About

Papardes meaning "ferns" in Latvian, is the historic designation of this traditional Livonian farmstead. This ancient plant is significant in local folkloric traditions – the mythical fern flower blooming only once a year on the summer solstice (Līgo), a symbol of enlightenment and hidden knowledge. 

The property itself has a layered history: constructed in the 1930s by a Livonian family, this territory later became part of a closed military zone during Soviet times, destroying much of the local people's livelihood and culture. Following Latvia's independence, it was acquired by artist Viktor Schildknekht in the 1990s before becoming Rappaport's residence in 2004. 

Alexander Rappaport (1941-2025) was an architectural theorist, philosopher, art historian, and artist whose work traversed disciplinary boundaries. His writings on architectural phenomenology and spatial theory have been published in multiple languages and informed a diverse body of theoretical and creative work. From 2004 until his passing, Rappaport made Papardes his home and intellectual retreat, where he continued his research, writing, and artistic practice. It was at Papardes that Rappaport created his most prolific body of work; writing and painting every day. The solitary communion with nature, removed from the city and societal structures, provided him with an impetus for reflection and creation. Life here allowed him to "concentrate on the time of one's being," as he said, "you rise with the sun, you watch the clouds drift... there is much that is mysterious and amazing in time." 

The residency is guided by interests in philosophy, ecology, architecture, and artistic practice. It values process over product, craft alongside theory, and engagement with both local heritage and broader intellectual questions. The library and archive at Papardes reflect these concerns, housing materials on architectural theory, philosophy, and art history. 

Ariadne Arendt, Alexander Rappaport's daughter, oversees the residency's development. As an arts writer and artist involved in craft processes, she brings complementary perspectives to the project. The ceramic studio planned for the property represents one extension of these interests into material practice. Being the third generation artist to steward this property (following her great uncle Viktor Schildknekht and her father) Ariadne continues a legacy that sets Papardes apart as a truly artist-run space.

The Papardes Residency is in its formative stage. During 2025-2026, we are establishing its formal structure, including registration as a cultural foundation, formation of an advisory board of trustees, and development of sustainable funding models. This period of becoming is approached as an opportunity for reflection and careful consideration of how the residency can best serve its intellectual and creative purposes.