Permanent Collection

Roberts Rurans & Eduards Balodis Open “Kultureshock”

Posted on Friday, May 8, 2026

Playful abstract animation may not be what comes to mind to open an investigative journalism program, but Riga-based director/illustrators Eduards Balodis and Roberts Rurans do exactly that for Latvian Television (LTV).

Eduards Balodis and Roberts Rurans: “Starting its 10th season, the TV program Kultureshock was in need of a new visual, motion, and sound identity. The grey shades of the past needed to switch up to a vibrant, engaging, visually exciting new way to show what they do.

“The opening sequence for the show (which focuses on cultural, social, and political issues), depicts a detective moving through a rich and colorful cultural landscape, following the trail of a ‘problem thistle’.”

Images

A nine-panel black and white comic, styled as an animated title sequence for Kultureshock TV show for Public Broadcasting of Latvia, shows a person chasing a spider past artsy props, ending on stage beneath a sign reading KULTURSØNG. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A brown cello rests against orange steps on a yellow background. A melting white candle with a flame sits on the steps, while a small black spiky shape evokes Kultureshock by Roberts Rurans for Public Broadcasting of Latvia. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A colorful abstract illustration inspired by Roberts Rurans features a pink and yellow painting with playful shapes on an orange wall, flanked by deep red silhouettes of stairs and a vase with flowers. The background is pink. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

An illustration by Roberts Rurans shows two colorful masks with wide eyes hanging on a wall, facing a small seated figure in a blue hat on green stairs—a vivid scene evoking Kultureshock. The background features yellow, gray, and green sections with a spiky black shape. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

A colorful, abstract illustration inspired by Roberts Rurans, with bold overlapping shapes and text at the top. Below, a small figure in a hat holds a flower near bright arches—evoking a playful, surreal Kultureshock cityscape. Frame from Stash Magazine article.

Credits

Client: Public Broadcasting of Latvia

Director: Roberts Rurans, Eduards Balodis
Illustration: Roberts Rurans
Animation/Motion design: Eduards Balodis

Sound design: Peteris Pass

Stephen Price

Stephen is the co-founder/CD of Stash Media Inc. and the executive editor of Stash Magazine and the Stash Permanent Collection.
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Category: Broadcast Design, Character Animation, Featured, Motion Design · Tags: Eduards Balodis, Peteris Pass, Public Broadcasting of Latvia, Roberts Rurans