An international contemporary art event analysing visual culture and artistic representation. The term 'photography' in the title of the biennial is used as an all-embracing concept encompassing a mixed range of artistic image-making practices that have continued to transform the lexicon of contemporary art in the 21st century. The biennial covers issues ranging from cultural theory to current socio-political processes in the Baltics and the wider European region. The programme also includes educational events.
The program of 2026 Biennial marks a decade-long journey. It thematically examines the phenomenon of self-existence / coexistence in various possible contexts, including the impact of technology on human nature, the relationship between man and nature, as well as the informative code of the contemporary image.
Key events of the Riga Photography Biennial 2026:
- 17.04.-14.06. Riga Contemporary Art Space (Kungu iela 3) – Central event of the Riga Photography Biennial, exhibition "Zoom In: Ecology".
- 17.04.-07.06. Riga Contemporary Art Space (Kungu iela 3) – Priyageetha Dia's solo exhibition "everything you need to see is already in front of you".
- 18.04.-20.05. Gallery ASNI (Krišjāņa Valdemāra iela 17A) – Group exhibition "A Vocabulary for Ghosts".
- 19.04.-31.05. Gallery ALMA (Tērbatas iela 64) – Māra Brašmane's solo exhibition "My Friends".
- 24.04.-03.07. ISSP Gallery (Berga Bazārs, Marijas iela 13 k.3) – Rūta Kalmuka's solo exhibition "Dzen".
- 28.04.-29.05. Gallery Istaba (Krišjāņa Barona iela 31a) – Group exhibition "Colour as Messafe. Colour Photograohy Before the Digiral and AI Era".
- 30.04. 18:00 Riga Contemporary Art Space (Kungu iela 3) – Lecture by Adam Mazur "Coexistence: Natural/Artificial. Polish Photography After AI".
- 10.05.-24.05. Riga public transport stops – Outdoor Project "Indoors-Outdoors. Rigans in Salon Photography. Late 19th Century-1940".
- 21.05. Riga Contemporary Art Space (Kungu iela 3) – Symposium "Togetherness".
- 10.06.-27.09. Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre (Kaļķu iela 16) – Ieva Epnere's solo exhibition "Tuesday".