10 Questions with Zita Vilutyte

Zita Vilutyte is an award-winning painter and printmaker based in Lithuania whose works have been featured in solo exhibitions nationally and internationally. Zita is the president of the International Association and Foundation IAF ANIMA MUNDI. In 2021 together with her colleagues, she established ANIMA MUNDI ACADEMIA – the platform for innovations, education, arts, science, and business. The same year she started to produce the ANIMA MUNDI ACADEMIA Art Magazine. Her creative activities include holistic art, interdisciplinary art - painting, graphics, music, poetry, movement theater, photography, video art. In 2004, Zita Vilutyte started work at the Holistic Movement Theater "S." The theatre was established in 1990. It has expanded from movement performances and music production to interdisciplinary educational projects and various other events in Lithuania and abroad. In 2007 was nominated and awarded at the World Festival of Modern Dance in Mumbai (India) for international relations and cultural dissemination. Zita is the Curator of international exhibitions in Lithuania and abroad. Since 2006 she became a member of the ambient music association, Ambient Music Garden (UK), and released 17 music albums, music for documentaries, and plays.

Saatchiart profile | @zitavilutyteart

“We are going through a very exciting, broad, and fundamental time of transformation, where everything is changing, from lifestyle to technology. Although it is a time of great opportunities, it is still full of dangers. Now is the moment to make decisions and become responsible for our own lives. And not just for our own, but for our Life in general.

For thoughts, words, every action, and everything we do. To think that changes in the consciousness of all humankind will be easy and fast is a utopia. But those who realize - they must act.
Where is the artist's place in this period of change?

Being an artist in today's world requires a lot of effort. Not only must the artist create an original expression, but they must also be able to share what has already been created. Unfortunately, a constant threat to the artist's authenticity is commercialism. This consumerist society can easily defeat the artist's spiritual growth and blur the boundary between true live art and dead, stagnant art.
I live in a particular country that, after the collapse of communism, has transformed itself into an era of extinguishing capitalism, torn by crises and fierce competition for production and consumption. The old period has left us with a degraded environment and a sclerotic political culture enslaved by prejudices and interests. Nevertheless, this new period offers great opportunities. Everything changes, today becomes history tomorrow, and our time is now.” - Z.Vilutyte

INTERVIEW

Please describe the intention behind your art. How do you successfully express this intention?

Well, what is the intention? True things are always simple, and in real I never think what my art's intention is. Some things are coming from within, and if you are born with this desire for creation, you will never stop doing this. It does not depend on how many universities you finished, what art formation you have got, or not. The intention comes from within naturally without thinking. Like all other true things, it comes from profound inner instincts. The impulses for art are coming from the same source. It is life. Art reflects life as it is when you don't overthink, just follow your instincts, when you choose to experience the reality of constant change and hence, adaptation to it. In this situation of nowadays life where chaos and mass manipulation seem to reign, should be someplace where to step and to feel, that in real, all this chaos is just one more illusion, and to decay in a search for your own happiness is not the way for to be here, I want to search for my own mission in this life: what I am and what I do here? So, it is very important to search for creative impulses to perceive them and see their reflections inside yourself, look for the sources and depth inside yourself, and understand that you are a Creator. Then, turn back to the true cause of spiritual experience, turning the art back to its sources, when it was used as the means for the expression of the life mysteries. Also, to experience the greatest mystery in the world - to disclose: who we are. Then, connect with reality, reflect, and allow the spectator to see him/herself in different strata, as deep as they can dive. As each human instinctively is searching for his/her reflection in this life, in another person or art, art intends to show as much and as deep as I as the creator can reach, touch, and experience permanent love with life.

Can you talk a little about your formative years as an artist?

I studied at KTU University, but it was a short period of my life. Art formation I got at Siauliai University, and music in Siauliai High Music College. I do not think that the studies are so important. All that you want is possible to learn in different ways. The most important thing is this, what happens with a human in early childhood when you feel your roots and which direction you must grow. I was born in a strange time and period of history at the border when the old-world left and started a new reality. These experiences allow me to understand things deeper because this knowledge came not from books but real experiences. When the world is fastly changing, I am open to new things, learning more, and experiencing what is waiting for me now.

There's a lot of painting work on the market these days. How do you differentiate yours from the rest? In other words, what do you feel makes your piece unique and truly your own?

The picture always will find its owner or space where it should be. I don't know when and how it's just like a part of life movement. I prefer just to listen to life and situations that are coming to me. And what makes my works unique? Each person is unique, but the question is how brave you are for being yourself in this cruel life. I think I am brave enough because I've chosen the way I live my life. They brought me to deep strata of my soul and heart. I discover many things, as many people in this life do the same. Still, conscious or not, it is another question, so I prefer to dive deeply, till the limit, and go as far as the border is and to feel the moment when the line in between two realities breathes to my face and cross it with all the power.

The way how I express the colors I think is unique. I believe that the links of synesthesia in my brain allow me to do many things simply. I can hear color as sound or vibration. Physically it comes through my forearms skin, it is my third ear I can say (some time ago I did music CD with such title 'Third Ear'), I can work with color how I feel it at this moment in this way, and my feelings are like a paper of litmus, I can feel the same thing from different points of view. I do not do any sketching, but I observe a lot, real objects, photography. I also work with photography because my eyes see different, it erases some things, but the view becomes clearer. When I start painting, my works are coming very spontaneously; of course, I do big work in my brain before this explosion. So this vibration in colors can feel the spectator also. In the last few years, I started work with big size, and this also I feel comes very good, as I always dreamed of working with a big format, but I had to come slowly. Now I feel free myself in the canvas's big spaces, and I feel I can and want to extend them more. Just there are some problems - I need a studio with bigger and wider doors :) and big expo spaces.

Also, the patterns which I use in my creation are very important. The patterns are the results of long contemplation inside me in different layers of thinking and feeling. The gnostic process and researching allow it to recount the reality of the Universe by perceiving the reality of certain concepts and the full reality and existence in reality. These concepts or signs seem to shape the world and transform it because, as I can say, pragmatic things are identical to the realism of the universes. The role of the narrator and the narrator's relationship to the told story, which unfolded through the sign or sign system, is revealed. I use codes that open up a lot of things to the viewer.

When I finish the cycle of my exhibition works, I always experience it as a mysterious moment. After the exhibition, everything seems to start to come to life in reality. Those exhibitions begin to come true in real life. Now I work on my new circle of paintings. But what is interesting is that I feel I finished one circle of my works and started a new one, but I didn't do an exhibition till now; it seems these circles are connected, so we will see what will happen. This year is very intensive and creative. I do a lot of new works and go through big challenges in my life.

What do you hope that the public takes away from your work?

It depends on the spectator, what he/she seeks in his life when meets art. But I always think the first thing in my picture what viewers can catch - is the sign. The sign is not a simple object. The sign is not some equivalent that can be revealed and completed. This can happen during narration. I invite the viewer to join this stream and explore the relationship between the sign, its properties, and the narrative. This allows each observer to create or reshape their concept of truth while remaining in the flow. This frees the truth from the established order that hinders the movement. 

Semiotic space has its own contradiction as if it were a space of conflicting heterogeneous views, an unfamiliar labyrinth into which the soul descends. Probably every viewer chooses his own path, but that belongs to this labyrinth, depending on what his nature is… This journey to art exploring is always full of blessings. If the spectator continues asking himself his personal question with strength, he always can find the answer in art and always find the things in a important light. Sometimes artwork catches the sight for a second, but it means there is some important message for you.

Could you tell our readers about your creative process?

Yes, I can, or maybe I cant.. this is a big mystery and always another story. Each action arises from the need to look for the answers to the questions and the endless desire to reveal the greatest secrets of life, which are hiding in each of us. A spectator and a creator are inseparable parts of such a creative process, participants of the process experiencing transformation in its course. Metaphors are the components of this process. It describes without any explanation, just repeating life from the unknown and always new spaces, which in interaction draw the only and unique image. 

Metaphors are our experience. We perceive the environment through the interchange of information, events, and energy. With the help of metaphor, we can join the known and the unknown, come nearer to the inexhaustible potentiality of creation, and feel the Universeuniverse's laws and harmony in the creation process. When the creator becomes a part of the process, he changes in accordance with the laws of the Universe. In the endless dance of vibrations and colors, the interacting elements join into the undivided volatile whole.  

Despite the context in which creation exists, our consciousness can join it with something not experienced. This is a synergetic process during which the intuition creates new combinations and metaforms - ideas, conceptions, objects, notions and processes thanks to which a new way of solution is found. If something is lost in the form, it can be found in the process. The process is a movement; it is a creative course to the new quality forming some more subtle and perfect ones.

What do you believe is a key element in creating a good painting? 

I don't believe in key elements. I believe in the unit of all aspects. In my creative process is very important the holistic approach. Holistic impulses of creation are natural impulses of humanity to understand itself and its place in the Universe. It doesn't need the name- it is simply happening as we come to understand the nature of things.

Holistic art expresses the things as directly as possible, the whole self and its relationship with all things, from the mundane to the sublime. The more we accept life in its wholeness, the more we realize the wholeness of self. And this is how the wholeness of self is revealed.

Wholeness is the same as undivided. The whole art is an art to which the artist gives conscious and undivided attention and the same engendering in the viewer.

By approaching art and all means of creative expression in this way, we are getting a powerful tool for pushing human development parameters to clarify our awareness of what our environment is all about. In this way, our knowledge has increased, and our use of the brain has grown more complex.

What do you wish you knew about painting before you got started?

In real, I wish nothing, but before painting, I already know some things from where the impulses are coming, but no more. Possible it is the beginning of the story, where I start. Then the most interesting part is coming - the process. It is not this time when I am painting. The process is very wide when I live the story of painting in all strata of life. No, I don't want to know anything. I want to discover it with a big thirst and passion. This is the most wonderful part of being pregnant with new artwork.

Do you think technology is harmful to fine art painters? Why?

No, I don't think it is harmful. Artist has free will to take or not the technologies. They can be harmful if the artist has no strong core and the essence with which he/she can fill the artwork. Technology can expand thinking and possibilities to talk in more different ways, and art is getting more languages to speak and be heard, seen, smelled, felt, tasted, imagined, understood. There are more possibilities to interact and intertwine with the spectator, with the thinking of other humans. We are living in a very interesting time. This year showed that many things are changing, and some of them never will come back. We have to leave old thinking and allow ourselves to navigate in new spaces of life and creation. They are just opening. We are coming to the reality of Terra Nova, and it is true.

What is your favorite genre of music to listen to while working?

I love very different types of music. From deep ambient and chill voices of Deuter, Stephan Micus, sometimes my own tracks, the poetry of L.Cohen, occasionally classical music or rock, hard rock, sometimes I need the power of Diamanda Galas. Music is a part of this dynamic and volatile life which I live every moment.

Do you have any upcoming shows or collaborations?

I would like to answer in general, because time is rippling and all the events and exhibitions come and go. There will definitely be a lot of them but I always listen to my essence - basso ostinato emanating from the depths, which really gives direction to all events.
We are currently going through very big changes, not just for each individual, but as a whole, humanity and the planet. Major changes are taking place and must take place in the consciousness of humanity and we are all here to contribute to the positivity of these changes. I think the role of artists today is becoming more significant than ever. By surviving and reflecting, creating and sharing, we each contribute to the creation of a new reality. What no longer works will inevitably collapse and it is those who do that destructive work. The goal of the artist is to merge with a harmonious essence and spread, create its frequencies.
And I want to say warm thank you to Al-Tiba9 for welcoming me here to your space.

ABOUT

PUBLICATIONS

Interviews and publications on art and culture on various portals in Lithuania, Italy, art works and articles in the almanac FAKfulness (Poland). The poetry is published on the US portal World Press Mag. and Indian literary magazines. 2020, interview and artworks publication in ‘Art Habens’.

PROJECTS

In 2016 the international association IAF ANIMA MUNDI was established. It is a platform of professionals and innovators from different countries in the fields of culture, art, science and education. The art, education and science research project ANIMA MUNDI is aimed at artists from around the world. Since 2016 president of this association.
Starting in 2018 the Association organizes the International Project of Social Practice ART and the International Biennial of Contemporary Art NO standART. IAF ANIMA MUNDI events never take place in the same spaces, they migrate in Lithuania and often move to other countries.
Preparations are under way for the establishment of an International Migrant Academy ANIMA MUNDI, bringing together cultural and scientific professionals from around the world. www.iaf-animamundi.com

EXHIBITIONS AND AWARDS

Over 50 solo and group exhibitions have been organized in Lithuania and abroad (Denmark, Italy, India, Netherlands, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Hungary, Portugal, Malta, etc.).
In 2011 the exhibition collection ATLAS OBSCURA has won a bronze award in the international competition organized by the Netherlands F.G.S. gallery. Later the works participated in the international exhibition of Scandinavian mythological art in Brondum, Denmark, Katrineholm Gallery, Kerteminde International Art Festival in Denmark.
In 2012 the OPENART project took place in Rome (Italy) at the prestigious Sale del Bramante Gallery, where the ATLAS OBSCURA collection was presented. In 2013 International Art Festival in Brondum, personal exhibition opened at Mimers Gallery (Denmark).

In 2015 the works were presented in the global artist almanac PEACE, which is published annually in Damascus (1200 pages). In 2015 and 2017 - OSTEN Drawing Biennial in Macedonia. In 2017- 18 International Contemporary Art Biennial in Malta APSMDINA BIENNAL, THE EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE Valetta.

In 2018 the film "Caerdroia" (directed by Z. Vilutytė, music by Z. Vilutytė, G. Dapkevičius) was screened at the International Vigilia International Earth Art Festival in Norway. In 2019 Honorary Artist Award at the International Biennial in Belgrade (Serbia), organized by the Belgrade Cultural and Artistic Association. In 2019 International Exhibition of Miniatures Art, Budapest DUAL Gallery, Hungary. Personal exhibition in Kaunas Business Park AUSRA, and SU Gallery ‘Terra Nova’, 2020 International World Artists Association (Marocco) project, International Art Exhibition ‘Quatantine’ (Turkey), ART3f fair in Monaco.

COLLECTIONS

Paintings and drawings are on display at the World Museum of Drawings in Macedonia, at the Mark K. Gregorovich Memorial Museum in Brudve, Montenegro and at the D. Kipiani Memorial Museum in Georgia. Most of art works went to private collections - in Portugal, Malta, India, UK, Sweden, Latvia, USA and others.