Rothko Museum Announces Open Call for Sculpture Commission Commemorating 1991 Barricades

Daugavpils, Latvia – The Rothko Museum has announced an open call for a contemporary sculpture commission to commemorate the January 1991 Barricades, a pivotal moment in Latvia’s restoration of independence. The project seeks to honor the events of January 1991, when over 50,000 people from across Latvia gathered in Riga to defend key state institutions, with several hundred participants coming from Daugavpils and the surrounding region [Rothko Museum].

Sculpture Residency and Commission Details

Professional sculptors from Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia are invited to submit proposals for a sculpture that reflects on the significance of the Barricades. A month-long residency is scheduled for October 2026, during which the selected artist will either realize the sculpture in situ or complete it in their studio for subsequent installation [Baltic Times].

The chosen sculpture will be installed in University Square on Vienības Street in Daugavpils, a location historically significant for civic gatherings, including demonstrations during the Third Awakening. In February 1989, the Latvian national flag was raised at the Daugavpils Pedagogical Institute (now part of Daugavpils University), marking a turning point in public expression [Baltic Times].

Historical Context: The January 1991 Barricades

The January 1991 Barricades occurred during a period of escalating tensions as Latvia sought to restore its independence from the Soviet Union. Residents of Daugavpils gathered in University Square to express solidarity with those defending key institutions in Riga [Baltic Times]. This followed earlier demonstrations, including a mass meeting on August 22, 1991, supporting the constitutional law affirming Latvia’s statehood.

Support and Application Process

The Rothko Museum, supported by the Daugavpils City Council, will cover the artist’s fee, production and material costs, accommodation, workspace, installation coordination, and publicity. Artists are responsible for conceptual development, technical planning, realization, installation supervision, and copyright clearance [Baltic Times].

Applications must be submitted electronically through the museum’s website, www.rothkomuseum.com, by April 30, 2026. Full guidelines are available on the website.

About the Rothko Museum

The Rothko Museum, located in Daugavpils, is the only museum in Eastern Europe dedicated to the perform of Mark Rothko, a Daugavpils-born American artist known for his abstract expressionist and color field paintings [Rothko Museum]. The museum serves as a hub for contemporary art, culture, and education, hosting numerous exhibitions annually.