Within the bell tower of the Vilnius Cathedral – a 10-meter-high work by Ž.Kempinas, his co-author is the wind | Tradition

This work, spectacular in its dimension, location, sound and visuals, is meant to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the belfry’s opening to the general public. Furthermore, that is the primary time {that a} work of latest artwork is offered on this historic constructing in Vilnius.

The alien, weaving a dialogue with the bell tower

A 12 months in the past, on the invitation of an acquaintance, Ž. Kempinas visited the bell tower for the primary time. In line with him, though he spent nearly ten years in Vilnius and handed by this constructing many instances, he had by no means been inside.

Just a few weeks following that go to, he obtained a suggestion from the group on the Ecclesiastical Heritage Museum to create an set up piece of artwork there. “I might not refuse such a suggestion, as a result of this place is exclusive, and dealing in such an area is extraordinarily fascinating,” mentioned the artist.

Evgenios Levin’s photograph/Žilvinos Kempin’s set up work on the set up “Vejalaikis”.

“These picket buildings are a whole mess. When climbing the steps, it’s tough to understand who’s the place. So I wanted to discover a resolution to create one thing integral and monumental on this house. It was additionally necessary that this new work wouldn’t block something, however, quite the opposite, spotlight what’s right here, and the structure of the belfry would assist the work itself to disclose itself higher”, mentioned Ž. Kempinas.

The artist, who has been working with a singular materials – magnetic tapes for a few years, used them in his newest work as properly.

In line with him, though the work within the belfry appears international in its materiality, this distinction creates further meanings and a chance to mirror on concepts akin to time, eternity or temporality.

Photograph by Greta Skaraitiene/BNS/Artist Žilvinas Kempinas and his set up within the cathedral bell tower

“The foundations of the bell tower date once more to the thirteenth century, and magnetic tapes are a cultural attribute of my era, whose data lasts solely a second. These concepts, in addition to the monumental structure of the tower and the ribbons blowing within the wind, begin speaking to one another”, mentioned Ž. Kempinas.

The construction of the bell tower lets you view this work from totally different views – by means of the glass “properly” it may be seen from under, as should you had been contained in the “Vejalaikis”. In the meantime, going up the steps, its monumentality unfolds in concord with the picket parts of the constructing, the sunshine falling by means of the home windows.

Nevertheless, it’s doable to expertise this work not solely visually, as a result of when the wind blows and the strips contact one another, a sound just like rustling happens.

In line with the artist, though the belfry is historically inseparable from bells, the sound of plastic flapping within the wind is an indication of modernity within the coronary heart of the outdated metropolis. “These partitions have by no means heard such a sound,” joked the artist.

Evgenios Levin’s photograph/Žilvinos Kempin’s set up work on the set up “Vejalaikis”.

“Vejalaikis” can also be regarding temporality

In line with Ž.Kempinas, the wind is the co-author of this work, so it’s no coincidence that the work itself is known as “Vejalaikiu”, combining the 2 phrases “wind” and “time”.

“After I first climbed right here, I knew there can be wind right here, however I actually did not count on it to be a lot,” mentioned the artist, presenting his accomplished work on the bell tower.

In line with him, the work course of itself was extraordinarily tough, as a result of for 3 days whereas the magnetic tapes had been being put in, a really sturdy wind blew by means of the home windows of the bell tower. Not solely that, all the pieces inside was moist when the fog began.

“The wind flows listed below are fairly totally different from what occurs on the road. Because the bell tower stands on the fringe of the sq. and rises above the homes, the gusts listed below are generally so nice that it appears that evidently nobody can stand up to them. Nevertheless, that is precisely what creates the flickering of the tapes and the sound,” mentioned Ž. Kempinas.

Evgenios Levin’s photograph/Žilvinos Kempin’s set up work on the set up “Vejalaikis”.

In line with the artist, whereas working on this wind-swept tower, one other that means of the title of the work was unexpectedly revealed to him – temporality.

“How lengthy these strips will final will rely upon the wind,” mentioned the artist.

“It’s doable that following somewhat publicity to wind, rain and chilly, these strips will begin to crack. Nevertheless, I don’t see a tragedy on this – the set up is basically a short lived work. Will probably be fascinating to see how the work will change over time”, mentioned Ž. Kempinas, noting that this work consists of 701 strips, which is a symbolic reference to the Vilnius 12 months.

The time of eternity

The artist admitted that in a lot of his works he displays on time in varied kinds, and this matter has him because the first efficiency along with the director Oskar Koršunov “Hey Sonia, New 12 months”.

Within the scenography of this efficiency, he used a clock face wherein the numbers had been scattered in dysfunction.

In the meantime, the artist put in a duplicate of a 1.6-meter-diameter bell dial with out palms on the highest of “Vėjalaikis”. As an alternative of them – one of many “Electrical Stars” he created earlier.

Photograph by Greta Skaraitiene/BNS/Artist Žilvinas Kempinas and his set up within the cathedral bell tower

In line with Ž. Kempin, this work shouldn’t be a clock within the true sense of the phrase, however its entirety, the properties of the supplies, even the bodily sensation have connections with time and its each day expertise.

“I do many issues based mostly on instinct, so the meanings of actions reveal themselves to me throughout creation. Why this “clock” with out palms – I didn’t know. Nevertheless, as of late I needed to attend the funeral of my scholar’s mom, and it grew to become a kind of pointer for me. Now I perceive that this can be a reference to eternity – a time wherein there isn’t a longer the illusory division of time into seconds, minutes and hours,” mentioned the artist.

Photograph by Greta Skaraitiene/BNS/Artist Žilvinas Kempinas and his set up within the cathedral bell tower

In line with him, the wind breathes life into this work, however it might probably additionally destroy it.

“That is why this work is sort of a dwelling being for me, which has its personal life and can undoubtedly have its personal demise as properly. By the way in which, similar to all of us who will finally be “caught” by gravity,” mentioned the artist.

In line with the plan, this set up must be exhibited till the start of October, however Ž. Kempinas himself says that he doesn’t count on that it’s going to “survive” that lengthy. In line with him, this temporality can also be the most effective pointer to eternity.

Photograph by Greta Skaraitiene/BNS/Artist Žilvinas Kempinas and his set up within the cathedral bell tower

Quickly, the artist plans to go to his native Plunge, the place the World Žemaitian Artwork Exhibition will start on June 22. Ž. Kempinas plans to current his set up “Tūba” right here, with which he participated within the Venice Artwork Biennale in 2009.

This work shall be proven in Lithuania for the primary time.

“To create this work, distinctive circumstances are required – a sure size and top of the room, mild and place of the door. After I went to Plunge, I discovered simply such a room within the steady. Within the 40-meter-long corridor, the viewers will have the ability to go by means of the 30-meter-long “Tūba”, which, like “Vejalaikis”, is fabricated from magnetic tape”, mentioned Ž. Kempinas.