Forgetful and Drowsy: The Affective Atmospheres in Contemporary Latvian Photography

Jana Kukaine, Jānis Taurens

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In the article, we advance the notion of an affective atmosphere for analyzing the works of art by two contemporary Latvian photographers—Aija Bley (b. 1967) and Arnis Balčus (b. 1978). The spatial relations of bodies and environments and the photographed subjects’ facial expressions and postures negotiate a sense of postsocialist affectivity that we describe as forgetful and drowsy. In the selected images, the affective atmospheres enact the ambiguities of the Soviet legacies, along with the challenges of neoliberal rationality affecting today’s Latvian society.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)57–74
Number of pages18
JournalPolish Journal of Aesthetics
Volume68
Issue number1/2023
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Keywords*

  • Affective Atmosphere
  • Postsocialism
  • Affective AtmLatvian Contemporary Photography
  • Forgetting
  • Sleeping

Field of Science*

  • 6.3 Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
  • 6.4 Arts (arts, history of arts, performing arts, music)

Publication Type*

  • 1.4. Reviewed scientific article published in Latvia or abroad in a scientific journal with an editorial board (including university editions)

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