Diāna Mikāne and Paula Veidenbauma

Diana Mikane is an artistic researcher and practitioner, working between Riga (LV) and Nida (LT). Interested in interdisciplinary approaches, Diana transitions between various art-related roles, ranging from working in art institutions and educational spaces to engaging in field and theoretical research, writing, and translation. Coming from a theoretical background (Philosophy, Art Theory, and Curation) Diana’s research inquiries gravitate around nuances of everyday aesthetics and reflection upon decolonial practices within the context of a modern post-Soviet space.

Paula Veidenbauma is an urbanist and a theatre maker based between Vienna, Austria, and Riga, Latvia. She is curious about optimistic materialities of early neoliberalism and the contemporary project condition within our everyday lives. With a focus on exploring fractures of governmentality through situated practice, Paula often dives into spatial paradoxes as alliances with material properties while working across varied media. With a background in Film and Theatre, and Urban Studies she continues working on the intersection of both disciplines.

In 2023, Paula and Diāna initiated the ‘Baltic Lines’ network, an artistic research project exploring themes such as the concept of the Baltic region, archiving as a political practice, and documenting megaprojects through the lens of the Rail Baltica train line implementation. Eleven participants from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden joined the project, forming a collective research environment. Within the network, everyone is invited to use the artistic medium of their choice.

The project began with Baltic Lines’ public program of walks and talks in January in Riga (LV). In June, all participants will be part of the artist residency at the VARES Architecture Residency in Valga (EE). In October, the Baltic Lines group exhibition will open at the InTheCloset Gallery in Vilnius (LT).