MARTA VEINBERGA visual artist

A collection created by fashion artist Laima Jurča in collaboration with visual artist Marta Veinberga.

Collection COLLECTIVE BLANKET
7 + 1 looks
2020/2021

The collection Collective Blanket draws an imaginary connection between two systems - capitalism and the Soviet regime - which represent opposite attitudes towards material things (overproduction vs general shortages of goods). Desire is present in both, but in different forms.

In the visual language of the Collective Blanket, the symbols of the two epochs are conjoined: graphics created from capitalist prize stickers (i.e. Marta's prize-sticker paintings) with their advertisement-like colours, popular brand logos, and pop-culture heroes are combined with silhouettes stemming from certain dreams and realities of the Soviet era. These include references to holiday trips by motorcycle, work in the collective farms (kolkhozes), the widespread habit of mushroom picking, and even ambitions for space conquest. The collection also includes some direct references to Soviet-era wardrobes and their availability, including the ill-fitting cube-like garments and frequent shortages in children’s clothing.

The story of the collection is rooted in our artistic interest in commonplace taste and mass aesthetcs and the way these phenomenon manifest at different socioeconomic periods.

Authors' note: our interest in the Soviet period is artistic and stems from the intensity of childhood memories. We do not mean to show an appeal or nostalgia for this regime. 

Clothing material: digitally printed fabrics.
Accessories - Soviet helmets glued with prize stickers; shoe prototype.

Clothing design and constructions, idea & concept: Laima Jurča

Graphic material for the fabrics, idea & concept: Marta Veinberga

Head pieces: Marta Veinberga & Laima Jurča
Shoe prototype execution: Aldonis Timermanis & ALD Group
Model: Aleksandra, Vacatio Model Management
Make-up: Sintija Vilistere
Photography: Iveta Gabaliņa