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“It is very symbolic that today and in this place another sculpture that adorns Vilnius has been presented. Lydos and Kėdainių st. The Vilnius Jewish Quarter used to be located at the intersection, and today we commemorate the second anniversary of the death of one of the most famous Lithuanian sculptors, Romualdas Kvintas. The uniqueness of the sculptor’s works is their dialogue with the city, the environment in which they are located, and undoubtedly the sculptor’s desire to create sculptures in the first place to stimulate emotion, perpetuate history and become an inspiration for create new Vilnius legends, ”said Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius.
According to the municipal report, the “Water Carrier” sculpture unveiled today symbolizes the Jewish water lover, believed to have been frequently seen in Vilnius Old Town. This work was carried out by the poorest, they took water from the river and delivered it to shops and workshops in the old town, where there was no running water.
Inspired by one of the most beautiful works in Vilnius
One of the most significant works of M. Kulbakas is the poem “City” (Lithuanian name – “Vilnius”, 1926). It is considered one of the most profound and beautiful works in Vilnius. This poem became a source of inspiration for R. Kvintas to create the sculpture “Water Carrier”.
You are a dark pet planted in Lithuania,
Wrapped in lichens and samanom gray;
Every wall is parchment
each stone is a writing,
Arranged enigmatically and scattered through the night,
When there’s a water bearer in the old synagogue
He stands up and, counting his beard, counts the stars.
The water carrier trade has been important in Vilnius since ancient times, although it was practiced by the poorer residents of the city. The hero of the sculpture symbolizes the idealism that abounded even in the most difficult moments. One of the objectives of the project is to tell a fragment of the Jewish history of Vilnius, to make sense of the Jewish heritage of Vilnius, which is why a place for the sculpture was chosen on the territory of the former Jewish ghetto of Vilnius.
R. Kvintas, like five other last works, commissioned the sculptor and painter Martynas Gaubas to carry out this sculpture, and it was cast in bronze by the master Rimantas Keturka.
“The initiators of the project conceived of installing the sculpture of a water carrier on the northern border of the Great Ghetto of Vilnius. This place was offered very aptly, so it is not surprising that, in addition to important discussions, it has also been approved in the Vilnius municipality. The aquifer sculpture is one of the last works by Romualdas Kvintas to appear in Vilnius. The sculpture, created according to the sketch of a prominent sculptor, completes the era of R. Kvintas in Vilnius, which was characterized by a particularly delicate and intimate relationship with the viewer. Starting today, Vilnius will be even more welcoming and warm, ”said Gediminas Jaunius, member of the Vilnius City Council and chairman of the Historical Memory Commission.
The sculptor R. Kvintas made a significant contribution to promoting Vilnius’ sculptural plasticity. His works become organic elements of the daily life of the city, which people especially appreciate, like to see and take photos. This last sculpture will mark several important vestiges of Vilnius: Jews and quintiles.
The legacy of R. Kvintas in Vilnius is extremely rich and expands even after the death of the sculptor. Last year, the first sculpture by Litvak’s world-famous artist, writer and poet Leonardo Cohen was unveiled in the courtyard of the Gabi restaurant in Vilnius Old Town.
His previous works in the center of the capital are sculptures by the writer Romainas Gary and Dr. Cemach Šabadas, who spent their childhood here, bas-reliefs “Belly of Success” on Vilnius Street and in the library of the poet Adam Mickevičius named after him. . The last work of the artist, revealed in life, was a sculpture of Martin Luther in the courtyard of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vilnius.
R. Kvintas himself lived and worked on Tilto Street, so there are traces of him there too. A girl with an umbrella decorates a fountain in the artist’s yard. The slightly lesser-known sculpture Chloja stands in the enclosed courtyard of the Bank of Lithuania. Further from the central part of the city, near the Lithuanian Children and Youth Center, we will find a sculpture of a girl in memory of the missing children, in Naujamiestis, in the courtyard of the Lithuanian Radio and Television – Memorial of the 13 January, near the R. Gary sculpture dedicated to charities in the Lithuanian capital. “.
Created for the people
Romualdas Quintas’s sculptures are characterized by warmth, sensitivity, and characteristic plastic form. Heroes are represented as ordinary people, their figures are created on a life-size scale. The direct connection between the sculpture and the viewer is the most striking feature of R. Quint’s work.
Although he was born and raised in Samogitia, Žagarė, the artist considered himself a resident of Vilnius. Called Romkis by friends and family, the author has said that he creates sculptures for people who are his main source of inspiration: “They are for people. So that the person with the sculpture can communicate, so that she does not disturb him, does not shock him. Make the sculpture fit in that environment to decorate it. And if it intrigues, it’s even better. “
The aforementioned L. Cohen, C. Shabad, R. Gary are people of Jewish origin, whose sculptures were created by R. Quint. According to the author himself, the Jewish theme in his work began with a commemorative plaque to Herman Perelstein, the creator of the Ąžuoliukas children’s choir. The last sculpture “Aquarius” expanded the Jewish theme.
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