The contemporary art space Mala in Cēsis, Latvia, is currently hosting 1.5 ha, a group exhibition featuring works by graduates of the ISSP School. The exhibition serves as a platform for emerging photographers and visual artists to present projects developed during their studies at the Riga-based institution, which has become a significant hub for contemporary photography education in the Baltic region.
The title of the exhibition, 1.5 ha, references the specific scale of the conceptual and physical space the artists have occupied during their creative development. According to the ISSP School, the institution focuses on providing a comprehensive education in contemporary photography, emphasizing the development of an individual artistic voice and critical thinking. The Cēsis exhibition offers a rare opportunity for the public to engage with the culmination of these multi-year study programs, which typically include intensive workshops, theoretical seminars, and mentorship under established professionals.
The Evolution of the ISSP School
Founded in 2006, the ISSP (International Summer School of Photography) initially gained international recognition for its annual summer workshops held in Kuldīga and later in Cēsis. Over the past decade, the organization expanded its remit to include the two-year Education Program, which is the primary source of the work featured in the current Mala exhibition. The curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between amateur interest and professional practice, moving beyond technical camera skills to explore the sociological and philosophical dimensions of image-making.
The exhibition at Mala highlights a diverse range of approaches, from documentary photography and archival research to experimental installation and lens-based media. By hosting these works in Cēsis—a town with a burgeoning reputation as a cultural destination in Latvia—the ISSP School continues to decentralize the Latvian art scene, moving critical discourse outside of the capital, Riga. The partnership with Mala, a venue known for its focus on experimental and contemporary local art, aligns with the school’s mission to foster community-based artistic dialogue.
What the 1.5 ha Exhibition Represents
For visitors, 1.5 ha functions as a survey of current trends among young Latvian photographers. Many of the featured artists address themes of personal identity, the transformation of the post-Soviet landscape, and the intersection of traditional photography with digital media. The exhibition layout is curated to encourage a dialogue between individual projects, allowing viewers to trace common threads across different cohorts of graduates.
The ISSP School’s pedagogical model relies heavily on the “critique” method, where students present works-in-progress to peers and international guest tutors. This iterative process is evident in the final works displayed at Mala, which often show a high level of conceptual rigor. According to the Mala art space, the exhibition is open to the public during regular operating hours, providing a space for both local residents and visitors to Cēsis to engage with the works of the next generation of visual storytellers.
Connecting with the Latvian Photography Scene
The significance of this exhibition extends beyond the works on the walls; it marks a milestone for the ISSP School in maintaining a sustainable pipeline of talent within the Latvian creative economy. By providing a professional exhibition platform for its alumni, the school helps its graduates transition from academic life into the professional art market. This model has been instrumental in the professionalization of photography in Latvia, an industry that has seen rapid growth in visibility at international festivals and biennials.
Those interested in visiting the exhibition are encouraged to check the official social media channels of both ISSP School and Mala for the most recent updates regarding opening hours and potential artist talks. As the art scene in Cēsis continues to develop, exhibitions like 1.5 ha provide a necessary link between educational institutions and the broader public, ensuring that contemporary photography remains a vital, accessible part of the regional cultural conversation. Please feel free to share your thoughts on the exhibition in the comments below.