Lithuanian Artist Deimantas Narkevičius on Memory, Monuments, and His 3D Film '20 July. 2015'

Lithuanian artist Deimantas Narkevičius discusses his practice and recent works in an interview with Artribune. His stereoscopic 3D film '20 July. 2015', presented at the Auditorium in Rome as part of the Flux Festival Lituano delle Arti, documents the dismantling of a post-war Soviet monument on the Green Bridge in Vilnius. The film explores themes of collective memory, ideology, and the politics of public sculpture. Narkevičius contrasts the indifference of passersby with the ritualistic applause of his cameraman used to synchronize two cameras, creating a discordant element. The installation features a curved wall that references modernist cinema architecture and Renzo Piano's Auditorium dome. He also won the Grand Prize of the City of Oberhausen for his work 'Stains and Scratches' (2017), described as a unique exploration of cinematic experience. Narkevičius reflects on the contemporary short film format, noting its dynamic evolution and freedom compared to traditional cinema. He describes the Lithuanian art scene as modest but innovative, with strong institutional support and a challenge for international integration. The Flux Festival, curated by Julia Reklaité and the Lithuanian Culture Institute, spanned two weeks in Rome, featuring sound art, video, photography, and performance, including works by Justė Janulytė, Jonas Mekas, Lina Lapelytė, and others.