The series of works is based on the ancient solstice traditions of "driving of the birds" and "calling of the birds", which were characteristic of places inhabited by Livonians. In these rituals, large birds symbolised diseases and evil spirits, while small birds were attributed the meanings of light and awakening. With the help of photography and butoh movement, the artist interprets this ritual as a metaphor for inner cleansing – the desire to cast off the darkness and make space for a new beginning.

The title Dzen simultaneously reveals two meanings – the imperative form of the Latvian word dzen! ("drive off!") as a call to drive away negativity, and a reference to the practice of Zen Buddhism, where peace and clarity is sought through silence and repetition. Kalmuka's photographs were made in analogue with a large format camera.

Rūta Kalmuka (1974) began studying photography in 1992 at the Centre of Creative Learning Annas 2 under Andrejs Grants. She has dedicated almost 20 years to photojournalism, working with printed media including Santa, Dienas žurnāli, NRA and Ir magazine. Currently she works with analogue photography and large format equipment, as well as being interested in historical photographic processes and the making of photobooks. She has taken part in several group exhibitions in Latvia and abroad. Her works have been included in publications such as Foto Kvartāls, Fotofilmic JRTL and World Press Photo. In 2025, she was nominated for the prestigious European Photography Platform Futures.

Participant: Rūta Kalmuka (LV)
Curator: Iveta Gabaliņa (LV)

Image: Rūta Kalmuka, from the series 'Dzen', 2023–2026