Inexpedient supplement of Kaunas Biennial or its part? 3

Miglė Munderzbakaitė
www.kamane.lt, 2013-10-23
Linas Blažiūnas “Moonlight in eyes of Owls”

In brief: The segregated, outcasts or one of the composite parts of Kaunas Biennial Unitext? An equal exhibition, only in different space, or shadow of the grand competitive exhibition at M.Žilinskas Gallery? There are more questions that arise while visiting the young artists’ exhibition at Kaunas Picture Gallery…

”To gather emerging Lithuanian artists of the youngest generation that would represent different art disciplines”, “to disclose the dynamics and variety of young Lithuanian art”, “to create the platform for presentation of young talented artists in context of international event.” Such aims were set by the organisers of Kaunas Biennial while preparing the exhibition “Young Artists’ Projects”. Was all of this implemented in fact?

The statement that representatives of the young generation were rallied is true, still, the question remains why the criterion of age is so important to the organisers. Perhaps the exhibition of these artists should not be viewed through the prism of age only?

Perhaps the exhibition transmits some general message or has a theme that joins all artists? Perhaps the artists are related by the similar creation technique? No, seventeen artists presenting their works use very different techniques (photography, painting, sculpture, installation, etc.). Perhaps the works displayed in the exhibition transmit similar ideas? This question should be analysed deeper.

The works of several artists are united by the theme of alienation. Such works are “The Left Ones” of Renata Vinckevičiūtė and “The Rejected” of Neringa Kisielienė. Works of both authors speak about lonely people or children left by parents.

Play with light is typical of several works. In addition to the mentioned “The Rejected”, light is important for the image of mirrors of Barbora Gediminaitė “Dialogue of Light – Things II”. This work reminds of the installation of the competitive exhibition “Study for a Walk” of Boris Oicherman.

The author notices more reflections in works of young authors from the competitive programme. Not only visual similarity but also themes analysed in works relate young artists and artists in the competitive exhibition.

Therefore, we see that there is no one idea uniting works of this exhibition of Kaunas Biennial. Then, perhaps young artists looked at the concept of Unitext in a more original manner. However, not all exhibits of this exhibition are eloquent and do not demand a further explanation. Owls of L. Blažiūnas should probably hide a deeper meaning and not only observe visitors of the gallery? Works of A. Danusevičius also make one ask: from where and how the idea of this work should be read?

Neringa Kisielienė ”The Rejected”

The art director of Kaunas Biennial Dr. Virginija Vitkienė states: “Young artists stand out by the more sensitive listening and courage for unexpected experiments, sallies, criticism, ignorance.” There were some attempts and searches in the exhibition, perhaps they were not so unexpected. In the author’s opinion, one of the most outstanding works was the work created by N. Kisielienė using luminescent threads.

The author wants to stop at the word “ignorance” for a longer moment. This feature is really noticeable in the exhibition as for the implementation of the aforementioned task of Unitext. The majority of authors did not carry out this task. Nonetheless, it would be erroneous to consider this feature as unique and typical of this exhibition only. Not all exhibits of the competitive exhibition are easily understandable to the viewer too.

Thus, the exhibition of young artists' projects arises many questions as for the form, structure, choice of artists and its separation in Kauans Biennial. If we look at the exhibition without thinking that it is part of the biennial and without searching for the implemented task of Unitext, if we forget the separation of young artists, perhaps we will notice several more outstanding and innovative works that give birth to discussions, questions and that invite to think. 


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