1. Komiksu Konkurss Exhibition

    Exhibition, Paula Stradiņa Medicīnas vēstures muzejā, Riga, 20.11.2014-14.05.2015

    The best 10 works from the comics competition with the theme "Body Factory" are part of the exhibition „Anatoms. Cilvēka ķermeņa fabrika” at Paula Stradiņa Medicīnas vēstures museum (20.11.2014 - 14.05.2015).

    On the 13.11.2014 was the award cermony. The jury consisting of Frank Arnauts, Rūta Briede, Pauls Bankovskis, Andrejs Ērglis, Solvita Krese and David Schilter selected the comics from the 79 submissions and awarded prizes worth over 1100 EUR to the artists of the best three comics. The selected contributors are:

    Adriāna Roze, Adriāns Kulpe, Anita Rupeika, Elīna Brasliņa, Laura Ķeniņš, Ernests Kļaviņš, Līva Piterāne, Lote Vilma Vītiņa, Māra Drozdova un Zane Zlemeša.

    The winners are: 

    1. place - Zane Zlemeša

    2. place - Adriāns Kulpe

    3. place - Ernests & Andrejs Kļaviņš

    The 3 winning comics can be read here!

  2. Mathematics party

    š! #19 opening party, Aristīds, Aristida Briāna iela 7, Riga, 11.12.2014

    A full book with comics about mathematics?That's reason to celebrate, because math is fun!

    kuš! artists Ingrīda Pičukāne, Lote Vilma Vītina, Mārtiņš Zutis, Zane Zlemeša and Laura Ķeniņš  performed their mathematical drawing skills on the blackboard to the music of DJ Calculus and Algebra.

  3. Life Is Live

    Exhibition, Goethe-Institut Riga, Torna iela 1, Riga, 13.11-11.12.2014

    German-language graphic novels and comics from the Baltic states will be presented in this exhibition organized by the Goethe-Institut Riga. The German comics scene is flourishing and also in the Baltic scene something is starting to develop. More info here.

    In the framework of the exhibition was also a comics reading and portfolio presentation at KKC by Thomas Wellmann from Munster and by Martins Zutis from Riga, followed by live animation to the music of DJ Kaspars Groševs. 

    Illustration by Thomas Wellmann
  4. Comix4=

    Comics for Equality, ongoing project, throughout Europe, 2013-2014

    kuš! is one of the project partners of the ComiX4= Project.

    The project ComiX4= is led by Africa e Mediterraneo (Italy), in partnership with NGO Mondo (Estonia), Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation (Bulgaria), ARCA (Romania) and Grafiskie stasti (Latvia). The project aims to foster intercultural dialogue to combat racism, xenophobia and discrimination in Europe, with a particular focus on Italy, Bulgaria, Estonia, Romania and Latvia. In order to achieve this aim, the project seeks to involve migrants and second-generation immigrants – often the subjects of discrimination – in the creation of comics to be used to combat racism and xenophobia.

    The main activities are the ComiX4= Comics for Equality Award - a competition for the best unpublished comic strip authors with migrant backgrounds, an interactive website (www.comix4equality.eu), a “Comics Handbook” for creative workshops in informal education, an itinerant exhibition and comics workshops across Europe.

    Illustration by Amanda Baeza

    With financial support from the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union

    With financial support from Society Integration Foundation (SIF). www.sif.lv

    - - -

    Projekts "Komiksi vienlīdzībai", īstenots Eiropas valstīs, ar fokusu Latvijā, Igaunijā, Itālijā, Rumānija un Bulgārijā, 2013-2014

    kuš! ir viens no partneriem starptautiskā projektā ComiX4= Komiksi vienlīdzībai.

    Projekta vadošais partneris ir  organizācija „Africa e Mediterraneo” (Itālija), sadarbībā ar  „NGO Mondo” (Igaunija), „The Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation” (Bulgārija), „ARCA” (Rumānija) un biedrību “Grafiskie stāsti” (Latvija).

    Projekta „ComiX4= Komiksi vienlīdzībai” mērķis ir veicināt starpkultūru dialogu, lai mazinātu rasismu, ksenofobiju un diskrimināciju Eiropā, īpaši pievēršot uzmanību Itālijai, Bulgārijai, Igaunijai, Rumānijai un Latvijai. Lai sasniegtu mērķi, projektā tiek iesaistīti pirmās un otrās paaudzes migranti radošu instrumentu – komiksu – veidošanā, lai vērstos pret rasismu un ksenofobiju.

    Galvenās projekta aktivitātes ir komiksu konkurss „ComiX4= Komiksi vienlīdzībai”,  kura rezultātā apbalvoti labāko nepublicēto komiksu autori ar migrācijas izcelsmi; interaktīva tīmekļa vietne www.comix4equality.eu; komiksu katalogs, kurā apkopoti labākie konkursā iesniegtie komiksi; „Komiksu rokasgrāmata” izmantošanai radošajās darbnīcās neformālās izglītības vidē, ceļojoša komiksu izstāde un komiksu radošās darbnīcas vairākās Eiropas valstīs.

    Ilustrācija: Amanda Baeza

    Projekts tiek īstenots ar Eiropas Savienības programmas „Pamattiesības un pilsonība” – Novembris 2012 – finansiālu atbalstu.

    Projektstiek īstenots ar Sabiedrības integrācijas fonda (SIF) finansiālu atbalstu. Par projekta aktivitātēm atbild projekta partneri. www.sif.lv

  5. Grafixx

    Grafixx, Antwerp, Belgium, 28.-30.2014

    kuš! had a stand at Grafixx. An excellent festival with great exhibitions, artist talks, comics concerts workshop and a beautiful zine fair. creators. kuš! was represented by it's editors Sanita Muižniece and David Schilter.

    Next to presenting our own books, we displayed the Comix4Equality exhibition at the student cafeteria of the Antwerp University during the whole month of December.

    With financial support from the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union

    With financial support from Society Integration Foundation (SIF). www.sif.lv

  6. Storytelling Workshop

    Comics Workshop, Goethe-Institut Riga, Torna iela 1, Riga, 15.-16.11.2014

    Together with Goethe-Institut Riga we organized a comics workshop by German artist Thomas Wellmann. It was in the framework of the exhibition 'Life is Live / Deutschsprachige Graphic Novels und Comics aus den baltischen Staaten'. The Goethe Institut Riga awarded 6 travel grants for participants from Estonia and Lithuania to take part as well.

    Illustration by Thomas Wellmann

  7. WHOA!

    Drawings, light and music, Staro Riga, Aristīds, Aristida Briāna iela 7, 15.11.2014, 21.00

    An overhead projector meets 4 artists and a DJ. Special guest drawers from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Germany - Zane ZlemešaAkvilė MisevičiūtėLiisa Kruusmägi and Thomas Wellmann! Sounds like fun? It will be!

    Illustration: Zane Zlemeša

  8. Still Moving

    Comics art exhibition, animation screenings and artists talks, KKC, Riga, 21.10-02.11.2014

    'Still Moving' is a project to explore the interactions and differences between comics and animations by featuring works from artists who are working in both media.

    Artists: Anete Melece (Latvia), Ernests Kļaviņš (Latvia), Mārtiņš Zutis (Latvia), Oskars Pavlovskis (Latvia), Chintis Lundgren (Estonia), Stella Salumaa (Estonia), Nicolas Mahler (Austria), KIIN (Germany), Janek Koza (Poland), Renata Gasiorowska (Poland) and Lilli Carré (USA).

    In cooperation with International Film Festival 2Annas.

  9. Kuš! Workshop Gulbenē

    Comics Workshop, Gulbene Art School, Gulbene, 25.10.2014

    Comics workshop with Mārtiņš Zutis and Klāvs Upaciers at Gulbenes Mākslas Skola, O.Kalpaka 70A. Participants from 6-18 years in two groups. Free entry.

    Illustration: Mārtiņš Zutis

  10. Kuš! Workshop LMS

    Comics Workshop, Latvian Artists' Association, 18.10.2014, Riga

    Comics workshop led by Mārtiņš Zutis for participants from 12-15 years. Free entry. The workshop was held in the framework of the exhibition Kelias/Ceļš/Kett

    Illustration: Mārtiņš Zutis

  11. Finland. Cool.

    Books on Finland, exhibition, Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt, 08.-12.10.2014

    'Books on Finland' is an international exhibition on the occasion of Finland being Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2014. Among the 958 books presented by 245 publishing houses from 35 countries there are the five mini kuš! published by kuš!. See the full exhibition catalog here and get the mini kuš! by Roope Eronen, Heta Bilaletdin, Tiina Lehikoinen, Emmi Valve and Mari Ahokoivu here.

    Photo stolen from Reprodukt's fair report.

  12. Comix4= Workshop II

    Rīgas jauniešu centrā „Kaņieris”, Kaņiera ielā 15, 05.10.2014
    5. oktobrī norisinājās otrā projekta "Komiksi vienlīdzībai" radošā komiksu darbnīca, kurā piedalījās 16 jaunieši vecumā no 15-25 gadiem. Darbnīcu vadīja komiksu konkursa dalībniece Amanda Baeza no Portugāles/Čīles un neformālās izglītības trenere Sintija Lase.
    Šī darbnīca ir daļa no projekta „ComiX4= Komiksi vienlīdzībai”, kura mērķis ir veicināt starpkultūru dialogu, izmantojot mākslas instrumentus – komiksus, ko veidojuši komiksu autori ar migrācijas izcelsmi.

    Projektu „ComiX4= Komiksi vienlīdzībai” finansiāli atbalsta Eiropas Savienības Pamattiesību un pilsonības programma
    un Sabiedrības integrācijas fonds (SIF). Par radošās darbnīcas saturu atbild biedrība „Grafiskie stāsti” un tās partneri. www.sif.lv
    - - -
    Second Comix4= workshop wih Amanda Baeza, comic artist from Portugal and Sintija Lase, informal education trainer. 

    With financial support by the European Union – Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme – November 2012.

    The workshop is funded by the Society Integration Foundation financial support. Responsibility for the contents lies with Grafiskie stasti and its partners.

  13. Comix4= Exhibition and Workshop I

    Izstāde un radošā darbnīca, Rīgas jauniešu centrā „Kaņieris”, 10.07-10.10.2014

    Četrpadsmit vizuāli stāsti aicina ielūkoties Eiropā, kas aug, mainās, un ir nepārtrauktā kustībā. Izstādes darbu autori stāsta par migrāciju – fenomenu, kuru paši ir piedzīvojuši. Šobrīd viņi dzīvo Eiropā, taču viņi vai viņu ģimene nākusi no citas valsts Eiropā vai ārpus tās. Viņu komiksi atklāj gan dažnedažādos migrācijas veidus, gan savu un vecāku personīgo pieredzi.
    Izstādes darbi ir daļa no konkursa par pirmo Eiropas balvu komiksu autoriem ar migrācijas izcelsmi.

    Līdztekus izstādei 13.jūlijā notika arī komiksu radošā darbnīca 15-25 gadus vecie jauniešiem, kuru vadīja viena no "Komiksi vienlīdzībai" konkursa dalībniecēm - Amanda Baeza sadarbībā ar neformālās izglītības treneri Sintiju Lasi. Darbnīcā piedalījās 10 jaunieši; Viņu veidotie komiksi tika iekļauti izstādē.

    Izstāde un radošā darbnīca ir daļa no projekta „ComiX4= Komiksi vienlīdzībai”, kura mērķis ir veicināt starpkultūru dialogu izmantojot mākslas instrumentus – komiksus, ko veidojuši komiksu autori ar migrācijas izcelsmi.

    Projektu „ComiX4= Komiksi vienlīdzībai” finansiāli atbalsta Eiropas Savienības Pamattiesību un pilsonības programma un Sabiedrības integrācijas fonds (SIF). Par projekta saturu atbild "Grafiskie stāsti" un tās partneri. www.sif.lv

    - - -

    The Comix4= exhibition presents an intense picture of a Europe that is changing, growing and, above all, moving. The artists portray a phenomenon they have all experienced first-hand: that of migration. The stories collected as part of the ‘Comics for Equality Award for the Best Unpublished Comics by Authors with Migrant Backgrounds’ present the multitude of ways in which migration can take shape and speak of those aspects the authors or their parents have lost, found or are in the process of building. The purpose of the ComiX4= Comics for Equality project is to foster intercultural dialogue to combat racism in Europe and promote a cultural movement against xenophobia among youth, involving migrants and second generations.

    On July13th we held a workshop for 15-25 year-olds led by comic artist Amanda Baeza and informal education trainer Sintija Lase.

    More info on our blog.

    With financial support by the European Union – Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme – November 2012.

    The exhibtion and workshop is funded by the Society Integration Foundation financial support. Responsibility for the contents of the exhibtion lies with Grafiskie stasti and its partners. www.sif.lv

  14. Comics Poetry

    Exhibition, Latvian National Library, 4. stāvā, Riga, 10.-30.09.2014

    Poetry and comics merge to a new visual art form, let's just call it comics poetry! How this looks you can see at this exhibition of š! #18 'Poetry' with exhibited works from Anete Melece / Inga Gaile , Anna Vaivare / Semyon Khanin, Dāvis Ozols / Ingmāra Balode, Ingrīda Pičukāne / Sergej Timofejev, Klāvs Loris / Anna Foma, Lote Vilma Vītiņa / Kārlis Vērdiņš, Mārtiņš Zutis / Arvis Viguls, Rūta Briede / Jānis Rokpelnis from Latvia, and Alexander Rothman (USA), Nicolas Zouliamis (Belgium), Theo Ellsworth (USA) and Tiina Lehikoinen (Finland).

    A copy of the book will also be exhibited and include work by the aforementioned authors as well as  Andrej Štular (Slovenia), Dunja Janković (Croatia), Evie Cahir (Australia), Julie Doucet (Canada), König Lü.Q. (Switzerland), L.L. de Mars (France), Mari Ahokoivu (Finland), Patrick Kyle (Canada), Sam Alden (USA) and Tommi Musturi (Finland).

    The opening took place on Wednesday the 10th of September at 17.30 with readings by the Latvian poets. 

    Project Partner: Poetry Days, Latvian National Library

    Support: Latvian State Culture Capital Foundation

  15. Zinemaking with Inés Estrada

    Zine Workshop, 20. September 14.00-17.00, The Mill, Riga

    Inés Estrada, comic artist, illustrator, zine maker, zine fair organiser, comics blogger and mini kuš! author from Mexico City held a zine workshop in Riga.

    Zines are self-made publications elaborated in limited editions. In this workshop Inés gave an introduction to the world of zines and all the participant got to creat their very own zine. After Inés talked about paper-based zines, digital entrepreneur Maris Dagis held a  presentation about the distribution of digital content. He  told why and how to publish on the net with lots of examples and tips from the authors at Sellfy.com

  16. Helsinki Comics Festival

    Sarjakuvafestivalit, Helsinki, Finland, 05.-07.09.2014

    kuš! had a stand at the Helsinki Comics Festival again. An excellent festival to meet the amazing Finnish comics scene and lots of international creators. kuš! was represented by it's editors Sanita Muižniece and David Schilter and also take along the artists Dāvis Ozols and Laura Ķeņina, who took part with their own self-published books in the small press section.

    Next to presenting our own books, we displayed the exhibition Comix4Equality at the public library in Arabia from the 4th until the 30th of September. Official preview here.

    More about the Latvian presence at this festival on our blog!

    Illustration: Sabīne Moore

    With financial support from the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union

    With financial support from Society Integration Foundation (SIF). www.sif.lv

  17. Sunday Art School

    Comics Workshop, Ziemelblazma, Riga, 24.08.2014

    Comics workshop together with Ingrīda Pičukāne for kids and adults. Official event of the Riga Culture Capital 2014!

    Illustration: Ingrīda Pičukāne

  18. When Nature Meets Music

    Murals, open air exhibition, Satta Festival, Pape, Latvia, 14.-17.08.14

    Kuš! artists Dāvis Ozols, Zane Zlemeša and Mārtiņš Zutis painted murals during the Satta festival in Pape on the theme "When Nature Meets Music".

  19. Brussels Sprouts

    Competition exhibition, Arctic paper office, Riga 06.01 - 28.13.2014 / "Jelgavas tipogrāfijas" Kurzemes dizaina centrā Liepājā 05.06-28.07.2014 / Gulbene Public Art School 07.10-30.10.2014

    In 2013 kuš! together with the Royal Embassy of Belgium organised a Latvian comics competition with the theme "Brussels sprouts". The best 10 works by Elīna Brasliņa, Rūta Briede, Raids Kalniņš, Līva Kandevica, Maija Līduma, Anna Meldrāja, Dāvis Ozols, Reinis Pētersons, Jana Ribkina and Lote Vilma Vītiņa can be seen at the exhibition. It first was dispalayed in the Latvian Art Academy in riga and then travelled to different venues around Latvia.

  20. Propaganda

    Comics reading by Joana Estrela, Riga, 17.07.2014

    The Portuguese artist Joana Estrela read excerpts from her debut graphic novel 'Propaganda'. It's an autobiographic story about her time in Vilnius working as EVS volunteer at the Lithuanian Gay League.

    Event partner: Mozaika

  21. BD Beja

    Festival de BD Beja, Beja, Lisbon, 31.05-01.06.2014

    kuš! had a stand at the Festival de BD Beja, an excellent place to meet with Portuguese readers and creators. kuš! was represented by it's editors Sanita Muižniece and David Schilter.

    Next to presenting our own books, we also showed the exhibition Comix4Equality at the Instituto Politécnico de Beja which was on display from the 31st of May until the 15th of June.

    With financial support from the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union

    With financial support from Society Integration Foundation (SIF). www.sif.lv

  22. Miera ielas Vasarsvētki

    kuš! t-shirt workshop, Miera ielas Vasarsvētki, Miera iela, Riga, 24.05.2014

    "Take off your shirt and print!" Printing workshop for little and big visitors at the Miera Street Summer Festival led by Ingrīda Pičukāne, Sabīne Moore and Māra Viška.

  23. SIS Stockholm

    International Comics Festival, Stockholm, Sweden, 17.-18.05.2014

    kuš! had a stand at the Small Press Expo, Stockholm in the  the main venue of the festival. kuš! was represented by it's editor Sanita Muižniece and the artists Ingrīda Pičukāne and Sabīne Moore.

    Next to presenting our own books, we also presented the exhibition Comix4Equality in the Kulturhuset.

    Illustration: excerpt from the festival poster drawn by Nina Hemmingsson.

    With financial support from the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union

    With financial support from Society Integration Foundation (SIF). www.sif.lv

  24. TCAF

    TCAF, Toronto Comic Arts Festival, Toronto, Canada, 10.-11.05.2014

    kuš! was a guest at TCAF! Read more about this exciting festival on our blog.

    Illustration: Excerpt from Michael DeForge's festival poster

  25. The Last Match

    The Last Match, exhibition, Videofag, Toronto, Canada, 08.-12.05.2014

    The Last Match exhibition keeps growing and traveled to Canada with 383 tiny artworks. The exhibition was accompanied by a matching wall painting by Patrick Kyle. Annie Koyama (Koyama Press) invited more local artists to be part of the extending show. Opening reception was Thursday, May 8th, 7:00pm-9:00pm at Videofag, 187 Augusta Avenue.

    Supported by: TCAF, Videofag, Latvian Culture Capital Fundation (VKKF)

    Report on Humber News

  26. Fumetto

    Fumetto, Small Press Market, Lucerne, Switzerland 12.-13.04.2014

    kuš! had a stand at Fumetto – International Comix-Festival Lucerne to show and sell the newest issues and meet with the local comics scene. kuš! was represented by it's editor David Schilter and constant comics contributor König Lü. Q..

  27. CUNE Comics-in-Residence III

    CUNE Comics-in-Residence, Noass, Riga, 01.03-31.03.2014

    In March 2014 kuš! hosted already the third comics artist in residence. The Norway-based artist Berliac from Argentina was selected to spend one month in Riga.

    From March 6th - 20th his exhibition "Inverso' was exhibited at the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art, on the 13th of March he held a presentation evening there and on March 18th he taught a comics workshop at the Latvian Art Academy, the rest of the time he used for his personal comics projects and to meet with the Latvian comics scene.

    The residency is part of the network CUNE Comics-in-Residence (CUNE CiR).

  28. Anti-Narrative Comics Workshop

    Comics Workshop by Berliac, Latvian Art Academy, Riga, 18.03.2014

    Berliac taught a comics workshop at the Latvian Art Academy to 18 students of the illustration courses by Juris Petraškevičs and Maija Kurševa.

  29. Facing Pages

    Facing Pages, Independent Magazine Biennale, Arnhem, Netherlands, 28.-29.03.2014

    Facing Pages is the leading biennale on independent magazines. During several days they host a symposium with lectures and magazine presentations, exhibitions, parties and more in the lively city centre of Arnhem. kuš! is part of the exhibition with the Baltic comics magazine issues š! #13-15.

  30. Next Comic Festival

    Next Comic Festival, Linz, Austria, 20.-23.03.2014

    kuš! had a stand at Next Comic Festival Linz on the 23.03 at the main venue of the festival.

    Next to presenting our own books, we also showed the exhibition Comix4Equality at the Wissensturm from 21.3-18.04. kuš! was represented by it's editors David Schilter and Sanita Muižniece. 

    Illustration: excerpt from Joseph Lambert's festival poster.

    With financial support from the Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Programme of the European Union

  31. Inverso

    Inverso, Exhibition by Berliac, LMC Office Gallery, Riga, 06.03-20.03.2014

    kuš! proudly presents the exhibition 'Inverso' by Berliac at the Latvian Centre for Contemporary Art.

    In the midst of a marital crisis, an unnamed zoologist is assigned to investigate the possible case of a "negative jaguar". The deeper he delves into the Amazonian jungle, the more he steps into the other side of reality. Is it too late to go back?

    Anybody who is interested in a discussion with the artist is invited to attend at 6.30pm on 13th March at the LCCA Office Gallery.

    Berliac is a comics and graphic narrative artist from Argentina. He lives and works in Norway. He has released 6 graphic Novels published in Argentina, Brazil and Spain and exhibited his works internationally. In 2013 kuš! released his story ‘Inverso’ as mini kuš!. His shorter works have appeared in diverse anthologies and zines worldwide. During the month of March Berliac is CUNE artist in residence in Riga invited by kuš!.

    Photos by Didzis Grodzs.

  32. The Millionaires Club

    The Millionaires Club, Leipzig, Germany, 14.-16.03.2014

    kuš! joined The Millionaires Club in Leipzig and presented the newest books at this independent comics & graphics festival. kuš! was be represented by it's editor David Schilter and artist Līva Kandevica, who happily exchanged business cards. David Schilter also lead an artist talk with the Stripburger publisher Katerina Mirović and the artist Andrej Štular.

    Illustration by Līva Kandevica

  33. Designers&Makers

    Designers and Makers from the Creative Neighbourhoods of Riga, different venues, 2014

    kuš! is featured as "International Talent Spotters' in a travelling exhibition initiated and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia and Latvia's diplomatic missions abroad to promote the events of the European Capital of Culture - Riga 2014.
  34. Drink & Draw

    Drink & Draw, different venues, Riga, since 2011

    About once a month we meet up with Latvian artists and comics enthusiast for drink & draw sessions. The idea behind it is to bring the artists out of their comfort zones to meet up with others to have not only a drink together, but to get to know eachother and draw, create comics, make collective drawings, have comics jams, read comics and also talk a bit.

    Since the first event in 2011 we have had a bunch of international guest joining in, such as French cartoonist Sam Teller, Swiss illustrator Ruedi Schorno,  American ilustrator E.J. Barnes, Swiss fanzine king König Lü.Q., French comics collective Psoriasis, American artist Gary Baseman, Dutch comics artist Albo Helm, Austrian animator Stefan Holaus, Austrian kuš! contributor Simon H, Austrian illustrator Christoph Abbrederis , Mexican artist Inés Estrada and comics residents James Turek, Emmi Valve and Berliac. Amanda Baeza, Natalie Chavarria, Paul Paetzel, Liisa Kruusmägi, João Sobral, Mikkel Sommer...

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