"Ernest Vitins's sculpture in glass is rather an unusual phenomenon in Latvian art, visibly expanding the palette of materials traditionally used in sculpture and enriching the possibilities of visual plastic expression. Our sculptural experience is not vast in glass as a material for the tectonic structures in the design and plastic objects. Therefore, E. Vitins's path -from a simple memorial art object in the thesis of the Latvian Academy of Arts to a large-scale design object is a valuable proof of both technology development and proficiency.
Several artists have been into the use of similar technological solutions in the creation of glass objects in the world since the 1970s. However, the engagement of the young artist E. Vitins in the glass in a search for unlimited glass expansion possibilities as a modern sculptural material is considered a remarkable achievement. Using computer modelling, involving the possibilities of modern technologies to supplement the physical coloristic and refractive properties of glass with the possibilities provided by artificial light sources, E. Vitins's creativity proves constant growth as a seeking artist.
The youthful maximalism and the consequent courage to face diverse risks, as well as the distinctive feel for the material and it's potential- this is what urged me to offer a unique event in the Latvian sculpture landscape, in the gardens of Manor Rumene. A chance to tap into the unexplored..."
-Ojārs Spārītis, Professor,
Head of Doctoral Programme at the Art Academy of Latvia, Patron of Ernest Vitin solo exhibition at the Manor Rumene
"Ernest is a unique phenomenon, an artist - a hermit. He has mastered the stacked glass technique and has turned it into sculpture art. His works, without any discounts and conditions, can be accepted as sculptural works. These works are remarkably effective in the environment, as the material itself is visually highly vivid and powerful. Ernest perfectly knows how to use all these properties of the material. Besides, his stacked glass sculptures are exceptionally durable, no special maintenance is required.
Ernest, as a sculptor, is a lone wolf who does not belong to any herd and dedicates all his time to glass art in his workshop. This is what makes him unique and exotic. The advantage of Ernest is that he started practising this technique a long time ago. He works very consistently and, so to say, 'digs deep', and does not give up. It is for a reason. For the moment, it has seriously taken over all the visual plastic art. Ernest has also consulted me on this technique for my project, where glass plays an auxiliary function."
- Gļebs Panteļejevs, Head of the Department of Sculpture, Professor at the Art Academy of Latvia
Ernest is the only person in Latvia who professionally devotes his full time developing technical and aesthetical aspects of glass stacking technique. All glass art students study this technique during their first year at the academy, however only Ernest has taken it up as his main vocation. Besides, there are not many graduates who continue in their specialty, and even less who do it with any success. My best wishes to Ernest, may he never loose his enthusiasm!
- Inguna Audere, Professor at the Faculty of Visual Plastic Arts, Department of Glass Art at the Art Academy of Latvia. Founder of Glass Art Study Centre
Great visit to the Glass Labyrinth My husband, glass artist Kari Kuisma, and I, visual artist Raija Kuisma, had a fantastic opportunity to visit a Latvian contemporary glass artist Ernests Vītiņš in Riga Art Space. We knew about Ernests Vītiņš`s art before, but to see it actually alive and be inside it, be part of the installation, was a truly superb experience. It was almost surreal to stand inside the labyrinth and see the monumental glass sculptures reflect almost endlessly through the waste glass panels hanging from the ceiling. Since the panels were hanging freely and the sculptures were standing in a stable position, the experience was hilarious! One almost jumped to save the art piece, because of the image of it moving, when actually it was only the reflection on the glass panel that was floating in the air. Kari Kuisma has used the same technique of cutting glass with diamond edged glass cutter by hand for almost twenty years, so it was a huge point of interest for him to see a young Latvian artist´s development towards great big monumental size glass pieces. We also went to the two university buildings and could see the endless possibilities of using glass art in a creative way to make our mundane surroundings and environment both visually beautiful and serve the purpose of hiding and revealing. We thank the artist warmly for this great experience and wish that many more people would have a possibility to feel this fantastic Glass Labyrinth!"
- artists Kari Kuisma and Raija Kuisma, Pori, Finland
It's impossible to put all the emotions down to words. Thank you for giving such an amazing gift to the word - the artwork "In Nature". On their wedding day, our lucky couple Liga and Arnis spent a few wonderful moments "In Nature". They are keen travelers, both nature and city environment are dear to their hearts, wanderlust has taken them to some extraordinary places. The artwork "In Nature" brought back memories from their adventures in tropical forests and trips across wilderness of the ocean. Thank you for the fortune you have given them to capture and keep these feelings as vibrant memories from their wedding day!
- Kristine Grinvalde, wedding photographer http://www.kristinegrinvalde.com/
"Wedding In Nature"
Seeing the glass artwork "In Nature" in the University it felt like it's alive! It felt like something supernatural, like it had a thousand images inside it, because whatever angle you are looking at it, it looks different all the time, through shadows and light... so there's always something to see there!
-Kaspar Korjus, Managing Director of Estonia's E-Residency Programme
The monumental stacked glass artwork "In Nature" brings life to the University! It renders a natural feeling within the massive concrete building. It is big and beautiful with the lights on, and the changing colours greatly brighten up the quite monotone space.
-Karen Korjus, entrepreneur