Discussion 'The Visualization of History in Photography'

How can we use photography to reflect war, genocide, violence, and loss without becoming just another reportage or eyewitness account, but rather raise questions? Today, we agree that the photography is an interpretation of reality. For an artist, photography is a convenient tool for exploring the complexities of historical memory. Are visuals related to interpretations of traumatic memory limited by historical concepts and constructs? What questions of historical truth does the author have to address when delving into the mysteries of collective memory? Photographers Claudia Heinermann (Netherlands/Germany), Georgs Avetisjans (Latvia), and Tadas Kazakevičius (Lithuania) will discuss these issues at the public talk, which will be moderated by photography researcher Agnė Narušytė.

Claudia Heinermann (b. 1967) is a photographer who focuses her work on long-term documentary projects and contemporary historical issues such as genocide and the aftermath of war. She has carried out photographic historical projects in Bosnia, Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belgium, Germany, and Rwanda.

Georgs Avetisjans (b. 1985) is a Latvian photographer, visual storyteller, designer, and book publisher. The artist is interested in multi-layered, research-based narratives about contemporary issues, which are examined from a historical and ethnographic perspective, balancing between reality and fiction, as well as poetic, metaphorical, and authentic visual means in the field of documentary reality.

Tadas Kazakevičius (b. 1984) is a representative of Lithuanian documentary photography and a portraitist living in Vilnius. The author focuses mainly on and is interested in the humanistic direction - the main subject of his photographs is people and their stories. He is currently actively working on several large series dedicated to the themes of deportations to Siberia, industrial workers, and faith.

Agnė Narušytė (b. 1970) is an art critic, editor of cultural publications, TV program creator, commentator, exhibition curator, and photography historian.
The discussion will be held in English. The event is free of charge and does not require registration.

Organizer: LNMA National Gallery o Art

Initiator and coordinator: Ieva Mazūraitė-Novickienė

The project is funded by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania

Partners:  Goethe-Institut in Lithuania, The Netherlands Embassy to Lithuania

Photographing and/or filming may take place during the events. By participating, you agree that your image may be published for the purposes of promoting the activities of the LNMA and the NGA.

On Sunday, January 25, at 12:00 a.m., we invite you to join Claudia Heinermann on a tour of the exhibition 'Siberian Exiles. Baltic Testimonies of Soviet Repression'. The tour is free of charge and will be conducted in English.