Gallery “Meno parkas”, after pleasant participations at the past 2 editions of the fair, for the third time takes part at POSITIONS Berlin (Arena Berlin, Eichenstraße 4, 12435 Berlin, Germany) and presents pieces by 7 gallery’s “Meno parkas” artists: Aušra Andziulytė, Elena Balsiukaitė-Brazdžiūnienė, Jonas Gasiūnas, Patricija Gilytė, Agnė Jonkutė, Eglė Ulčickaitė, Rosanda Sorakaitė.
Gallery's Booth No B12Huge scale canvas “Willow’s Lake” (2017) by JONAS GASIŪNAS, whose works were also presented in New York last spring at The Armory Arts Week, is presented at this third visit at POSITIONS. Jonas Gasiūnas (born in 1954 in exile - Altaj region, Russia), lives and works in Vilnius, Lithuania. Winner of Lithuanian National prize for Art and Culture, winner of Swedbank Art Award and as a professor in Vilnius Academy of Art and author, he possesses such an immerse creative energy which carries him all his life. Currently one of his “drawing of smoke” canvas is in huge exhibition “Personal Structures”, that is in the context of 57th Venice Biennale. Few months ago “Meno parkas” presented J. Gasiūnas for solo presentation in the Armory Art Week at VOLTA NY and this presentation was followed by review in “Art Berlin”, where editor in chief Esther Harrison was expressing “we especially noticed the Lithuanian artist Jonas Gasiūnas“. He is unique art figure in the national context. As he says now, the idea to convey concrete things through smoke (i.e. using the drawing with the burning candle technology) obsessed him.
PATRICIJA GILYTĖ – artist, was successfully presented in the last two editions of the fair. For this year POSTIONS Berlin artist presents new video installation “Orbis Clock“ that continues the topic of festivity and temporary. Patricija Gilytė (b. 1972) Lithuanian born artist, based in Germany. Creating installations, videos, video performances, that usually explores the relationship between nature and civilization in her works. Actively participating in exhibitions – recent her shows “Factor X - The Chromosom of Art“ in Munchen and exhibition “Personal Structures” in Venice, that goes alongside the 57th Venice Biennale.
Works by gallery’s painter AUŠRA ANDZIULYTĖ – exploits her creation using to her characteristic ways of expression – oil on tin. Using this material artist creates abstraction based landscapes. Works by A. Andziulytė forms spectacular scenery. Aušra Andziulytė (b. 1961, Lithuania) living and working in Lithuania. The sensitivity for color is one of her brightest characteristics of her creation. Her works are extremely subtle, reflecting light philosophy and deep sincerity. Her compositions also feature connection with nature, are not too crowded. Aušra in huge minimalism manages to tell a lot. For her light and space is two most important things and these things are always tried to be reflected in creation of hers, where she always converts plane into space.
AGNĖ JONKUTĖ – artist bearing exceptional sensitivity to the things and places around and what she notices as beautiful (if this word may be used in the context of contemporary art) and meaningful - appears in her creation. Agnė Jonkutė (b. 1974) is based in Lithuania, where has made huge influence for youngest generation as artist of authority and former lecturer at Vilnius Academy of Arts. A. Jonkute stands out with exceptional artistic thinking, which is reflected with frugal ways of expression. This frugality (for colour, quantity etc.) might be perceived as strict and diligent search (or selection) for substance in order to externalize desired feeling, relation, moment of state. While creating painting and installations, the artist researches humans’ relationship with surrounding.
Another new at POSITIONS is expressionist ELENA BALSIUKAITĖ–BRAZDŽIŪNIENĖ. For POSITIONS we present powerful work “Legend” – work portrays an icon of reggae music – Bob Marley. Elena Balsiukaitė–Brazdžiūnienė (b. 1958, Lithuania) is working expressively and could be called an ace of painting. Artist usually uses bright, dark colors, her compositions are loud and passionate, multi-layered, strongly appreciated by art critics and collectors. She could be called a fighter with her creation: she is reactive to the surrounding, daily life, strongly emotional and it is obvious, that through creation she discharges.
After success at POSITIONS in 2016, works by young well concentrated artist EGLĖ ULČICKAITĖ, when works of her were purchased by collector in Berlin, she is welcomed at the fair once again. We can see in Eglė’s works, that time becomes the object of explorations and is based on subjective viewpoint, but familiar for others of her generation. Eglė Ulčickaitė (b. 1989 in Lithuania) young painter, a lecturer at Vilnius Academy of Art. Her works are often autobiographical. Through the motifs of representations of earlier times, childhood, the time becomes main object of exploration in her artworks. While artist herself splendidly rules the image and text, her creation could be defined as fragile – she uses minimal ways of expression.
Contemporary art gallery based in Kaunas, Lithuania, since 1997 by Lithuanian Artists' Association Kaunas department. „Meno parkas“ organizes projects and exhibitions of professional contemporary Lithuanian artists in Lithuania and foreign countries. “Meno parkas” widely collaborates with well experienced and young artists, contemporary art galleries, art centres and art institutions from many countries around the globe, Every two year holds international contemporary art festival “Kaunas in Art”.
"Meno parkas" presentes work "Firework" (2017) by young artist Rosanda Sorakaitė in curated Selected POSITIONS category, where fair's organizers in one wall expose selected artworks not bigger than 50 x 50 cm. Rosanda Sorakaitė (1988), concentrated and responsible, creates the body of piece of art, which catches perceiver and suspends for contemplation. With her specific artistic thinking, which formed by methodical work, Rosanda creates meditative artworks that contain image through awaited moment and reflects fragments of her surroundings. Young gallery’s “Meno parkas” artist has already had 7 personal exhibitions and has participated in around 40 group shows and contemporary art fairs in Lithuania and abroad.
Artworks by Rosanda Sorakaitė received well attention from international audience in September (2016) in London‘s “Saatchi Gallery” where was held contemporary art fair “Start”, where Rosanda’s creation was presented in curated solo presentations section and last June work of her was aquired by collector from Hamburg during art fair SCOPE Basel (2017). Also, R. Sorakaitė won the “Young Painters Prize” that took place last autumn in Vilnius.
"Meno parkas" participation at the fair is partly supported by Lithuanian Council for Culture and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuanian and Kaunas City Municipality programme "Iniciatyvos Kaunui".