Category Archives: Folk Art

Folk Art.

Autodidactic Ingenuism

In 1995, Robert Bullock volunteered to help set up an art show for a non-profit organization that helped to provide creative outlets for people with histories of mental illness. After much research, he found a gallery that would agree to host the exhibit under one condition: everything had to be framed. As he collected the artwork from the people who wanted to participate, Bullock began to realize two things: 1) It would not be enough work to fill the gallery and, 2) None of it would be framed.

For the most part, he was dealing with people who had not been formally trained or significantly exposed to fine art. Most of them were living in small apartments on social security benefits. They didn’t have any money for art supplies or framing. And yet, Bullock thought that some of the work had a very unique and original quality to it. It wasn’t pretentious. It didn’t take itself too seriously.

He went to framing shops and asked for donations of discarded frames. He bought glass and mat board and made some of the molding from scratch using cheap wooden firring strips from Home Depot. He researched and contacted other community art programs in homeless shelters and mental health centers to find more artwork. By the time the show opened in May of 1995, Bullock was able to fill one of the largest galleries in Olde City with art from several different programs, only one of which was able to contribute a very small amount of money to help defray his personal costs. At the time, he was unemployed and living in a carriage house rent-free, in exchange for his agreement to work on the property.

The show was a success. In those days, first Friday openings in Olde City involved food, beer, wine, and live music – and this one was packed. The art was also inexpensive and accessible. The gradual emergence from the shadows of a thing called “Outsider Art” was reaching the collective consciousness. Even people, like Bullock himself, who had never even heard the term before, were searching for something raw and genuine — something not deliberately different or contrived, but essentially different, and deeply ingenuous.

The first use of the term “Outsider Art” was in a book by Roger Cardinal published 20 years earlier. It described art made by people from “outside” of the mainstream art community. People who had not gone to art school or college, but also who were not aware of all the trends in fine art as defined by academic tradition. Bullock, too, was a person who had never gone to art school. A person who had always enjoyed doodling, and had recently done a great deal more of it during a two and half year trek throughout Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Southeast Asia. He had decided, upon his return, to further explore his interest in art, but had no idea where to go with it. Most of the modern conceptual art confused him and left him feeling disconnected from his emotional instincts. Abstract impressionism seemed too limited and too “safe” in its’ deliberate rejection of representational content. Frankly, he didn’t know very much about any of it.

That first exhibit in 1995 established the foundation of an enduring passion for Bullock. In 1996, he chose the name Coalition Ingenu for his second group exhibit in Olde City, entitled “Philadelphia Self-Taught”. He continued to search art programs and seek out individual artists for the next 18 years, and gathered like-minded friends and volunteers to help with his efforts. Coalition Ingenu received non-profit status in 2001, but deliberately remained very small and true to the original concept. Its’ mission was to encourage exploration of the imagination and promote appreciation for the creative process independent of results. To cultivate self-esteem and confidence, generate motivation and passion, and encourage the use of creativity as a tool for the gradual healing of emotional and psychic wounds. To build a community of mutual support among self-taught and self-motivated artists precluded from formal training or significant exposure to fine art as defined by cultural bias. To establish an alternative to art built upon layers of academic tradition and affirm the value of inviolate creativity in all its’ many forms and expressions.

Over the next 18 years, the collective would assemble over 180 exhibits and display over 6000 pieces of art by hundreds of different artists from mental health centers, hospitals, prisons, senior centers, retirement communities, physical rehabilitation facilities, substance abuse programs, and homeless shelters. The would also discover, by word of mouth, many individuals who made art on their own, independent of any formal program.

In 1997, Coalition Ingenu had begun to conduct open studio art programs in various locations, but went beyond just providing the participants with something to do. They respected the work that was made in these programs, and considered it just as beautiful, inspirational, important and thought provoking as anybody else’s artwork. They believed that the extraordinary life circumstances experienced by each artist were a more direct and original source of inspiration than the exhaustive study of academic tradition. And they believed that artwork by lower income, less visible, and less formally educated people deserved equal opportunity to be displayed in mainstream art galleries by virtue of its’ validity as uniquely inviolate expressions of real-life people in an often difficult and disappointing world.

Bullock invested the past 18 years of his life in pursuit of this belief, and his wife supported him in doing this, even as the couple began to experience a long string of financial difficulties. For the most recent half of the its’ 18 year history, the Coalition Ingenu funding stream has grown increasingly dryer, while a 2004 layoff forced Bullock’s wife to eventually take a job making less than half as much money. But the exhibits only got better. As some of the members became better known and the group attracted new and more accomplished artists, and the collective adapted and evolved into a respected arts organization. Their growing reputation earned the attention of higher profile venues from New York NY to Pittsburgh PA — and as far south as Washington DC and Durham NC. But this is where it will end:

In less than two months, Bullock and his wife will be moving to Florida for family reasons. If resources permit, the Coalition Ingenu Self-taught Artists’ Collective will eventually resurrect and pick up where it will leave off when it departs Philadelphia this December. The groups’ final exhibit is, very appropriately, at the gallery within the visionary masterpiece of local artist Isaiah Zagar. The exhibit features nine of the groups most popular and renowned artists, and is entitled Autodidactic Ingenuism, which essentially means self-taught and without restraint.

The opening reception is this Friday, October 11 from 6 – 9 pm, at the Philadelphia Magic Gardens, 1020 South Street. It runs until Friday, Nov. 15.

Written by Robert Bullock, Coalition Ingenu

Lithuanian Festival 2013

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Lithuanian Embassy in the United States and the Lithuanian Honorary Consulate of Pennsylvania are pleased to announce a Lithuanian Festival of eventscelebrating the Lithuanian presidency of the Council of the European Union in the second half of 2013. In partnership with numerous Philadelphia organizations, fifteen events will give an unprecedented insight into Lithuania’s contemporary culture through its international award winners in art, design, jazz, photography, film, and cuisine; as well as world renowned scholars in politics, economics and history.

Lithuanian Ambassador to the U.S. Žygimantas Pavilionis noted, “Philadelphia has been kindly welcoming Lithuanians since the 19th century, and the current interest and enthusiasm is extraordinary. I am delighted that the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ is open to learning about our Baltic nation, and building bridges of insight and understanding in the world, celebrating that which is best in all people.”

This is the first Lithuanian Festival of this magnitude in Philadelphia, and is a keystone celebration of Lithuania’s EU presidency. All events are open to the public; for those events which require tickets or reservations, contacts are noted; events are listed below in chronologic order.

Living Foods Workshops

Location: Loreta’s Living Foods, 1291 Wisteria Dr., Malvern, PA. Time: Saturday, October 26, 2013, Noon-3 pm. Cost: $75 per person, reservations required, call 610-648.0241 or email lvainius@aol.com. See: www.loretaslivingfoods.com, www.livingann.com

The modern day living foods movement was founded by the late, Lithuanian born Ann Wigmore, who healed herself of cancer and countless others of myriad conditions by applying the Hippocratic maxim “Let food be your medicine.” Main Line resident Loreta Vainius studied with Ann Wigmore and many others, and is one of the foremost authorities today on the living foods lifestyle, which is growing in popularity all around the world. The medical and academic communities in Lithuania have embraced its concepts, constructed an Ann Wigmore memorial, and are integrating living foods into their research and commitment to creating the next paradigm of health care. At this workshop, participants will learn about organic raw, fermented and sprouted living foods, and learn how to sprout their own seeds at home, prepare energy soup, almond vegetable and herb pate, fruit “ice cream”, wheatgrass juice, and other healthy, revitalizing foods.

“Mugė” Lithuanian Community Fair

Location: Lithuanian Music Hall, 2715 East Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia Time: Saturday, November 2, Noon–9pm & Sunday, November 3, 2013, Noon–6pm Cost: Tickets can be purchased at the door, $5 adults and children under 12 free. See: www.lithuanianmha.org, for info call 215.739.4831

The annual “Mugė” Lithuanian Community Fair is organized by the Lithuanian American Community and features vendors selling handmade jewelry and ornaments, books, music and memorabilia; traditional Lithuanian savories and sweets including arguably the world’s best potato pancakes; Lithuanian folk and contemporary music, dancing, face-painting and games for children.

Lithuanian Inspired Dinner with Guest Chef Michael Laiskonis

Location: Sbraga, 440 S. Broad Street. Time: Wednesday, November 6; reservations accepted from 5pm–10pm. Cost: $75 per person for 5 course prix; reservations required, please call: 215.735.1913

Menu: Textures of Borscht Amuse Bouche; Herring with Smoked Potato, Pickled Parsnip and Carrot; Savory Lamb Dumpling “Cepelinai”; Roasted Duck with Chanterelle, Cabbage, and Fried Black Bread; Poppy Seed Beignet “Spurgos” with Huckleberry, Creme Fraiche Sorbet; Apple Confit with Rye Tuile, “Alus” Beer Ice Cream. See: www.sbraga.com, Facebook Michael Laiskonis.

Contemporary Lithuanian Photography Lecture by Eglė Deltuvaitė

Location: The Print Center, 1614 Latimer Street, Philadelphia. Time: Thursday, November 7, 6pm. Cost: Free and open to the public, but reservations can be made by contacting Eli VandenBerg at 215.735.6090 x1 or evandenberg@printcenter.org See: www.printcenter.org, www.photography.lt,

“Lithuanian Photography in the 20th & 21st Centuries”

Lithuania has a vibrant and flourishing photographic culture, which embodies the European sensibility of inclusiveness and experimentation. Contemporary Lithuanian photography reveals the influence of classic traditions that originated with the Lithuanian school of the 1960s, as well as elements of the “aesthetics of boredom” and social landscapes of the 1980s, to the recent hybrids of neo-conceptualism, documentary and staged photography.

Eglė Deltuvaitė is one of the foremost photography curators in Lithuania. In 2008, she received her Master’s Degree in UNESCO Cultural Management and Cultural Policy from Vilnius Art Academy in Lithuania. She has worked with the Union of Lithuanian Art Photographers and coordinated numerous international cultural programs. She is currently acting director of the International Cultural Programme Centre, and director of the non-profit organization for photography and publishing projects “Culture Menu”.

The Print Center, founded in 1915, supports printmaking and photography as vital contemporary arts through exhibitions and related educational programs, art sales and an award-winning public school arts education program. This is the first time this lecture on Lithuanian photography will be presented in the US.

An Evening of Lithuanian Fare with Michael Laiskonis

Location: COOK, 253 S. 20th Street, Philadelphia. Time: Thursday, November 7, 7pm. Cost: $145 per person (includes class, dinner and beverage pairings); reservations required and will be accepted online after October 4 at www.audreyclairecook.com or 215.735.COOK

Menu: Borscht, Traditional and “Deconstructed”; Herring with Smoked Potato, Pickled Parsnip and Carrot; Savory Lamb Dumpling “Cepelinai”; Poppy Seed Beignet “Spurgos” with Huckleberry, Crme Fraiche Sorbet. See: www.audreyclairecook.com, Facebook Michael Laiskonis

Michael Laiskonis is trained in classic culinary traditions and has won international accolades from Guide Michelin, the James Beard Foundation, Bon Appetit and the New York Times among some. Proudly, he also celebrates his Lithuanian heritage, having traversed the Baltic nation, and creatively incorporated its traditions and flavors into totally modern new recipes. Opened in 2011, COOK is Philadelphia’s first state-of-the-art, fully equipped kitchen-classroom where guests enjoy chef tastings, culinary demonstrations and cooking classes in a beautiful, intimate setting. With the help of partners, Philadelphia Magazine and Foobooz, COOK provides a platform for learning, experimentation, menu tastings and private dining events focused on celebrating the craft of cooking, drinking and gathering at the table – a space where everyone from the aspiring novice chef to the most decorated master of cuisine can come share their love and knowledge of food and drink.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show featuring Lithuanian Guest Artists

Location: The Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street. Time: Thursday, November 7, and Friday, November 8, 11am-9pm; Saturday, November 9, 10am-6pm; Sunday, November 10, 10am-5pm. Cost: Tickets in advance, online at www.pmacraftshow.org; and at the door $15 per person. See: www.pmacraftshow.org; for info call 215.684.7930

The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show is one of the largest and most highly regarded professional craft shows in the world. During the four day event, nearly 18,000 people attend. The annual show presents 195 of the finest American artists are selected from over 1200 applicants, and 23-26 artists are selected from one single country each year. Shining the spotlight on Lithuania during its current presidency of the European Union, 23 international award winning Lithuania artists will offer jewelry, ceramics, textile, glass, leather, furniture and paper. This is the first time a show of Lithuanian crafts and design of this scope has been presented in the United States.

LITHUANIAN ARTISTS:

CERAMICS — Daiva Ložytė (www.facebook.com/DaivaLozyteCeramics), Nomeda Marčėnaitė (www.nomedos.lt), Dainius Strazdas (www.pottery.lt), Rūta Šipalytė (www.sipalyte.blogspot.com)

TEXTILES – “Baltos Kandys“ or “White Moths” Artistic Group (www.baltoskandys.com), Danguolė Brogienė, Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė (www.severija.lt), Indra Dovydėnaitė (www.indradovydenaite.lt)

JEWELRY — Ugnė Blažytė and Danas Tamašauskas (www.ugneblazyte.com), Laura Dailidėnienė (www.daili.lt), Tadas Deksnys, Ingrida Didika (www.ingridadidika.com), Darijus Gerlikas (www.darijaus.com & www.cs-ad.co.uk), Sandra Malaškevičiūtė (www.spinkijewellery.com), Šarūnė Vaitkutė and Dainius Narkus (www.gauau.lt)

GLASS — Viktoras Dailidėnas (www.dailidenas.lt), Remigijus Kriukas (www.glasremis.lt), Lina Austė (www.linaglass.com)

LEATHER — Virginija Giniotytė (www.virginiote.com), Dalia Marija Šaulauskaitė (www.dmsaul.com), Aušra Petroškienė

PAPER — Klaidas Navickas (www.klaidaspapercuts.lt)

FURNITURE — Indra Marcinkevičienė (www.interioraddictions.com)

Psilicone Theatre performs “Greenhouse Stories”

Location: Friends Select School, 17th & Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Time: Friday, November 8, 10:15am-11:15am. Cost: Free, special performance for Friends Select students; limited additional seating available, reservations required for all guest lynat@friends-select.org or call 215.561.5900. See: www.friends-select.org, www.aukse.lt

Psilicone Theatre’s actors are miniature puppets, made from silicone, animated by pressing them between clear plates in breakneck speed under a projector which magnifies the image onto a screen. They are mixed with drawings, texts, and liquid pigments to create rich visual effects. In “Greenhouse Stories” the artist Auksė Petrulienė worked with the Kaunas Botanical Gardens to create characters from molds of actual plants, telling a live, huge and colorful ecological tale of extinction and conservation, mystery and wonder. Friends Select School is a PK through 12, college preparatory Quaker school in Center City Philadelphia that fosters a diverse, globally-aware school culture and curriculum. Students learn in a safe, courteous community, so there’s space to explore new ideas fearlessly. Hands-on learning and adventures beyond the classroom—in art and science rooms, in the city of Philadelphia, and beyond—make learning an active, engaging experience. The mission is to cultivate curiosity and to prepare every student successfully for an engaging and fulfilling life.

“Lithuanian Crafts as an Expanded Field: Challenging Stereotypes” Lecture by Virginija Vitkiene

Location: The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St. Time: Friday, November 8, 6:30pm-7:15pm. Cost: Open only to members/supporters of the Young Friends of the Philadelphia Museum of Art; to contribute $50 and become a member/supporter, and reserve a ticket please contact: youngfriends@philamuseum.org or call 215.684.7858 See:www.philamuseum.org/youngfriends

Virginia Vitkiene is an art critic and editor, curator, director of the Arts Centre at Vytautas Magnus University, and artistic director of the Kaunas Biennial international textile exhibition. Her lecture will offer an overview of current trends in Lithuanian craft and design, and provide a context for understanding the country’s unique artistic sensibility. The Young Friends is a dynamic group of art enthusiasts, committed to supporting the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Members enjoy a diverse schedule of programs including, engaging social events, educational lectures and tours, art-inspired excursions, and enrichment activities.

Don Russell aka “Joe Sixpack” leads a Handcrafted and Lithuanian Beer Tasting

Location: The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. 1101 Arch Street. Time: Friday, November 8, 7pm. Cost: $45 per person, includes admission to the Craft Show, advance reservations required, can be made online at www.pmacraftshow.org, or call 215.684.7930 See: www.pmacraftsow.org, www.joesixpack.net

Don Russell is an award-winning Philadelphia writer, and as “Joe Sixpack” is America’s bestknown beer journalist. He has traveled and discovered beers all around the world, including Lithuania. As founder and executive director of Philly Beer Week, he produces the largest beer celebration of its kind with over 1,000 events. The New York Times named Lithuania one of the top places to visit in 2013, all because of its beer.

Kestutis Vaiginis Quintet Lithuanian Jazz Concert

Location: The Philadelphia Museum of Art Grand Staircase, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway Time: Friday, November 8, 5:45pm -6:45pm and 7:15pm-8:15pm. Cost: Free with museum admission (museum admission: $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (65+), $14 for students (with valid ID) and youth (ages 13-18), free for children ages 12 and under and members; you can purchase a ticket at the museum, or online www.philamuseum.org/artafter5/ or call 215.763.8100. See: www.philamuseum.org/artafter5/, www.kestutisvaiginis.com

Kestutis Vaiginis Quintet Musicians:

Kęstutis Vaiginis – saxophone

David Berkman – piano

Alex Sipiagin –trumpet

Ed Howard – bassist

McClenty D. Hunter Jr. – drums

Kęstutis Vaiginis is arguably one of the most talented jazz musicians of his generation, playing soprano and tenor saxophones as well as the flute. Recognized for his clear and controlled sound, lyricism and passion, he rapidly established his role in the contemporary international jazz scene, and performing with stars like Barbara Dennerlein, Daniel Messina, Hernan Romero, David Berkman, Randal Corsen, Bilal Karaman, Burak Bedikyan, Herbie Kopf, Joonas Haavisto, giving concerts all around the world, winning awards and applause. Kestutis Vaiginis is performing in the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s popular Art After 5 program, a unique evening of entertainment, light supper by Starr Events, and cocktails, turning the Grand Stair Hall into an intimate and extraordinary cabaret.

Meet the Artists

Location: The Lithuanian Consulate, 410-412 S. 16th Street, Philadelphia. Time: Saturday, November 9, 7:30pm-10pm. Cost: $20 per person, advance reservations required and attendance is limited (no tickets sold at the door), please contact l.kucas@att.net or call 610.496.8146. See: www.pmacraftshow.org

The Lithuanian American Community of Philadelphia is pleased to welcome the acclaimed artists from Lithuania who are exhibiting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show. These 23 artists serve as cultural ambassadors for their country, and are feted this evening for theirextraordinary dedication and achievements. The Lithuanian Consulate in Pennsylvania was established in 2010, by designation of the Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Lithuanian Jewish Heritage Symposium

Location: National Museum of American Jewish History, 101 S. Independence Mall East. Time: Sunday, November 10, Noon-5pm. Cost: Free and open to the public, reservations required and can be made by contacting rolandas.kacinskas@urm.lt or calling 202.234.5860 ext.118

This conference offers insights into Lithuanian Jewish culture, seeks to throw light on losses during World War II, and attempts to assess conditions for preserving and reviving Jewish heritage in today’s Lithuania and among Lithuanian Jews worldwide. This event is organized by the Lithuanian Embassy, the Israeli Consulate, the American Jewish Committee and the National Museum of American Jewish History. Speakers include: Lithuanian Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nerijus Germanas; Prof. Šarūnas Liekis of Vytautas Magnus University; Prof. Antony Polonsky of Brandeis University; Deputy Director of the Institute of Lithuanian History Darius Staliūnas; Prof. Eliyahu Stern of Yale University; Prof. Emeritus Saulius Sužiedelis of Millersville University; Associate Prof. Adam Teller of Brown University; and Antanas Zabulis, founder of The Northern Jerusalem Project.

Lithuanian Festival 2013 events are organized in celebration of Lithuania’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the second half of 2013. Lithuanian Festival 2013 events have been organized by the Lithuanian Embassy in the United States, the Lithuanian Honorary Consul to Pennsylvania and the International Cultural Programme Center.

Lithuanian Festival 2013 events are made possible through the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania, Enterprise Lithuania, the Maersk Line, Limited, the Bajorunas/Sarnoff Foundation, and Ikea. Special thanks to all of the partnering venues who are participating in Lithuanian Festival 2013 and without whose interest and collaborative spirit these events would not be possible: The American Jewish Committee, The Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Birzu Alus, The Brothers Vilgalys Baltic-Style Spirits, The Consular Corps Association of Philadelphia, The Consulate General of Israel, COOK, Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Exelon, Friends Select, Global Philadelphia, Independence Visitor Center, International House Philadelphia, Knight International LLC, The Lithuanian American Community, Philadelphia Chapter, Loreta’s Living Foods, The National Museum of American Jewish History, Parkway Realty Services, The Philadelphia Museum of Art Art After 5 Program, The Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, The Print Center and Sbraga.

Background:

In 1429, Lithuania, then a Grand Duchy and the largest country in Europe, organized its first summit of European leaders. Lithuania’s current presidency of the Council of the European Union comes after centuries of strife and occupation. In 1990, Lithuania declared its independence from the Soviet Union, and in 1993, a partnership was established with the Pennsylvania National Guard as part of a federally mandated State Partnership Program.

Lithuania was invited to join the EU and NATO in 2002. For more info, please see www.eu2013.lt

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania boasts one of the largest Lithuanian diaspora groups in the world, second only to Illinois. Most Lithuanians came to the U.S. during various wars and occupations, as Honorary Consul Bard’s own parents did in 1949. Bard’s first trip to Lithuania was in 1988, when she led a group of US culinary journalists and chefs through the Soviet Union; restaurateur activist Judy Wicks documented the event and restaurant exchange with Lithuania’s Stikliai Hotel in a chapter of her book, “White Dog CafŽ Cookbook: Multicultural Recipes and Tales of Adventure from Philadelphia’s Revolutionary Restaurant.” Bard was named Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2010.

For further information contact: Evaldas Stankevičius. Cultural Attache, Lithuanian Embassy in Washington, DC. culture.us@urm.lt. T: 202-234-5860 ext. 113

Krista Butvydas Bard, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Lithuania to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, krista@honoraryconsul.lt, kbard@kristabard.com, 215.735.7110

More information at Lithuanian Festival 2013

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