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Andris Grinbergs

1946, Latvia

Andris Grinbergs (1946, Latvia) is a legend – an artist, an educator, a hippie and a model. He is often called an icon of his time, who revolted against the Soviet way of life and thinking. The most popular works of Grinbergs include the performance staged in 1972 “Marriage of Jesus Christ”, as well as “Red Desert” (1973) and “Two” (1974), although, in general, he organised more than 30 happenings. His artistic expressions were documented by a series of Latvian photographers – Brašmane, Atis Ieviņš, Jānis Kreicbergs, Andrejs Grants and others. The short film “Self-portrait” (1972) is especially notable. This film barely escaped KGB confiscation and was hidden until early 90s, when it was restored and demonstrated at Anthology Film Archives in New York. Jonas Mekas called it one of the five most sexually transgressive films of all times that have been ever filmed.