In ‘Matter to Matter’, Arthur Analts of Variant Studio was inspired by his native city of Riga and its surrounding forests – which cover more than half of the country. Due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea, Riga has its own unique climate, with constant humidity that often leads to condensation. Analts recreated this using a large green-glazed surface as an interactive platform for the transition of matter to matter: gas to liquid.

Each visitor was encouraged to leave a message in the glass – an expression of emotion that will disappear within minutes. It was a statement about culture and transience, and the ways in which nature can cover over human traces. “It will show the existence of nature in our daily lives and hopefully make us re-evaluate the importance of it,” said Analts. The installation was a serene, meditative space; a scent of Latvian nature, redolent of the country’s sprawling forests, and a large bench made from the typical trees that grow in Latvia added sensory elements to the continuous glass wall. At the same time, the apparent simplicity of the design concealed a sophisticated technological solution, reflecting a new, entrepreneurial generation of Latvians who combine respect for nature with a curiosity for technology. “With the rapid development of modern technologies in Riga,” said Analts, “it is important to be aware of our impact on the natural environment, which is essential to Latvian culture.”