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On September 25 at 6:00 p.m., artist Kaspars Podnieks’ latest exhibition “Bicorn”, which marks the artist’s return to the public after a hiatus of more than five years.

“Something’s been off with those horned ones lately… It’s not working out for the unicorns, nothing’s working out. We’ll see… I have Bicorn,” says Kaspars Podnieks, introducing the exhibition.

That’s where he comes from, and that’s where he is. In Drusti. This place permeates all of his works. And the people who are part of them. There, at the center of the universe, Kaspars Podnieks has long been a fixture. Among the little creatures, the “Bicorn.” With the solo exhibition “Bicorn”, Liepāja will briefly become a little piece of Drusti. There will be both new works and pieces from the exhibitions “Coming Home” and “Connected Vessels” presented in a new context.

Podnieks is also creating the set design for the chamber music production “Reihs Passage,” which will take place in the concert hall on September 26 as part of the “Liepāja Art Forum 2026,” alongside the opening of the “Bicorn” exhibition. The newly created works for the exhibition will become part of the concert, and vice versa. Like connected vessels—interacting, transmitting pressure, generating great force where needed, and aligning on the same level.

Kaspars Podnieks (b. 1980) is a Latvian contemporary artist who primarily and conceptually works with photography and video, creates installations, and produces environmental art objects. The artist’s creative work is most often inspired by his native region of Drusti, which serves as a constant point of reference for exploring belonging, local identity, and the relationship between people and their environment.

Podnieks’ works are characterized by a groundedness and a poetic approach, capturing elements of rural life and imagery from unconventional angles. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Art Academy of Latvia. In 2013, together with Krišs Salmanis, he represented Latvia at the 55th Venice Biennale with the project “North by Northeast.” He has held solo exhibitions and participated in group exhibitions in Latvia and internationally (at the kim? Contemporary Art Center, the Māksla XO Gallery, art festivals, etc.). In 2020, his most recent solo exhibition, “Coming Home,” took place at the AV17 Gallery in Vilnius. The artist’s works are included in the collection of the Latvian Museum of Contemporary Art and other collections both in Latvia and abroad.

Visitors can view the exhibition free of charge until December 6 during the concert hall’s opening hours: Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The festival continues on September 26 with a new production combining visual dance, movement, and chamber music in honor of Steve Reich’s 90th birthday, while on September 27, the concert hall will host a trio of outstanding musicians from Canada—Sarah Neufeld, Richard Reed Parry, and Rebecca Foon. The program will also be complemented by events at cultural venues in the surrounding area. More information about the festival program is available on the website lmf.lielaisdzintars.lv.

“Liepāja Art Forum 2026” is organized by SIA “Lielais Dzintars.” The event is supported by: the Liepāja City Council, the State Culture Capital Foundation, Artes Liberales, Erica Synths, the Uniting Foundation, Valmiermuiža Brewery, Gardu muti, and RTU Liepāja Academy. Partners: Liepāja Puppet Theater, Veranda, Valhalla Wine & Coffee, and Miezis & Ko.