Algis Uždavinys. Photo by V.Žukas
The well-known culture researcher, philosopher, art critic Prof. Habil. Dr. Algis Uždavinys (1962 04 26 - 2010 07 25) died suddenly on the 25th of July, 2010 at the age of 48.
A. Uždavinys was born in Vilnius on the 26th of April, 1962. He studied at the State Art Institute in Vilnius in 1980-87 and acquired the specialty of an art critic. He was persecuted for anti-soviet activities during the years of studies.
He continued post-graduate studies at the Lithuanian Institute of Philosophy and Sociology in 1996-2000, where he defended the DA thesis on the theme "Hermeneutic Philosophy of Proclus”. He was conferred the title of the habilitated doctor of science in 2008.
A. Uždavinys worked as the art correspondent of the weekly Literatūra ir Menas in 1987-89; was a scientific associate at the Lithuanian Institute of Culture and Art, Department of Comparative Culture Studies, Aesthetics and Art Theory in 1987-2002; worked at the Lithuanian Institute of Philosophy, Culture and Art in 1995-2002, was the senior scientific associate at the Department of Comparative Culture Studies from 2002, senior scientific associate of Vilnius Academy of Arts, Kaunas Art Institute, head of the Department of Arts, professor from 2000.
A. Uždavinys is the author of many scientific articles, translations, reviews about culture and art, poetry and prose works. The philosopher has written and published scientific monographs in Lithuanian and English: "Hermeneutic Philosophy of Proclus" (2002), "Hellenic Philosophy from Numenius to Sirian“ (2003), "Egyptian Book of the Dead" (2003), "The Golden Chain. Anthology of Pythagorean and Platonic Philosophy" (2004), "Wisdom Road of Hermes Trismegist” (2005), “Problematic of Symbols and Images Interpretation in Ancient Civilisations” (2006), “Sufism in Islamic Civilisation” (2007), “Philosophy as a Rite of Rebirth. From Ancient Egypt to Neoplatonism” (2008), “Philosophy and Theurgy in Late Antiquity” (2010), etc.
A.Uždavinys was cited as a Lithuanian humanitarian the most abroad and represented Lithuania in many international conferences; he lectured at various European, Asian and Australian universities. The field of universal and academic studies of A.Uždavinys encompassed comparative civilisation studies, comparative culture studies as well as Lithuanian art. The books of A.Uždavinys granted a rare occasion to readers to take a deeper glance at other cultures.
The Lithuanian Art Critics’ Association recognised him the best art critic in 1998; he was awarded with P.Dovydaitis Prize in 2000. The scientist was a member of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association (1999), International Society for Neoplatonic Studies, US Section (1997), Lithuanian Orientalists’ Association (1992), Lithuanian Aesthetics’ Association (1993), member of editors’ boards of many continuous scientific publications and series of books.
A.Uždavinys was surely one of the most talented representatives of Lithuanian humanists. His death is a great loss to the world of science and art, which lost the outstanding personality of rich spirit, penetrating intellect, unique talent and incredible diligence.
Algis Uždavinys died on the 25th of July and was buried in Druskininkai Cemetery.
