaķe is on view.
- February the solo exhibition Pretty But Useless by emerging artist Elīna Sanda Zaķe was opened at the art gallery of Grand Poet Hotel. The exhibition continues the long-term collaboration between the hotel and the Art Academy of Latvia, which aims to support young artists and develop the contemporary art collection Grand Poet Art Collection.
The exhibition Pretty But Useless explores the relationship between objects, memory, and aesthetic appeal at a time when the value of things is most often measured by their functionality, relevance, or usability. The idea for the exhibition began with the artist’s interest in vintage aesthetics, which in this context is not perceived as a specific style or historical category. Rather, it encourages viewers to look at the works through the lens of personal experience, drawing attention to the presence of familiar forms, materials, and images that often go unnoticed in everyday life.
During the creation of the works, the artist deliberately avoids specific interpretations or providing answers, instead involving the viewer in her own personal curiosity. As Elīna Sanda Zaķe notes: “During the working process, simple questions appeared again and again – why some things seem valuable and others do not, and whether usefulness has any meaning at all. These questions were not solved or explained; they simply remained present throughout the creation of the works.”
Alongside paintings, text-based works, and objects, the exhibition features everyday, mass-produced items such as plastic chairs, bags, simple inscriptions, and food motifs. Removed from their usual logic of use, they become quiet, aesthetically charged images. A porcelain tableware series holds a special position in the exhibition, as these are the only objects with a deliberately acknowledged historical experience. Carefully selected in European antique shops and supplemented with sculptural, almost hyperreal food motifs, these pieces highlight the transformation of everyday, quickly consumed objects into lasting forms, continuing the reflection on the contrasts between value and consumption.
Since the beginning of her active career in 2020, Elīna Sanda Zaķe has consistently explored the symbolism of objects in her works, using various techniques and media. Her works have been exhibited both in Latvia and abroad, including in the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway, Germany, and Australia.
The exhibition is curated by Katrīna Jaunupe, founder and director of the foundation “Mākslai vajag telpu” / “Art Needs Space”, who actively seeks opportunities to present art outside its traditional spaces in order to reach a broader audience and introduce viewers to the development of contemporary art in Latvia. This approach also aligns with the mission of Grand Poet Hotel – to promote the visibility of young artists and the presence of art in everyday environments.
Commenting on the collaboration with the Art Academy of Latvia, Māris Alnis, manager of Grand Poet Hotel, states: “We are very proud that our collaboration with the Art Academy of Latvia continues, allowing us to discover young artists and introduce our guests to the development of Latvian contemporary art. Exhibitions have become an integral part of our identity, and, much like the questions the artist addresses in her works, we too seek the extraordinary in the seemingly self-evident in our everyday work.”
The exhibition Pretty But Useless will be on view at the Grand Poet Hotel gallery until autumn of this year. Visitors have the opportunity not only to discover and purchase Elīna Sanda Zaķe’s works, but also to vote in person for their favourite piece, thereby participating in the development of the hotel’s art collection. The work that receives the highest visitor rating will be included in the Grand Poet Art Collection, which already contains works by 15 young artists.
To date, the collection includes works by Madara Kvēpa, Justīne Seile, Ella Mežule, Agate Bernāne, Kristīne Rublovska, Laura Veļa, Sandra Strēle, Roberts Bāliņš, Alise Builevica, Madara Freidenfelde, Haralds Saknītis, Megija Zonne, Paula Viļuma, Elīna Vagre, and Katrīna Levāne, displayed across all floors of the hotel as well as in the inner courtyard.
Photo (Lauris Vīksne)
About Grand Poet Art Collection
On 14 June 2018, the Art Academy of Latvia and the hotel chain Semarah Hotels signed a cooperation memorandum in support of young artists and their development. Its aim is to support the Academy’s students and young Latvian artists – to encourage new achievements, build self-confidence and foster international careers, provide financial support for talent development, and offer space for solo exhibitions, thereby promoting the development of art in Latvia.
About Grand Poet
Grand Poet was created by the Latvia-based hotel chain Semarah Hotels. Today, the hotel group can be proud of the resort hotel Lielupe in Jūrmala and two hotels in Riga – the four-star historic hotel Metropole on Aspazijas Boulevard and the elegant five-star design hotel Grand Poet Hotel at Raiņa Boulevard 5/6. Each of them has its own unique story and values.
The newly created “Diplohemia” concept of Grand Poet combines design solutions characteristic of diplomacy and bohemia, developed by the internationally recognised and award-winning concept and design agency Stylt Trampoli from Sweden. The project, in turn, was developed by the Latvian architectural bureau Sarma un Norde, preserving the architectural uniqueness of the building. The hotel’s name embodies a duality often found in poets themselves – businesslike practicality and bohemian spirit.