Lithuanian Foundation’s Memorable Evening of Culture and Art
On the first Saturday of November 2023, the Foundation surprised everyone with an extraordinary event – an evening of culture and art in an authentic, renovated cultural venue in a former factory in Chicago.
Surprises began at the entrance door. Accompanied by an operator, guests took a 100-year-old freight elevator to the Mana Contemporary Gallery on the 5th floor. Ieva Dilytė, member of the LF Executive Committee, opened the evening. LF Board of Directors Chairman Tauras Bublys gave a welcoming speech. Ysabel Pinyol Blasi, Executive Director and curator of the Minor Foundation, briefly presented the exhibition ”Jonas Mekas Open Archives”, which has been open for almost a year, dedicated to Jonas Mekas (1924-2019), a Lithuanian-born American filmmaker, artist, curator, and the godfather of the American avant-garde cinema.
The artist’s son, Sebastian Mekas, and LF Executive Committee President Audronė Pavilčius-Karalius thanked all Committee members and administrative staff who contributed to the organization of this event and invited all the guests to view the exhibition.
Participants could also see the film “Out-Takes from the Life of a Happy Man” by J. Mekas, while in the foyer, the footage of his return to Lithuania in 1971 and 1977 was shown on a loop.
A silent auction during the evening attracted interest. Congratulations to Rimantė Gurevičė, who bought a piece by J. Mekas “Good Mood. Good Mood”. The playful Chicago poetesses Coelti and Lisa Marie added to the charm of the evening by composing poems on guests’ request. The poetesses dedicated one of their poems to the Lithuanian Foundation, which they read aloud to the audience.
At the end of the evening, Sebastian Mekas donated four volumes of Jonas Mekas’ writings to the Lithuanian Foundation: Poezija (Volume I), Proza (Volume II), Scenarijai ir pjesė (Volume III), and Spirgai (Volume IV).
Guests did not part for a long time. Over a glass of wine, delicious snacks prepared by “Kunigaikščių užeiga”, and the music of DJ Mantas Steles, they chatted extensively, shared their impressions of the evening, and thanked the Lithuanian Foundation for the idea of organizing this unusual event.
The Lithuanian Foundation is happy that the new idea brought together many guests and would like to thank them for supporting the Lithuanian Foundation!
LF information
Photo: Nijole Shuberg
