Kaunas Artists’ House is pleased to invite you to the screening of Jonas Mekas’s film “Walden” (1969), as well as readings of Mekas’s poetry and musical improvisations on 11-12 December, 7-10 pm.
On Monday, 11 December, 7 pm. Kaunas Artists’ House invites you to the screening of Jonas Mekas’s film “Walden” (1969, 3 hours).
The diary film is composed of chronologically arranged visual material, filmed during 1965-1996. For a long time, Mekas explored New York, its streets and corners, cafes and artists’ studios. His archival material displays Mekas’s friends and random passers-by, as well as seasonal changes. While some situations are captured in a few frames, others go on for longer stretches of time. The soundtrack of the film was combined from different urban sounds: the noise of metro stations, people’s voices, pieces of music by Frederic Chopin and other compositions rooted in the daily life of New York. Through the editing of the film, Mekas recreates his memories and emotional experiences – gradually, events, people and memories turn into dust of time. Because of this, “Walden” can be perceived as both a poetic reminiscence and an associative journey in time.
On Tuesday, 12 December, 7 pm. Kaunas Artists’ House invites you to an evening of Mekas’ poetry readings and musical improvisations.
Although the language in the melancholic poetry of Jonas Mekas seems simple and practical, it eventually turns into a series reminiscences, a spiritual topography of Mekas’s birth place. During the event, Mekas’s poetry will be read by the actor Dainius Gavenonis. The readings will be followed by musical improvisations performed by Mindaugas Vadoklis’s Jazz Quartet: Arkadijus Gotesmanas (drums), Liutauras Janušaitis (keyboards, saxophone), Domas Aleksa (bass guitar), Mindaugas Vadoklis (trumpet).
The events are organized by Jonas Mekas Foundation and Jonas Mekas Visual Art Center.
The entry to both events is free.
