"Latvieshi International" is an international audiovisual art exhibition and public event series taking place in Helsinki, Finland, from August 21 to 28, 2026.

Information:
– Venue: Toinen Kerros, Nokiantie 2-4, 00510 Helsinki
– Exhibition opening: August 21 at 18:00
– Exhibition dates: August 21–28
– Exhibition tour for children and youth (in Latvian language): August 23
– Discussion and musical performance evening: August 26
– Free admission
– Further information: Facebook-event, datuainavas.org/projekti

Latvieshi International examines "background noise" as an everpresent condition of contemporary life in the Baltic and Nordic region. Set within Helsinki's urban environment, the project presents new audiovisual works by six Latvian artists (Uģis Albiņš, Aina Bikše, Jurģis Peters, Mārtiņš Ratniks, Sandijs Ruļuks, Lidija Zaneripa) based across Latvia, Iceland, and Finland, exploring background noise across multiple layers, from machine-to-machine communication and algorithmic systems to industrial sound, the perceptual thresholds at which background becomes foreground, and the residues of cultural displacement and memory.

Underlying the exhibition is a question about the distinction itself, what separates signal from noise, and who decides. The works approach noise not only as interference to be filtered out, but also as a material, something that can be organised, listened to, and worked with. What is discarded as background in one context becomes structure, language, or meaning in another, and often becomes audible only once it disappears.

The exhibition is accompanied by a public program: opening and closing events, a moderated discussion on navigating unfamiliar cultural terrain, a live sound performance by Latvian and Finland-based musicians, and guided tours for children and young people, including a session for students of the Helsinki Latvian Diaspora School (Pikku Putni).

The event is organized by the association "Datu ainavu kartogrāfi" (Jurģis and Džesika Peteri).

Supported by: Culture Capital Foundation (VKKF), Culture Moves Europe, Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Finland, Rozentāls Seura, Äänen Lumo, Toinen Kerros, "Labietis" brewery.

Free admission to the exhibition and public program.

The event will be photographed and filmed.