DZEN

The project “Dzen” is based on the study of ritual – its symbolic as well as practical meaning, which serves as a strengthening of the connections with the traditions of our ancestors, the cycles of nature and the mythological way of thinking. Ritual helps as a protective as well as healing mechanism, arranging oneself and the microcosm around. Many cultures have rituals that are similar in the idea and nature. For example, where bad, dark thoughts or forces are transformed into some animal or other creature which is then sacrificed - burned or driven away, thus hoping to get rid of the dark forces and protect themselves from evil and diseases. Today we have to think a lot about the healing power of such a ritual, as well as protecting and maintaining not only oneself and our loved ones, but also about protecting our land, identity and culture. It is important not to forget the knowledge of our ancestors, but bring it to life and apply to the nowadays cycle of everyday life and create a new narrative and perspective on mythology. In my work I visually and ritually revive an ancient Latvian spring solstice ritual, which was called "Chasing Birds" and “Calling Birds”. It was common only in a small part of the territory of Latvia, which was inhabited by a small ethnic group - Livs. According to this tradition several big birds symbolized evil spirits, diseases, misfortunes and performing various rituals, singing, making noise, people chased them into the forest. At the same time small birds were called to the yard as they symbolized returning of the light. The process of working on this project was really like healing for myself as it takes much time to go to the forest with large format camera, find abandoned places, think about the creatures and forces I want to chase away not only from my land, but from myself as well. The developing of images were also transformative and time consuming process as I shoot on regular photo paper and photo fabric and all these are direct positive reversal prints. The title “Dzen” in Latvian has different meanings. It means to chase away, break through and at the same time the state of mind – Zen or Zen Buddhism – the pursuit of enlightenment.