The Free Academic Spirit of VU is Captured in Kazakevičius' Shots – Formulas are also Written on the Classroom Window

An exhibition of photographs by Tadas Kazakevičius, one of the most famous representatives of Lithuanian documentary photography today, “The People of the University” will be opened in the Great Courtyard of Vilnius University (VU) on 7 June, which captures 15 VU lecturers and students in their work environment. The photographs aim to reveal the close human relationship between students and lecturers and their open and free connection in the space of science, studies, and personal development.

“I can never take pictures of people if they are fake models who are telling a pseudo-story – that’s difficult for me to do. However, during the photoshoots, I met real lecturers and real students, becoming a part of the sincere communication taking place in their natural habitats,” says the portrait photographer.

Kazakevičius photographed fifteen VU lecturers and former or current students from various faculties throughout the month. According to the author of the pictures, in creating this series of photographs, he realized that it is not so easy to take pictures of several people interacting with each other without hiding their faces, looking for moments when there is contact between the two of them. But at the same time, it was very simple because they naturally communicated with each other, talking about everyday things and topics common to them.

The photographs included in the exhibition are the result of meaningful collaboration between VU and the photographer Kazakevičius. Kazakevičius is recognized in Lithuania and abroad for his work in documentary photography. His cycle of photographs titled “That Which Will No Longer Be” is particularly renowned. In 2017, the photographer was among the finalists of the Lens Culture Exposure Awards, and in 2019 – among the finalists of the Leica Oskar Barnack Awards. Kazakevičius was also awarded the "Golden Frame" award in the Lithuanian press photography competition.

According to art critic Tomas Pabedinskas, Kazakevičius' work is characterized by a humanistic worldview, and from an artistic point of view, it continues the traditions of the Lithuanian school of photography. The author’s focus is always on the person, his story, and experiences, which are both personal and universal, revealing the essence of humanity.

“The atmosphere of the connection depicted in this exhibition is conveyed by the warm colors of the photographs and the subtle grace of the tones created by the analog images. In the photographs, the university is portrayed both as an institution of science with deep traditions and as a liberal space for free thought. Well-known professors discuss the university’s long history, but as the students and lecturers freely exchange ideas, formulas can also be written on the classroom windows,” says Pabedinskas.

This artistic project is a follow-up to last year’s project which was brought to life with the legendary photographer and laureate of the Lithuanian National Prize for Culture and Arts, Antanas Sutkus, and his student, Artūras Morozovas.

You can visit the exhibition in the VU Great Courtyard until 31 August.