Filips Smits’ practice is rooted in analogue photography and conceptual interventions in the urban environment, transforming public space into a platform for exploring the interaction between the city and its inhabitants. Drawing inspiration from the avant-garde Situationist International movement of the 1950s and the concept of the dérive (unplanned walks), the artist treats the city as a living organism where everyday rituals take on new, liberated forms.
The surreal atmosphere of the works serves as an antidote to persistent political conflicts and the rush of modern life, emphasizing a longing for mental well-being. These staged outdoor rituals and the capturing of sunlight are not an escape from reality, but a utopian invitation to build respectful relationships across different generations and viewpoints. The exhibition presents itself as a witty, temporary solution to the Situationist philosopher Ivan Chtcheglov’s famous claim that there is no longer any Temple of the Sun in the city.
Artwork: Filips Smits. Happening and photography series “LET’S GET SUN-KISSED” (2021–2026), nominee for the Annual Art Award of Latvia, winner of the Adwards XVIII Silver degree in the "Craft" category.
Special thanks to Kalve Coffee and the design studio Support System for their support and contribution to the realization of the project.