Nina Beier at RIBOCA 2020

Two neoclassical marble lions drenched in milk for local cats to drink is probably the shortest description of the art installation “Total Loss” by Danish artist Nina Beier that can be made. The piece was exhibited in this year’s Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art (RIBOCA) among other works by 60 different artists and featured pregnant women wearing camel hair coats occasionally refilling the sculptures. Total Loss carries a wide range of possible interpretations. Milk plays an important role in the piece and carries many symbolic connotations. It can be viewed as a symbol of sustenance, but it can also be understood as a metaphor for our economies, which are designed to milk every resource; factory farming and dairy production are among the highest sources of CO2 emissions. The installation was accompanied by a performance taking place on 22 August. Range Rovers parked outside the building offered shelter for a group of pregnant women.

On 13 September, the second Riga International Biennial of Contemporary Art (RIBOCA) was open for visitors for the last time and concluded 24 days of exhibitions, events, and performances. RIBOCA2 highlighted the topic of finding hope at the end of the world.

The people behind the Riboca have had to make quite a few changes regarding dates and the program. Among other things, they decided to create a film based on the exhibition and the visitors which will be released in early 2021. So, in case you missed the biennial check out this link for more information about the biennial and the upcoming film: https://www.rigabiennial.com/en/riboca-2

Total Loss was supported by the Danish Cultural Institute and the Danish Arts Foundation.

Sources: https://news.artnet.com/exhibi…/riga-biennial-2-2020-1903626 & https://www.rigabiennial.com/en/

Total Loss was supported by the Danish Cultural Institute and the Danish Arts Foundation.