Lithuanian Pavilion at Venice Biennale Echoes R.E.M. Music Video
The Lithuanian Pavilion at the 2019 Venice Biennale, curated by Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė, and Lina Lapelytė, features a performance titled "Sun & Sea (Marina)" that depicts a beach scene with performers singing about mundane problems. The work draws visual parallels to the 2001 music video for R.E.M.'s "Imitation of Life," directed by Garth Jennings, which uses a pan-and-scan technique to create a looping, voyeuristic view of a pool party. Both pieces share an overhead perspective, a sense of suspended time, and an imitation of everyday life. The pavilion is located at the former barracks of the Castello district. The article, written by Mariagrazia Pontorno for Artribune, explores the citation and the shared aesthetic of observing life from above.
Key facts
- Lithuanian Pavilion at 2019 Venice Biennale features performance 'Sun & Sea (Marina)'
- Artists: Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė, Vaiva Grainytė, Lina Lapelytė
- Performance shows a beach scene with performers singing about trivial problems
- Work visually references R.E.M. music video 'Imitation of Life' (2001)
- Music video directed by Garth Jennings uses pan-and-scan technique
- Video depicts a pool party in Los Angeles with a looping 20-second sequence
- Pavilion located at ex-barracks in Castello district
- Article by Mariagrazia Pontorno on Artribune
Entities
Artists
- Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė
- Vaiva Grainytė
- Lina Lapelytė
- Garth Jennings
- Michael Stipe
- Mariagrazia Pontorno
Institutions
- Artribune
- Venice Biennale
- Lithuanian Pavilion
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Castello
- Los Angeles
- West Coast