CORRESPONDENCE CLUB

Initiated by photographer and mail art enthusiast, Thomas Vandenberghe

A crucial aspect for me is the uniqueness of each artwork; I create pieces that are intended for one recipient only. The materiality of pictures is paramount to me – I need to feel, smell, and interact with the photographs. I enjoy handling negatives, touching prints, writing on them, and even burning them; the physical material is incredibly important to me. 

Thomas Vandenberghe from interview to Sergej Timofejev, arterritory.com

photo by Baiba Zvejniece

Thomas Vandenberghe, Kasteellaan 38, 9000 Gent, Belgium

Vladimirs Svetlovs and/or Anna Volkova, Senču 6, Zvejniekciems LV-2161, Latvija

Elza Gaitniece, Vidus 6 - 12A, Rīga LV-1010, Latvija

Sarmīte Krūze, Ziedugravas 5, Strenči LV-4730, Latvija

Griet Dewijngaert, Dutselstraat 57, 3220 Holsbeek, Belgium

Dasha Trofimova, Tallinas 35b-47, Rīga LV-1012, Latvija

Aija Bley, Pērnavas 15-46, Salacgrīva LV-4033, Latvija

Elza Neimane, Pērnavas 21 -1, Rīga LV-1012, Latvija

Streep, Bollestraat 30, 8810 Lichtervelde, Belgie

Lia Beta, Amfoterou 12 Harilaou Thessaloniki, PS 54250, Greece

Polina Kinejeva, E. Birznieka-Upīša 27-17, Rīga LV-1011, Latvija

Stephen Tomasko, 767 Spring Water Dr Akron, OH 44333, USA

Poētiskais robotisms & Reportiere, Kundziņsalas 9. šķērslīnija 6, Rīga LV-1005, Latvija

Emīls Stuķēns, Stabu iela 25-15, Rīga LV-1011, Latvija

Hal Weaver, Gaujas iela 49, Rīga LV-1026, Latvija

photo by Baiba Zvejniece

You’re welcome to join our Correspondance Club by sending photos, drawings etc. to the artists of your choice

In spring of 2024 year, responding to an invitation from the Strenči Photography Workshop, the Belgian photographer and mail art enthusiast Thomas Vandenberghe began a visual conversation with artists from Latvia. Meeting in Strenči, the participants in the correspondence – mostly photographers – experimented with different photographic techniques and prepared their own personal messages. After leaving Strenči, the correspondence continued, with more and more participants joining in. To express it in the language of photographers, they all use in their work one and the same root substance – light – and are equidistant from the sun. This exhibition Equidistant From the Sun was the result of that three-month-long exchange of letters.

After the exhibition ended, we forwarded the participants’ letters to one another to ensure their correspondence continued uninterrupted.