Italian art expert: Lithuania perhaps speaks a truly European language more clearly Culture



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The virus that has taken over the world has caused a stagnation in the world of culture: tours and performances of artists abroad have been suspended, severely restricted or banned altogether. Some of the holiday events planned in Italy to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence also had to be canceled. However, this pandemic has also opened new avenues for cultural exports.

This fall, instead of live performances, the works of Lithuanian artists are presented in various Italian media: magazines, portals and radio.

An overview of Lithuanian art in an influential Italian publication

Recently, the name Lithuania was heard out loud in one of Italy’s leading cultural publications – Artribune. Laura Gabrielaitytė-Kazulėnienė, Cultural Attaché of Lithuania in Italy, who coordinated the extensive review of the country’s culture in the magazine together with the Institute of Culture of Lithuania, says that such focus on publishing is a great appreciation of the art market of the country.

“It is very gratifying that the review of the Lithuanian art market appeared in the influential publication Artribune, which has the name of a trusted expert not only in Italy, but also abroad. This is an opportunity for artists from our country to present themselves abroad, when it is not possible to go abroad and participate in live events ”, comments L. Gabrielaityte-Kazulėnienė.

Renowned curator Marta Silvi reviewed and highlighted the most important representatives of Lithuanian culture, art spaces and events in the Artribune publication, which have a significant impact on the formation of art, architecture or theater in the country.

Photo from the Ministry of Culture / Laura Gabrielaitytė-Kazulėnienė

Photo from the Ministry of Culture / Laura Gabrielaitytė-Kazulėnienė

According to the diplomat, Artribune describes Lithuania as one of the most dynamic European countries, which can be proud of its freedom for thirty years. The breakup of the Soviet Union, the free decisions of various cultural representatives are clearly visible in the fields of fine arts, architecture, theater or cinema, and in the Lithuanian cultural consciousness in general.

“M.Silvi carefully analyzes the personalities of the individual fields, including Jonas Mekas, the pioneer of avant-garde cinema, Jurgis Mačiūnas, the famous founder of Fluxus, Lina Lapelytė, one of the authors of the Lithuanian pavilion, Eimuntas Nekrošsk, director of the world And these are just some of the important names in our country, mentioned in the article, “says L. Gabrielaityte-Kazulėnienė.

Photo from Wikimedia.org/Jurgis Mačiūnas

Photo from Wikimedia.org/Jurgis Mačiūnas

Lithuanian art with Italian eyes

The publication also highlights the most important Lithuanian cultural spaces and institutions, whose contribution to the country’s art and culture is very significant. For example, for several years now, the Lithuanian Institute of Culture has been organizing a visiting program in which various cultural professionals are invited to Lithuania. One of them is the art historian and curator Alessandra Troncone.

Lithuania probably speaks the most truly European language.

“Compared to other countries of the former Soviet bloc, Lithuania probably speaks the most truly European language. The signs of recent history are perfectly visible, and this gives it an indisputable charm; at the same time, we are seeing a push towards the future that the new generation pursues with great responsibility. Despite the growing role of the ArtVilnius international art fair and galleries already operating internationally, I believe that commercial artistic activities are still quite limited, partly due to Soviet tradition and partly due to because art collecting is not popular enough yet. ”A. Troncone comments on the article.

Another art critic, curator and artistic director of Latituto Art Projects, Benedetta Capri De Resmini, which fosters close relations with Lithuania, reviews the field of art in our country from her perspective and highlights the most popular names of Lithuanian artists.

Image from Arttribune magazine

Image from Arttribune magazine

Lithuania was first revealed to me by my beloved Jan Brokken novel Baltic Souls, and later by the writer Roman Gary. The new generations are marked by the precise deconstruction of historical rhetoric in search of a language that does not correspond to the intonations of the media. First of all, I notice that the artists are developing interesting themes. One of them is Lina Lapelytė, with whom I worked a few years ago.

I am also following the work of Kristina Inčiūraitė with interest. The artist always brings to the surface new elements that go beyond the challenges of identity or violence against women. Finally, I would like to mention a very young photographer, Mykolas Juodele, who lived on the Magic Carpets platform in Rome. I really think he will have an important career as a photojournalist, ”says Capri De Resmini.

The thirst for culture that I discovered in Lithuania has long since disappeared in Italy.

The magazine spoke with renowned Italian artist Silvi Giambrone and famous curator Caterina Avataneo, who highlighted the country’s cultural potential.

“My first experience in Lithuania was very significant not only because the history of this country intersects with the most important moments in European history, but also because I was very moved by the tangible need for people to speak their present and future in artistic languages and cultural. complex past and striving to turn it into a conscious present. The thirst for culture that I discovered in Lithuania has long since disappeared in Italy, “says S. Giabrone to Artribune.

The Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Italy is a partner in the presentation publication of Lithuanian art and culture Artribune. An English version of the publication is available here.

Image from Arttribune magazine

Image from Arttribune magazine

The name of Lithuania at the Italian Radio Festival

This week, a radio festival dedicated to the 30th anniversary of Lithuania’s independence began in Italy. Every week, the radio station Radio Rock will dedicate an hour to air for conversations about Lithuanian culture and 8 different areas.

“Last spring, several ideas were circulated on the ways in which the presentation of Lithuanian artists abroad could be continued. We interact with Italian experts who have already worked directly with Lithuanian representatives, so we developed the idea of ​​the opportunity to tell them their impressions and opinions on the culture of our country.

Radio Rock has embarked on a series of shows in which Italians will discuss various areas of Lithuanian culture, such as cinema, music, visual arts or theater. The first program, dedicated to the influence of rock music in the restoration of independence, presented the history of Lithuania and attracted great interest, ”says L. Gabrielaityte-Kazulėnienė.

Lithuanian rock music will be played during every show of the festival. The music program was composed by the well-known Lithuanian musicologist Darius Užkuraitis.

November 17 will begin to review Lithuanian rock music, country cinema and theater in other fall programs of the radio festival. 2021 In January, Radio Rock will continue the cycle with shows dedicated to Lithuania in Italy, visual arts and the Lithuanian pavilion at the Sun & Sea Venice Biennale. Broadcast recordings are also available in network cable format “Radio Rock” website. You can find the recording of the first show here.



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