The Jonas Mekas Visual Arts Center and NBA (Non Budget Art) join artist Antanas Zabielavičius’ initiative and present his obelisk dedicated to the defenders of freedom in Belarus.
„Жыве Беларусь”
(Long Live Belarus)
On view from January 12, 2021, 7PM at the Jonas Mekas Visual Arts Center, Malūnų g. 8, Vilnius, LT
“Lukashenko’s goons are still harassing and striking them down on the streets of Belarus.”
Artist Antanas Zabielavičius
“We feel the anguish of your mothers and weep together with them.”
Theatre and film critic Ramunė Kudzmanaitė
“Freedom is the only choice. The road is a long and painful one, but you are not alone.”
Composer Gintaras Sodeika
Antanas Zabielavičius has dedicated his obelisk „Жыве Беларусь” (Long Live Belarus), to the defenders of freedom and democracy in Belarus and all of those who continue to suffer under Lukashenko’s repressive regime. The artist hopes that his work will encourage more people to actively support the Belarusian nation and its goal of freedom. Reclaimed street bricks, red and white paper napkins, a kilometer of black rope and the trunks of felled aspens were used for creating the installation.
The obelisk will be on view at the Jonas Mekas Visual Arts Center from January 12, 7PM. In light of the continuing quarantine in Lithuania, visitors are invited to view the obelisk through the windows of the gallery that will be lit up 24 hours a day. A video installation specially created for this occasion by R. Kudzmanaitė and G. Sodeika will also be presented.
Please wear masks and maintain a safe distance.
Antanas Zabielavičius expanded upon the traditions of conceptualism to become one of the most interesting and mysterious artists of his generation. He has been presenting his work in Lithuania and abroad for over 20 years, has curated various artistic projects and created set designs. The artist uses every imaginable type of media to implement his ideas.
His creative work can best be described as a process that combine intellectualism with emotion. His works spring from his environment and situations that metaphorically extend one another, as if commenting on the life of the artist himself. Reality and everyday situations are often imbued with speech or more readily grasped material forms. As he himself asks, “What makes up that nothing that is significantly more important than everything that we work so hard for? ”
