The book presents the artistic work of black and white photography by Valdis Brauns. The fine art expert Jānis Borgs said the following about Valdis Brauns: “Art photography of Valdis Brauns is explicitly poetic and inspired by sensible humanism. Its message and pictorialness is kindred to a poet expression. Also here, in the foreground, it is not the documentalism as if characteristic to photography, but rather lyrical metaphors, romantic symbolism and elegies of fine moods.”

In the words of the photography artist Valdis Brauns: “The idea of this photo book – which is the fourth in the last 15 years – emerged about eight years ago. The book is a collection of works from the 1970s to the present day. These are the works and portraits of the entire life – friends, actors, artists and just likeable people. I would also like to express my thanks to Latio and the State Fisheries Fund for their support in the making the book and organization of this exhibition.”

The photo book Moments of Life is the fourth collection of works by Valdis Brauns: Wind of Dreams was released in 2000, Weddings – in 2005 and Salty Winds – in 2013.

The exhibition and release of the photo book are held within the project on awareness and preservation of the values of the Latvian photography. This is the twelfth year that the company Latio, which is a significant supporter of the photographic industry, is implementing this project. In February, the focus of attention was the creative work of Pēteris Jaunzems, and in March there is the opportunity to evaluate the work of Valdis Brauns – member of the jury of the project, master of photography and classic artist.

Valdis Brauns was born in 1945 in Ugale Village, Ventspils District. He has been engaged in photography since the age of 21. Brauns has taken part in 282 exhibitions and has been granted 142 awards. In 1978, at World Press Photo in Holland, he received the Golden Eye Award for his work The Rain of Happiness. The artist’s works have been exhibited not only in his homeland, but also far beyond its limits; his works have been published in various photography yearbooks as well as they are a part of many museum and private collections.

Latio continues the established traditions of holding photo exhibitions – this year, several exhibitions of well-known and new Latvian photographers are planned to take place.

Until 31 March 2015, visitors are welcome to attend the photo exhibition Moments of Life of Latvian photographer Valdis Brauns that is displayed at the head office of the real estate company Latio at 8 Krišjāņa Valdemāra Street, Riga, every workday from 9 AM to 5:30 PM.