Ignatavičius Domas
I am interested in exploring the world of things—seeking to understand what a thing is, whether its functions can be truly known, and where the boundary lies between a thing and an object. Things—devices—ingrained in everyday life become invisible. Their selection is often guided by color or utility, yet over time they seem to vanish, blending into the background of our surroundings. Mass-produced objects often reveal two sides: a representational one, by which they are recognized, and another—rarely seen—facing the floor, the wall, or the ceiling. It is on this hidden side that their functional essence is revealed: wires, legs, ventilation openings. I am drawn to these invisible yet essential aspects of objects—quietly existing within our environment.
Domas Ignatavičius
Domas Ignatavičius’s works foreground not only the tensions between humans and machines explored by twentieth-century philosophers, but also contemporary debates surrounding smart technologies and artificial intelligence. His artistic practice may be interpreted, for instance, through the lens of Gilbert Simondon. In his 1958 book On the Mode of Existence of Technical Objects, Simondon proposed a new version of the philosophy of technology, articulating the specific conditions of the technological civilization of his time. One of his central theoretical concepts was the attempt to reconcile technology with culture. Ignatavičius’s works can also be seen as visual illustrations of speculative realism, particularly in relation to the theories of Graham Harman.
Text by art historian and curator Aistė Kisarauskaitė.