PLAYING AND FREE
An exhibition of artwork by students of Mažeikiai Art School, dedicated to February 16th.
February 16th is Lithuania State Restoration of Independence Day — it is a profound celebration to our nation and country. In order to commemorate this historical event, Mažeikiai Art School organizes student art exhibitions at the Mažeikiai Museum every year. It is a long-standing tradition. The signing of the Act of Independence of Lithuania over than a century ago had inspired young creators to rethink the idea of freedom through the topic of this year – "Games". The exhibition "PLAYING AND FREE" accompanies main student exhibition dedicated to February 16th and is displayed in the spaces of Saldus Music and Arts School.
Dutch cultural historian and theorist Johan Huizinga, in his book "Homo Ludens" (1938), defines play as one of the most crucial activities in a thriving society, arguing that play is an
essential element of any free culture and flourishing civilization. Human and artistic play is a fundamental concept of the universal world. We all have experience with games. It is often perceived as a childish activity — something frivolous, a resemblence to escape responsibility or a mere way of entertaining oneself. However, upon closer examination, it becomes obvious that traces of games permeate every aspect of our daily lives – creativity, politics, love, relationships, work, even war and death. Encompassing and penetrating human existence, games become the foundation of human being.
Our life journey is guided by small goals, embodied in the pursuit of an ultimate promise of happiness. While striving for these future aspirations we often forget to celebrate the present. Play defies the exhausting nature of these goals. Carefree activities allow one to pause and be free here and now – it is characterized by a calm „present” and self-sufficient meaning – it is like „...an oasis of momentary happiness in the desert of our constant search
for fulfillment“ (Eugen Fink).
Creativity is a game of colors, lines, materials, shapes, sizes for the young artists of Mažeikiai Art School. It impacts other tools that refine self-expression and aesthetic presentation too. Each artwork and idea flies free in the world of imagination. The pursuit of upbringing them to life becomes a form of play. We create through games. Through games we learn to build community relationships, to form a group, a tribe even a nation. We establish and follow rules while playing – a structure that unites and protects us.
Games require toys. We create them ourselves and use them while revealing mysterious process. Everyday reality unfolds itself through games as possessing another secret and wishful reality – the one of a luminous world without violence, wars, suffering and injustice. In games we find hidden the becoming "creators of the world". Perhaps we are destined to dissolve into our creations while continuously rediscovering the symbolic connection between humanity, world and ourselves.
The exhibition showcases batik artworks created by students aged 10–16. The silk panels depict human figures – static and dynamic – engaged in sports, dance, swimming, relaxation as well as the surrounding environment – cities, objects, nature. Artists play with wax and layers of textile dye searching, experimenting and discovering new shades, compositions of stains and lines and enjoying the effects of the batik technique. It is an immersive and
mesmerizing process – a game that jumpstarts creativity.
The works were created between 2022 and 2024.
Art teacher and batik creative practice instructor: Giedrė Bernotavičienė
