"We are robots," sang electronic music pioneers Kraftwerk - if "sang" is the right word. Right now the latest manifestation of northern European robotic music is taking place in Rīga with Danish-based artist Jacob Remin. On Thursday, February 7 at 18.00 he launched a 48-hour robot music performance marathon, and on Saturday, February 9 at 14.00 he will host a workshop called “Sonic Spaces of Care” at the RIXC Gallery in the center of the Latvian capital.
"Jacob Remin's practice is a critical meditation over technology and the power structures it creates," says the event blurb. "In a world based on technology, Jacob Remin questions the norm and the natural, while creating spaces for conversation. His works are manifested in the meeting between light, space, composition and interaction."
Hopefully they also have lots of beeping and flashing lights.
Jelgava Ice Sculpture Festival
Every year, the city of Jelgava hosts a huge ice sculpture festival, and this year is no exception. It takes place in three different locations around the city and opens at 18:00 on February 8, runnning until 22:00 on February 10. Admission costs from 2 to 6 euros.
The festival will feature works by 33 professional ice sculptors from seven different countries: Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, the USA and Canada.
There's plenty of snow across Latvia at the moment, so make the most of the conditions by participating in the cross-country ski festival at Kocēni on February 9 from 11:00. The "Winter loop" event is open to all with different distances to suit every age and ability level. Children can tackle a 500 meter track while adults can attack a 1.25 kilometer track to see how far and how fast they can go. Free for kids, just 2 euros for adults.
