Before Sunrise
Interview with Algis Griškevičius, September 2021
EP: We have your painting Before Sunrise in the collection of the European Parliament. Although the title of the painting refers to a part of the day, it is the subject of the painting itself that is more emotionally powerful - an abandoned carnival ride. It evokes a bygone glory, nostalgia, and at the same time, the scene is mysterious and stimulates the viewer's imagination. What is the real background of the painting? Is it a specific place? Or is it an allegory of an event? How was the painting created?
ALGIS GRIŠKEVIČIUS: The motive of abandoned funfair carousel in the line of my work reappears frequently. For me it speaks of allegory and ambiguity. The carousel itself, one may think, should be evoking jolly memories however it's neglect state and dramatic lighting creates a paradox mixed with tension and anticipation of a possible menace. The title "Before Sunrise" described not only a concrete time but also a metaphysical state, when one senses as if the time has stopped for a moment. The absolute silence of nature just before the sunrise strengthens that feeling. Like so this contradiction of silence in the air and reminiscent sense of the past joys gives a meaning to the narration of my paintings.
EP: On your website there are black and white photographs with similar abandoned places. Are they the same places?
ALGIS GRIŠKEVIČIUS: While collecting of material that serves as inspiration for my paintings I am making a lot of photographs and sketches. Later on in the studio plots of some photographs turn into paintings with a new added atmosphere and my own interpretations. This does not however eliminate the value of the photographs themselves.
EP: In addition to painting, you also create objects and take photographs. I was intrigued that gesture, ritual, mystery and imagination play a big role in your photographs. They seem to be a record of a mysterious ceremony. Where do you get your inspiration?
ALGIS GRIŠKEVIČIUS: The photographs which are not for the use of my painting process are made in a different way. They start as an idea in my head and are being carefully staged and directed afterwards. It involves sketching, making props and sometimes coming up with engineering solutions. Only after this lengthy thought process, the shooting takes place. I may claim that creator’s fantasy is the main tool here and the rest is merely an execution.
EP: Actually, there are often surrealist elements in your work. Is this an escape from reality for you?
ALGIS GRIŠKEVIČIUS: If I am not mistaken, B. Brecht has once said that an artist is not a mirror reflecting the reality, but a sledgehammer, which gives it a form. In order to create my own reality I juxtapose many different art movements, I take elements from naive art and surrealism especially.
EP: How do you actually assess the state of Lithuania and society after 30 years of independence? Are you more or less satisfied or are you more critical.
ALGIS GRIŠKEVIČIUS: Lithuanian society as in many other post-soviet countries is very variegated - some have adjusted to the waves of western world sooner and easier than others. Artists in my opinion should be always curious, follow the newest trends and advances not only in art and stay quite critical of the government. However difficult at times the independence years have been I cannot even compare them to the times of occupation and suppression of Soviet Union. These things are simply incomparable.
From the same artist
More artists from the following country:
Lithuania
Before Sunrise
Algis GRIŠKEVIČIUSClick on the coloured dots and discover the european historical context
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1998
Belfast Agreement
The signing of the ‘Good Friday’ or ‘Belfast Agreement’ between the Irish and the British governments led to the end of 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland.
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1999
1999 European elections
Voters from 15 EU countries go to the polls to elect 626 MEPs. The centre-right EPP-ED becomes the largest political group for the first time.
Nicole Fontaine
Nicole Fontaine served as President of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2002.
EURO
The euro was introduced to world financial markets as an accounting currency on 1 January 1999, replacing the former European Currency Unit (ECU).
Amsterdam Treaty
The Amsterdam treaty simplifies and broadens the application of the codecision lawmaking procedure. Parliament gets the right to approve the Commission president.
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2000
Charter of Fundamental Rights
The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU is solemnly proclaimed after having been drafted by a European convention with the active involvement of MEPs.
Article 13.
Freedom of the arts and sciences. The arts and scientific research shall be free of constraint. Academic freedom shall be respected.Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000/C 364/01)
Acquisition programme
3rd round of acquisitions with Austria, Finland and Sweden.
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2001
National parliaments exhibiton in Brussels and Strasbourg. This exhibition was created at the initiative of President Gil Robles and was officially opened on 17 December 2001 by the then President Nicole Fontaine. It consists of works of art donated or loaned by 15 national parliaments.
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2002
Pat Cox
Pat Cox served as President of the European Parliament from 2002 to 2004.
Euro is launched
Euro notes and coins come into circulation – a crucial stage in the construction of an economic and monetary union in Europe.
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2003
Treaty of Nice
The Treaty of Nice reforms EU institutions to allow for the EU enlargement to Eastern Europe. It further extends the application of codecision.
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2004
2004 European elections
Elections for the European parliament take place in 25 member states. The centre-right EPP-ED win 37% of the 736 seats.
Josep Borrell
Josep Borrell served as President of the European Parliament from 2004 to 2007.
Eastern enlargement
Ten countries, mostly from Eastern Europe, join the EU in the largest enlargement so far: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
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2007
Hans-Gert Pöttering
Hans-Gert Pöttering served as President of the European Parliament from 2007 to 2009.
Acquisition programme
Acquisition programme of works of art from Cyprus, Czechia and Estonia following the Bureau decision from 13 December 2006
Enlargement: Bulgaria, Romania
Bulgaria and Romania join the EU.
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2008
Acquisition programme of works of art from Hungary and Latvia following the Bureau decision from 13 December 2006.
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2009
2009 European elections
In the seventh European elections voters from 27 countries elect 736 MEPs. The centre-right EPP retains its majority, taking about 36% of the seats, followed by the Socialists and Democrats with 25% and Liberals with 11%.
Jerzy Buzek
Jerzy Buzek served as President of the European Parliament from 2009 to 2012.
Acquisition programme
Acquisition programme of works of art from Poland and Lithuania following the Bureau decision from 13 December 2006
Lisbon Treaty
The Treaty of Lisbon completes the institutional reform of the EU and makes the Charter of Fundamental rights legally binding. The Parliament is put on an equal decision-making footing with EU governments in all but a few legal areas.
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2010
Acquisition programme of works of art from Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta following the Bureau decision from 13 December 2006
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2011
Acquisition programme
Acquisition programme of works of art from Bulgaria and Romania following the Bureau decision from 13 December 2006
(…) artistic trades constitute one of the pillars on which our cultural heritage and our economy rest (…) their continuity must therefore be safeguarded by means of appropriate mechanisms for passing on knowledge and skills, as emphasised in Parliament’s resolution of 10 April 2008 on cultural industries in Europe (…)
European Parliament resolution of 12 May 2011 on unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries (2010/2156(INI))
Establishment of a temporary rotating exhibition to mark rotating EU presidencies, starting from January 2011 (…)
The exhibition would be organised by a rotating system following the changing of the EU presidencies. Every six months, the Artistic Committee would decide on a selection of 8 to 10 works of art from the Member State concerned(…) GEDA D (2010) 41679
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2012
Martin Schulz
Martin Schulz served as President of the European Parliament from 2012 to 2017.
Art@Europarl
The Art@Europarl exhibition presents a small selection of 27 works, mostly paintings, by artists from 27 EU countries at the Parlamentarium, the Parliament’s visitors center. It’s the first time that the general public has direct access to part of the collection.
The European Union gets Nobel Peace Prize
The EU is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo for the contribution of Europeans to peace and reconciliation.
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2013
Acquisition programme
Acquisition programme of works of art from Croatia following the Bureau decision from 13 December 2006.
Enlargement Croatia
Croatia becomes the 28th member of the EU and newly-elected Croatian MEPs take their seats in the European Parliament.
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2014
2014 European elections
The eighth European elections take place in 28 EU countries. The European People’s Party (EPP) retains the largest political group in Parliament, but new parties gain influence. Turnout remains largely at 2009 level.
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2016
Brexit referendum
UK voters decide to support leaving the European Union in a closely-fought referendum called by UK Prime Minister David Cameron. The outcome of the referendum triggers the resignation of Cameron. His successor Theresa May pledges to take the UK out of the EU and initiates the process on 29 March 2017.
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2017
Antonio Tajani
Antonio Tajani served as President of the European Parliament from 2017 to 2019.