Founded in 2018, the VV Foundation unites art enthusiasts Vita Liberte, Vilnis Štrams and Jānis Borgs with a mission to promote cross-disciplinary creativity in contemporary art and research.

Engaging with contemporary creative practices in all their compelling diversity, the Foundation pays particular attention to environmentally mindful creativity that seeks to explore and promote ecological solidarity in a post-anthropocene perspective.

The Foundation advances enduring creative partnerships and collaboration throughout the contemporary cultural scene in the Baltic region and between leading international artists, curators, researchers, theorists, gallerists and creative industry professionals. By running the PAiR residency and organising exhibitions, community art projects, educational events and vernacular creativity workshops, the VV Foundation aims to become a leading patron of contemporary culture in the region.

Founders

Lawyer, patron of the arts, art collector. While studying international law at New York University Law School, Vita realised that art could be more than a pleasurable pastime. Since returning to Latvia, she has supported the local film industry, the Latvian National Symphony Orchestra, the Balsis Youth Choir, and the Kim? Contemporary Art Centre, Riga. Since 2022, Vita has been member of Tate’s Central and Eastern Europe Plus Acquisitions Committee.

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Architect and entrepreneur, Vilnis graduated from Riga School of Applied Arts and Tallinn Art Academy, as well as studied at Helsinki Technical University. He worked in Leonhard Lapin’s architectural studio in Tallinn and at the Helin & Siitonen architectural firm in Helsinki. Owner and chief architect of Postform Projekts architectural firm in Riga and Liepāja, he has also worked as Director of the Development Department of Riga City Council. Vilnis currently lives and works between Riga and London.

Graphic and interior designer, art historian and critic, curator, art journalist. A passionate adherent of the avant-garde and modernism in the 1970s, Jānis Borgs is the author of numerous art publications. He has participated in forming the national arts curricula for the Latvian Ministry of Culture. Throughout his career, Jānis has been the Director of the Janis Rozentāls Art School, Artistic Editor of the Art (Māksla) magazine, and Director of the Soros Centre for Contemporary Art – Riga.

Team

Sintija Gādiga is a certified and recognised Latvian painter representing graphic painting. In her artwork you will often see architecture encapsulated in an absolutely incredible and gloriously brilliant way, expressed in straight lines, bright colours and deep tones. Sintija has a BA and MA in Painting.

Helmuts Caune is a philosopher, lecturer, and writer with vast experience in writing, editing, and culture project management. He holds undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in philosophy from the University in Latvia and studied philosophy at the University of Aberdeen (UK). His academic, professional, and personal interests include (but are not limited to) social and political philosophy, philosophy of language, aesthetics, history of art and contemporary art, literature, geography, and ecology.

Egor Buimister is an artist and researcher. Working primarily in painting and drawing techniques, his art depicts encounters, imprints, and shadows of the things that suggest the inherent strangeness of the world. Egor’s academic interests lie at the intersection of religion and contemporary art. He studied Fine Art at the UAL and Goldsmiths, and Arts Management at Kings College London.