“Microsuccession” by Milda Laužikaitė, winner of LIAA 2021 prize

2021-12-27

To mark the end of the year 2021, the Lithuanian Interdisciplinary Artists’ Association (LIAA) presents two new artworks, created by annual LTMKS Prize winners. The second presented work is Milda Laužikaitė’s piece ‘Microsuccession’, created in collaboration with Pranas Gudaitis.

Grazing in forests is forbidden by the laws of Republic of Lithuania. In an attempt to preserve and count every cubic metre of timber, livestock farms and forest farms are separated, the participation of wild herbivores in the life of the forest is also viewed negatively, while the laws of nature, which are older than man, on the contrary do not criminalise grazing, but are instead closely linked to it. Ecological succession – the regular change in the biotope of a natural system, when some species prevail, while others are displaced and disappear – is an important condition for biodiversity to flourish. Succession is determined by a range of phenomena that creates by disrupting and destructing.

Microsuccession – a play on words – micro/small success. A short break from the strict human control of nature, where winds, fires, landslides, torrential rains, windfalls and blizzards are forbidden. Field recordings were made in a human-controlled forest area, where visiting is forbidden – Grobstas Nature Reserve, bordered by the Lithuanian-Russian border, lagoon and sea, as sheep are herded from one meadow to another. The stretch of forest between the legally regulated pastures ends up in the sheep’s mouths and stomachs, thus returning to the familiar coexistence of sheep and forest.

Milda and Pranas took part in the Shepherds’ Residency at the Nida Art Colony in 2021.

‘Microsuccession’ is a piece within an artistic project by Laura Garbštienė to bring sheep on holidays to the seaside.

“Microsuccession” was premierred via Rasų Radijas on 2 December 2021. Link: https://rasuradijas.lt/microsuccession/

Milda Laužikaitė & Pranas Gudaitis. “Microsuccession”. 2021. Duration 17:32, vinyl.

Milda Laužikaitė lives and works between Vilnius and the village of Margionys in the Varėna district. Live improvisation is crucial to Milda’s performances and installations, as well as to her musical work. A coherent plan would be something frightening that would stop her spontaneous creative processes. This is probably why her works are usually created in collaboration with people, animals, plants or rivers – something that is constantly moving. (Eglė Mikalajūnė).

 

In 2021, for the second year in a row, LIAA organised a competition for the production of new work for LIAA members, the winners of which this year were Alina Melnikova and Milda Laužikaitė. The LIAA Prize is an important contribution to members’ creative practices, helping them to realise their ongoing projects, exhibitions, works in progress, or encouraging the initiative of new works and exhibitions. The winners of the LIAA Prize were selected by the Council of the association.

Organised by the Lithuanian Interdisciplinary Artists’ Association. Activities of LIAA are financed by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and Vilnius City Municipality. Information partner – 15min.