Exhibition Revising Connections presents works of six Vilnius Academy of Arts Textile Art and Design master degree students – Martyna Plioplytė-Zujienė, Liucija Dervinytė, Rasa Icen, Ieva Laskevičiūtė, Rūta Simutytė and Viktorija Kuliavaitė.
At first sight individual art pieces are actually intertwined with diverse relations: first, they unfold between the artists – who are both learning together and collaborating in the exhibition as a gathered community. Recurring themes are conveyed in different ways and intertwine through art objects: the stories told, symbolism of objects, relations and experiences created, nature and sustainability. They are connected by subtle, different forms, which are created using materials that are important to the artists. And lastly, a link is created with the viewer – when he, the viewer, is temporarily accepted to this small community, and is encouraged not only to understand, personally reflect, but also to continue the discussion on topics chosen by the artists.
The exhibition can be viewed in different ways, from a chosen preferrable angle: as complete individual artworks in a group exhibition; as a continuous exhibition where a small community discusses relevant themes in different art forms; self-discovered connections between artists, ideas and objects – by experiencing not only intentionally evoked positive emotions but also venturing into the depths of unpleasant, painful personal experiences and lastly getting free through offered cleansing rituals. The viewer is invited to become a part of these diverse relations.
Exhibits Upheavals and Connections / Perve(i)rsmai ir jungtys (M. Plioplytė-Zujienė) and River / Upė (R. Icen) became a symbolic expression of experiences when no longer wanted objects were reused to make artworks. These students integrated unwanted plush toys and clothes, some of which were thrown away and became anonymous, symbolizing the end and letting go of something (Upheavals and Connections), while others – although no longer needed, still carrying stories and memories inside (River). The artworks unfold in three stages. Opening: sharing personal stories; in one case – artist‘s own story (Upheavals and Connections), in the other – the stories of the art project participants (River). Cleansing: letting go of a personal story by incorporating it in an artwork. Preservation: a sculpture as a repository of stories.
These stages echo in other artworks as well – Networks of Nature / Gamtos tinkluose (L. Dervinytė) – collectively embroidering a bedsheet whilst discussing important themes, in this case not seeking to encapsulate different stories but to find solutions for problems together; also (K)not repetitions (I. Laskevičiūtė) – reflecting personal experiences and individual influences on the changes of a daily repeated (in this case – knot binding) process. These works are connected through similar visual expressions – each of them individually and together linked with threads and relations. They reflect on problems, personal observations and their physical expression.
Strong visual connection can also be seen in the artworks From Nature / Iš gamtos (R. Simutytė) and InDoor Nature (V. Kuliavaitė), which are related by artists‘ idea to create a functional art object for home space. Although the purpose of these objects are different, both of them echo motives of nature, structures, natural materials. Beforehand discussed ecological problems and sought relation between human and nature (Networks of Nature) are transferred to physical space. Artists took into consideration the needs of people and complemented indoor interior with functional textile sculptures that awaken the senses.
Curated by Uršulė Baltėnaitė
Opening of the exhibition will take place on the 6th of September, at 6 PM at the VAA gallery Artifex, (Gaono str.1, Vilnius).