Ulad Vialichka: Belarusan thinking should become not only elitist, but also a popular phenomenon

photo by Aliaksandra Bajaryna

Last week an unusual plein-air took place at Vajciushki hamlet. The plein-air aimed at creating new visual images in the year of Belarusan thinking, launched by International Consortium EuroBelarus.

The plein-air resulted in a lot of art works, which soon will become available for universal use and distribution. As the participants of the plein-air note, these pieces of art are really worth being seen by the Belarusan society. Ulad Vialichka, the head of the International Consortium “EuroBelarus”, told the “EuroBelarus” Information Service more details about the reasons for organizing this art event.

- How did the idea to organize a plein-air at the Vajciushki hamlet come and what was it organized for?

- Our plein-air was a logical continuation of a series of events within the frames of the campaign “Quote your own”. It is aimed at actualization of the best examples of Belarusan thinking, invitation for thoughtful reading, and realization of words that are being pronounced in our Belarusan cultural space. Over several months internet-platform “Budz’ma Belarusami!” published thoughts and quotes of our famous fellow-citizens or those who are worthy attention. The idea of the plein-air belongs to our famous designer and creative person Mihal Amnepadystau. To develop the campaign further bright visual images are needed that would spread around people. That’s why Mihal suggested gathering a number of talented Belarusan designers and artists in order to work on this task together.

Mihal Amnepadystau, photo by Aliaksandra Bajaryna

- Who took part in the plein-air?

- Big thanks to prominent artists Paval Semchanka, Mihal Amnepadystau, Alena Dashkevich, Artur Vakarau, Vadzim Prkopchyk, and Aleh Ustsinovich for their active participation with their thoughts, images, and strivings for our common goal. For me in particular it was a completely new experience of relations with professional artists of such high level.

- It was one of the events within the framework of the Year of Belarusan thinking, wasn’t it?

- Our plein-air is an ART-preparation to the Year of Belarusan thinking. This idea came to Tatsiana Vadalazhskaja, coordinator of the Flying University, and was supported by the Belarusan Collegium and other Belarusan intellectuals. Our country now dedicates much attention to symbolic forms of Belarusization – ribbons, language courses, and cultural events; and that is very important and well-timed. The Year of Belarusan thinking is aimed at moving this process further and filling certain symbolic things with meaning. We have something to say to the world; that’s why it is important that we know modern examples of Belarusan thinking that are suggested by our philosophers, methodologists, and literary men.

For now the Year of Belarusan thinking is rather an idea than some moulded plan of arrangements; so all good ideas are welcomed. But one of the highlights of the Year will be the publication of “Anthology of Belarusan thinking 2”. We are actively working on it now.

- If we return back to the plein-air – what was happening there?

- The plein-air lasted four days and consisted of different things, without which it is impossible to create a comfortable and rich atmosphere. During the first day an introductory discussion on limitations and peculiarities of Belarusan thinking with the participation of a philosopher and literary man Valiantsin Akudovich took place. Later on artists had a chance to choose their favourite quotes that they would like to embody in certain visual images. During the last day a small presentation of draft works of art took place. A crew of Alena Verashchagina was working at the plein-air; a concert by Zmicier Vaitsiushkevich also added to the inspiration. And, of course, the atmosphere of the informality, laughs, and shared pastime made its work!

- By the way, was there any particular reason why Vajciushki hamlet was chosen?

- Yes, certainly! One of the necessary components of success for creative people is the possibility to work over their ideas in beautiful and confortable conditions. Vajciushki was a perfect place for the plein-air: autumn weather and unhurriedness of Nieman area, creativity of the hamlet itself, and, of course, the hospitality of Zmicier Vaitsiushkevich’s family. I advice everyone to visit Vajciushki one day!

- What works were created in result?

- Our artists created a number of visual and designer models for men’s and women’s T-shirts that would popularize Belarusan style and make it the center of attention. Someone might find our idea very trivial; but it is this format that is contemporary, uncommon, and fashionable.

In result, the work came to be very different – each artist realized them in their own style and manner, which is very pleasing for me. Different thoughts found their realization in different stylistic representations.

One of the works created at the plein-air

- What is the future of these works and will this project have any continuation?

-  Belarusan thinking should become not only elitist, but also a popular phenomenon. In the next few weeks the examples of the T-shirts that were created will be published in the Internet in the format that is appropriate for downloading, so that it can be used by anyone, who finds our idea interesting and who will be willing to print T-shirts with quotes of our famous fellow-countrymen. A number of these examples we will print ourselves, so that good Belarusan thoughts would appear in the Minsk streets as soon as possible.