ŠVENTIEJI PO SAULĖMIS... JŲ „BROMOS“ IR „VIEČNASTYS“ (Saints under suns... Their „Gateways“ and „Eternities“)
Brass miniatures and paintings
2021 04 01 – 06 30
Videniškiai Monastery Museum, Šilelio str. 6, Videniškiai
867135291, Vaida Sakolnikienė, Videniškiai Monastery Museum
Videniškiai Monastery Museum contains newly interpreted sacral texts and subtexts of traditional Lithuanian circle-figures and saints. A space that remembers the spirit of Blessed Mykolas Giedraitis, where a famous book “Broma, atverta ing viečnastį” (Gateway to eternity) (1753) by Mykolas Olševskis was written, is waiting for the works of artists Mantas and Vytenis Mikulevičius, who are trying to open new “gateways” to other “eternities”. Both authors - father and son - represent the creative Mikulevičius family of artists - sculptors, painters, jewelers, and theater personalities.
Mantas Mikulevičius (b. 1973) is an artist working with metal and wood, a member of the Folk Artists' Union, an organizer of artistic-patriotic initiatives in Kaunas and also a photographer. He has organized a number of exhibitions in Lithuania, as well as in Berlin with his son. Authors works have traveled with him on pilgrimage trips, participated in St. Mass with the Pope. “For me, the sun is a symbol of beauty. Perfect in its form, pattern, symbols and energy. I see the sun as a symbol of success, as protection from evil.", - says M. Mikulevičius. Having acquired an almost hypnotic sacred glow, the miniatures of M. Mikulevičius actualize the wisdom of old traditions, again becoming a part of our being.
Vytenis Mikulevičius (b. 1996), graduating this year with a master's degree in painting at the Kaunas Faculty of the Vilnius Academy of Arts, has already managed to organize solo exhibitions in Kaunas, Berlin (with his father), New York and Los Angeles. Recently he started combining characters from video games and digital animation, the principles of Fan Art and Lithuanian ethnocultural and Christian spiritual heritage. "My Culture", the work being presented, depicts deities from one of his favorite video game series "Elder Scrolls", combined with the traditional depiction of saints typical to folk sculpture. Author also exhibits sketches and compositions, which reveal the studies of Lithuanian folk sculpture and other ethnographical motifs. Expressive, coloristic painting style of the author really stands out with its unforgettable emotional allure, power and light emanating from the works of monumental composition.
Art critic Violeta Krištopaitytė-Jocienė