The Riga View File

The Riga View File is an interactive environmental art installation an exhibition that invites visitors to explore the history of Riga and its surrounding neighborhoods.

At the centre of the exhibition is a file cabinet with six drawers, each dedicated to one of Riga’s districts: the City Centre, the Kurzeme District, the Latgale Suburb, the Vidzeme Suburb, the Zemgale Suburb, and the Northern District. Together, the drawers contain 84 illustrated cards featuring photographs, maps, and drawings that reveal a rich mosaic of the history of 58 Riga neighbourhoods. The cards present stories of the city’s streets and buildings, its port and industrial heritage, social events, and the everyday lives of its residents. By opening a drawer and selecting a card, visitors become researchers, uncovering the unique stories of each neighborhood.

A stylized historical television is placed atop the file cabinet, screening three video stories about Riga. Through excerpts from Latvian films and archival newsreels spanning different eras, visitors are introduced to the city’s parks, Art Days, and the everyday life and celebrations of Riga’s residents.