Motivation spike and loop of possibilities. Sculpture

ART CRITIC ABOUT ... Antanas Zabielavičius - one of the most active representatives of the so-called „second generation“ of contemporary art in Lithuania, which appeared during the final decade of the 20th century. He became known as an artist and independent curator. In the context of his generation, which mainly used photo, video, and paint medias, Antanas‘ orientation shifted toward conceptualist „traditions“, using all possible art techniques, but strictly revolving around the „concept“. This stood in contrast to the majority of others in the same generation, whose works were dominated by a formal interdisciplinary approach in „media“. Antanas‘ popularity grew following the student art shows of the Vilnius Academy of Art in years 1998-2000. In one of the shows, the artist created an „interactive unit“, a kind of altar- which daily presented a new character associated with the academy (such as classmate Videika, the head of the painting department - Povilas Ričardas Vaitiekūnas, etc.). It displayed their photograph, biography, and locations where the person could be seen. The following year featured an exhibit of various clippings from daily newspapers to illustrate a senselessly absurd display of events from a typical day covered by the Lithuanian press. Zabielavičius was interested in Utopian ideas as well- such as raising millions by selling cigarette ashes to pharmacies (an installation was done on this subject). Another was construction of a special apparatus for making monotypes with human excrement. This consisted of a bi-level wooden outhouse with the occupant sitting in the top floor. A sheet of paper placed on the bottom floor caught the splash made by the falling excreta, creating an abstract pattern. A pane of glass for framing, and the artwork is complete! Also, starting in 1995 Zabielavičius curated several informal projects. In 1999, a student installation project jointly curated with Vladimir Tarasov. 2001-2002 saw the founding and directing of the alternative artspace "Maironis-3” in an abandoned printing plant where he organized young artists exhibitions from Lithuania and other countries. In 2004, following a conflict with the curators at Contemporary Art Center, Antanas decided to retire from active curatorial life. Currently, the primary Zabielavičius project exists both virtually and physically - AZacademia. This activity combines artistic creativity, various experiments, and education. Author: Kęstutis Šapoka.