☃️ ZUZEUM CHRISTMAS WITH ARTIST OTO HOLGERS OZOLINS
This year’s holiday atmosphere at Zuzeum is created by artist Oto Holgers Ozoliņš. Inspired by the timeless joy of building snowmen, the snowman has become the central symbol of this year’s celebrations. On the ground floor, visitors can explore Oto’s snowman photography series that he has took behind the Polar circle, alongside a display of unique snowman images contributed by our visitors over the years.
Zuzeum also invites everyone to take part in the Snowman activity at Sculpture garden – we’ll provide everything (except snow) you need to build your own snowman.
Reflections on rolling snowmen beyond the Arctic Circle by Oto Holgers Ozoliņš:
Round puddles are scattered across the surface of the airfield. Where do snowmen go when they melt? And why would anyone photograph them? To capture an image of water… but what if it were gas — a cloud.
I lift into the sky and think about the next five days in Tromsø. I’ll live in a tent and roll snowmen. It has been snowing here for a few days already, so there’ll be plenty of material for snowman rolling. Since I’m above the Arctic Circle, there will be less than three hours of daylight each day, so I’ll have to work quickly — at least 25 snowmen a day. I’ll also need to catch a fish for supper, gather firewood for the campfire, and pitch my tent sheltered from the wind.
On the fire, a mug warms, in which today’s rolled snowman melts — transforming into a warming drink, with the remaining postcard as proof of its existence.
Oto Holgers Ozolins (1997) is an artist whose practice is rooted in process-based sculpture, exploring themes of personal growth and countering idleness. During the lockdown, he undertook a project carving one wooden spoon each day for 400 consecutive days, which led to his first solo exhibition. This disciplined, habit-building approach inspired further endeavors, including an attempt to build a boat, quit smoking, run a marathon and an Ironman triathlon. These projects have transformed his understanding of how form can be applied to traditional materials.
In 2024, Oto graduated from the Art Academy of Latvia with a master’s degree in sculpture. That same year, he received the ACADEMIA/Helen Scott Lidgett Studio Award 2024/2025. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the Art Academy of Latvia, where his work investigates decision-making and personal limitations, creating new connections between materiality and performativity.
🎁 During the festive season at the Zuzeum Shop, you’ll find art books, design items, and unique gifts — as well as the opportunity to send a festive postcard directly from the museum.
🛒 This year, we also invite you to choose thoughtful gifts from the Zuzeum online store Zandele.shop, where you can purchase works from the Zuzāns Collection — graphics, porcelain, glass, and other original pieces.
Visitors will also be able to enjoy the museum’s ongoing exhibitions “The Whole World a Bauhaus” and “Spaceship Earth” on view until December 28.