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The retrospective exhibition of paintings of Alfredas Šatas “Creation is My Life” at Kaunas Picture Gallery should have become one of the most interesting exhibitions in the panorama of all art exhibitions. It is an exhibition of an artist who attentively observes the black-and-white chess board of life, in which he is both the king and the pawn.
In brief: When did you receive a letter with a carefully inscribed address on the envelope the last time? Calligraphic greetings, compositions of scripts on book covers, in posters and postcards have become rarities. Electronic space seems to have pushed away this phenomenon – manuscript and calligraphy art – for good.
The multi-layered paintings of A. Martinaitis reminded of work of a villager – ploughman in a way. Like Saint Isidore he ploughed the soil of his paintings and raised them to the heights of the spirit. He worked zestfully proving once again in the way known to him only that art was a miracle and not a toy for a snot.
The eyes of members of Kaunas Architecture and Urbanism Experts’ Council (KAUET) turned to new projects in the old town of Kaunas and in Ąžuolynas: the detailed plan of the quarter “Iki-Lituanika” in the old town and the offers for the detailed plan of the land plot located near Ąžuolynas (Oak Forest) at Vydūno Al. 2A did not receive experts’ approval and were sent back for improvement.
When J.Gasiūnas offered to Arūnas to become a member of Angis, he doubted because he evaluated gatherings of artists and art groups sceptically. Later he decided and agreed saying that it would be a test for him.
Arūnas was interested in Kampas’ paintings. He enjoyed the big formats of Rimvydas, the freedom. Sometimes it seemed to Arūnas that Kampas’ works were slightly shallow, he compared them with loud music, trumpets. He searched for multiple layers and depth in his creation. Still, a kind of competition with Kampas could be sensed in Arūnas’ intonations sometimes.
The mother of G.Dabrišius used to wonder: “What does this artist see in the dark there?” Arūnas admired the twilight and structures of the stable, hen-coop. He also painted ornamented windows of the kitchenette in daylight when it did not rain.
M.Kosinskaitė’s works and the community of her characters are unique, highly individual and very much interested in our life. While the case of creation of the artist is not closed yet, the author reads the verdict to the artist - she should promise not to turn out from the chosen road and to avoid any kind of influences. It is the road which may be found among thousands of other paths without advertisements or expensive navigation systems. This road may be recognised while listening to the acoustic voice of one’s heart.
The simplest way is to cover any mix by the name of postmodernism. As if unifying perspective or dialogue among different speakers were impossible in the chaos of postmodernism. No, it is not the postmodernism with endless eclecticism to blame. It is the lack of a critical look, which would establish relations among eclectic parts. Poetry is very diverse. The “Poetry Spring” almanac should vividly represent this variety. Meanwhile, it is meant only for the blind and colour-blind.
The renovated Kaunas Philharmonic, the bigger number of seats, improved acoustics, new chamber hall may attract even more listeners of classical music now. It means that the organisers of concerts will have to work harder while choosing concert programmes and performers from now on. No one will disagree: music of quality is eternity. Isn’t it?
