Experiencing the Rose

"Experience The Rose” - it’s a search for a person's identity. 

The idea of photographing flowers came to the artist when she moved from Vilnius to Stockholm and felt the loss of her identity. Trying to survive this period and understand what was happening, Kristina tried not to demand too much of herself, but to live a simple everyday life. That means taking care of her family, her home, her friends, growing flowers, going for walks and observing the environment.

One of her favorite objects of observation was the rose in the yard. From morning till night she could watch it bloom. It would draw her for long minutes. She could do nothing but look at it. And she felt so silent, so peaceful, so full. She didn't miss anything.

And in those moments, she realized that it didn't matter if something was being taken from me, or if she was losing something, it was just not true. I never lose herself.

And so the idea of growing flowers in her garden, exploring them and experiencing  the Self was born.

Overlapping Moments

In this series of photographs, the artist captures recurring moments that she cannot predict or somehow control. And yet, they come, and the artist becomes a mere observer of the creative process. 

One year ago, she purchased a Mamiya RB67 film camera and soon discovered its malfunction. The camera would periodically jam, resulting in stopped film rotation or double exposures. Despite this uncertainty, she continued to capture moments, anticipating the camera's unexpected outcomes. 

The resulting images at the intersection of the film were collected and have since surpassed artist’s initial satisfaction with conventional "good" shots. 

Currently, she is conducting an ongoing experiment to analyze the connection between these spontaneous moments and what they may convey. 

This analysis involves considering aspects such as the ideal time, place, and form for capturing these moments.

Before Leaving

Kristina, the artist behind this series, aims to capture her own image and essence in time and space. The concept of immortality through art deeply resonates with her, and she seeks to achieve this by creating a sculpture of herself. However, her approach goes beyond mere self-portraiture - she also wishes to deconstruct her identity and sense of belonging before facing significant changes in her life. 

As a mother who moves frequently due to her husband's career, Kristina has had to make sacrifices that she never anticipated. Leaving behind her career, the place where her children were born, family and friends, she felt vulnerable and uncertain. Despite never having imagined herself as an expat, she has embraced this lifestyle for the sake of her family. 

For Kristina, the sculpture is a symbol of her existence in contemporary space, much like the obscure sculptures on city buildings or the delicate porcelain figurines that go unnoticed by most. She chose to use gauze as her material, which holds cultural significance in traditional Lithuanian dishes and for treating wounds. By soaking the gauze in water before sculpting, she purifies herself from domestic worries and inner conflicts, allowing her to focus on capturing the essential features of her personal identity and collective memory.

Through her art, Kristina seeks to create a lasting representation of herself and her experiences, as well as to explore the deeper meanings of identity and belonging in a constantly changing life.