Police officer “what are you doing?”
Me “I’m being patriotic”
Police officer visibly confused “you are being patriotic for Latvia?”
Me “yes I am”

For four hours I stood in a power pose by the castle in Cesis, Latvia, proudly holding the Latvian flag, my eyes looking up into the glorious future. A portable speaker played my looped voice singing “paldies” or “thank you” in Latvian, the only word I learned during my stay. When my patriotic shift was over I respectfully rolled up the flag, tied it with a black ribbon, and made my way home.

Conceived and executed during the Rucka artist residency.

footage and images by Elina Matvejeva

“Paldies” vocal loop (1:54 min)