As we find ourselves in the midst of summer's heatwaves, we are thrilled to bring you the latest updates on the most sought-after Lithuanian talents.
A special shout-out goes to the powerful females who are taking center stage in the biggest scenes of New York City. Get ready for some inspiring news and incredible upcoming performances!
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Jonas Mekas Movies in Washington
July 29th-30th, Washington
The Washington National Gallery of Art invites you to celebrate the centennial of 16-millimeter film. The advent of this format created infinite possibilities for personal filmmaking while still capturing artists' interest as a creative medium. The "Summer of 16mm: Celebrating 100 Years of Film series" will screen works filmed in 16mm by renowned artists, including Camille Billops, William Greaves, Amy Halpern, Jonas Mekas, and Naomi Uman, throughout July and August.
Walden, filmed from 1964 to 1969, was the late Mekas' first completed diary film, composed of moments, events, and experiences. An epic portrait of the New York avant-garde arts scene of the 1960s, it features many of Mekas' friends from that period, including Andy Warhol, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and The Velvet Underground. Walden is not only a home movie but also an earnest and beautiful record of the everyday.
Fragments of Paradise is an intimate look at the life and work of Mekas (1922-2019). This film presents Mekas to the viewer through thousands of hours of his own video and film diaries, including never-before-seen tapes and unpublished audio recordings, as well as interviews with filmmakers he influenced and members of his family. There will be a post-screening discussion with KD Davison in person.
Free admission: register here.
Video: SIFF 2023 Trailer: Fragments of Paradise
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Periodical by Lina Plioplyte New York Premiere
August 1st, 7PM, New York
The newest documentary film, Periodical, directed by Lina Plioplytė, is taking over the Big Apple’s screens. “Come one, come all, bring your daughters and your conservative uncles!” says Plioplyte, inviting you to the New York City premiere of Periodical at the IFC Center. After the screening, stay for a Q&A session with the stars and director of the film.
Periodical tells the unexpected story of the human body by exploring the marvel and mystery of the menstrual cycle, from first period to last. But this is not your middle school sex-ed class. The movie brings you stories from soccer champion Megan Rapinoe to scientists and young activists, uncovering shocking truths, challenging taboos, and celebrating the untapped potential of this special nutrient-dense blood.
Through innovative mixed media storytelling, Periodical is for everyone who wants to know more about the menstrual cycle, and especially for those who don’t.
This screening is part of Doc NYC Summer Selects.
Get your tickets: IFC.
More about the movie: MSNBC. Meet the Artist: Lina Plioplytė. Image: Periodical movie poster; Video: Periodical Film Official Trailer.
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Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla Makes Her New York Philharmonic Debut
October 11th-14th, New York
Lithuanian conductor Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla is set to make her New York Philharmonic debut, commencing with a piece for strings by her compatriot Raminta Šerkšnytė. The performance will conclude with selections from Lemminkäinen Suite, Sibelius's orchestral adaptation of Finnish folk tales.
Grammy Award-winning star pianist, Daniil Trifonov, will grace the stage and perform Robert Schumann's rousing Piano Concerto, a Romantic masterpiece known for its ability to uplift and inspire.
Get your tickets: NYPHIL.
Image: Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Nyphil.org
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Asmik Grigorian and Martynas Levickis – Winners of Opus Klassik Awards
Lithuanian opera singer, soprano Asmik Grigorian, and accordionist Martynas Levickis have won the German Opus Klassik awards for top classical music recordings of the year. These awards are among the most important and prestigious European classical music awards.
Grigorian received recognition in the Best Soloist category for her debut studio album, "Dissonance." The album features her captivating performances of romances for voice and piano by her favorite composer, Sergei Rachmaninoff, with the talented Lukas Geniušas on the piano.
Meanwhile, Martynas Levickis secured the title of Instrumentalist of the Year for his solo album, "Autograph." This remarkable album blends the enchanting sounds of Lithuanian folk music with the accordion.
Organized by the Association for the Promotion of Classical Music, these awards aim to celebrate and honor performers in the classical music genre. This year's competition attracted over 600 artists from around the world. The awards ceremony will take place at St. Elisabeth's Church in Marburg on October 7th, followed by another event at the Berlin Concert Hall on October 8th.
More about Asmik Grigorian: click here.
More about Martynas Levickis: click here.
Images: L'Officiel Lietuva; Martynasmusic.com
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Asmik Grigorian's Debut at Metropolitan Opera in 2024
April 26th-May 11th, 2024, New York
The Metropolitan Opera's 2023–24 season is set to become its most remarkable in modern history, with an impressive lineup of six new productions. The season welcomes a plethora of major singers, conductors, and directors making their Met debuts, while also featuring the return of numerous prominent artists. Among the eagerly awaited debutants is the renowned Lithuanian opera singer, soprano Asmik Grigorian.
Asmik Grigorian's much-anticipated Met debut will be in Puccini's masterpiece, Madama Butterfly. Three sopranos, Aleksandra Kurzak, Eleonora Buratto, and Asmik Grigorian, will take on the demanding role of Cio-Cio-San, the trusting geisha at the heart of Puccini's tragic opera.
Tenors Matthew Polenzani and Jonathan Tetelman trade off as the callous American naval officer Pinkerton, whose betrayal destroys her. Mezzo-sopranos Elizabeth DeShong and Eve Gigliotti are the steadfast maid Suzuki, and baritones Davide Luciano and Lucas Meachem are the American consul Sharpless. Acclaimed maestro Xian Zhang makes her Met debut conducting Anthony Minghella’s vivid production.
Asmik Grigorian's presence at the Metropolitan Opera promises to be a momentous occasion, adding to the excitement of the 2023-24 season with this exceptional cast and production of Madama Butterfly.
Get your tickets: metopera.
Image: Metopera.org
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Follow the Art to Vilnius 700
Vilnius Biennial of Performance Art 2023
July 23rd-August 6th, Vilnius
Vilnius Biennial of Performance Art (VB23) is a new and ongoing international event dedicated to contemporary performance art, organised by Vilnius City Gallery Meno Niša as an official part of Vilnius’ 700th-anniversary celebration.
VB23 will present a diverse range of 18 performances by both international and Lithuanian artists, with nearly half of them being new works specially commissioned and produced for this biennial. The primary focus of the inaugural event is on Vilnius as a city, exploring it as a human-made and human-dominated environment shared with other life forms. It will delve into the collision, coexistence, and overlap of various histories, myths, activities, interests, desires, and visions that define the city's identity.
The main programme of the Biennial will take place from July 23 to August 6, 2023, encompassing public and semi-public spaces across Vilnius. This is a unique opportunity to witness the power and creativity of performance art while celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Vilnius during its 700th-anniversary festivities.
More info: VB23.
Image: Photo by Andrej Vasilenko, VB23 Archive.
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Nomeda and Gediminas Urbonas: Partially Swamped Institution
July 27th-September 24th, Vilnius
Embracing and challenging negative mythologies associated with the natural world, the exhibition "Partially Swamped Institution" finds hope and potential in the swamp. Curated by Nomeda and Gediminas Urbonas, the exhibition features significant works from the last decade, such as "River Runs" (2012), "Mushroom Power Plant" (2017), and "The Psychotropic House: Zooetics Pavilion of Ballardian Technologies" (2015-16).
Archives of earlier projects are also on display, some of which date back to the transitional period following the fall of the Iron Curtain. These include early feminist interpretations of the (post-)Soviet psyche, community-based activist art, and collaborations between art and science. The exhibition traces the evolving phases of the Urbonases' artistic output, all the while emphasizing their long-standing commitment to environmental citizenship.
"Partially Swamped Institution" offers a unique opportunity to experience the Urbonas duo's thought-provoking and diverse body of work, showcasing their artistic vision that looks to nature, transformation, and environmental responsibility.
Curator: Lars Bang Larsen. Exhibition design: Jurga Daubaraitė and Jonas Žukauskas. Graphic design: NODE Berlin Oslo.
More info: NDG.
Image: Urbonas Studio, Swamp Observatory Gotland AR App, 2022.
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No. 5, 2023 |
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Memory as a Journal |
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The Lithuanian Institute of Culture presents the fifth issue of the art and culture magazine “* as a Journal”, dedicated to the theme of memory. Curated by art curator and researcher Daiva Price, the issue delves into the intricacies of memory and its profound impact on our lives.
For this issue, 18 esteemed authors, including historians, art researchers, writers, artists, psychologists, and political scientists from Lithuania and around the world, have come together to explore the multifaceted topic of memory.
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Their contributions provide deep insights into the interplay between the past and the present, the complexities of warring memories, trauma and healing, and how memory shapes our perception of identity. Additionally, the magazine opens up the possibility of learning from history's lessons.
“Memory as a Journal” promises to be a captivating and thought-provoking collection of perspectives that will leave readers reflecting on the profound significance of memory in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves.
Read: asajournal.lt
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The First Podcast Dedicated to Lithuania’s Contemporary Music
Composers On Air is the first podcast for the international audiences that explores Lithuania’s contemporary music field. The host, True Rosaschi, brings deeper insights into the lives of composers and is committed to showcasing new perspectives on innovative Lithuanian music.
This podcast is presented by the Music Information Centre Lithuania, supported by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania.
Listen: Composers On Air.
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Lithuanian Cold Beetroot Soup for a Hot American Summer Day
While Barbie movie mania has swept the world and turned it hot pink, Lithuania has something even better to offer.
"Move over, Hollywood! Meet the ultimate A-lister in Vilnius: šaltibarščiai, our cold pink soup sensation! It's the star of every meal, with a fanbase that's SOUPer dedicated. Trust us, this Barbie has got the recipe for stardom, and it's cooler than any red carpet affair!" – Go Vilnius (The Official Business and Tourism Development Agency of the City of Vilnius) posted on social media recently.
Enjoy a refreshing bowl of Lithuanian Cold Beetroot Soup on a hot American summer day.
Image: Go Vilnius.
The recipe is here:
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