pro-test lab archive – archive of available forms of protest against the privatization of public space: installation, series of videoperformances, fashion collection, posters, props / 2006 – 2007
In March 2005 the former Lietuva ticket office in Vilnius was squatted and converted into a pro-test lab inviting people to propose different protest scenarios; to both inspire action and make it happen. Originally a case study of the destruction of the Lietuva movie theatre – the largest Soviet modernist pavilion-type building in Lithuania – it has developed into a space and an archive of various forms of protest (and legal proceedings) against the corporate privatisation of public space.
The pro-test lab addressed issues of collective production and participation, aiming to create a community that would activate people’s cultural and political imagination. The citizens of Vilnius who have joined the pro-test lab come from different, sometimes even antagonistic, communities and social groups – young and old, students and pensioners, intellectuals and workers – but all trying to imagine a positive kind of protest. With a bit of dash, turning „pro” and „test” into action, they have constructed a new identity for the place, as well as creating a site for testing the potential of protest.
The pro-test lab archive is an art project that organises a collection of images and props, observing the relationships they produce with the act of protest. The archive maps attempts to stage an autonomous platform for action through art projects that can penetrate reality through political acts. This develops both inside and outside the art system by simultaneously considering the tension and synergy that such a relationship produces.VA
pro-test lab archive vol.01
installation, series of videoperformances, fashion collection, posters, props / Gwangju Biennale 2006, Gwangju, Korea
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Pro-test lab archive is archiving all available forms of protest against the situation of the Cinema Lietuva focusing on the discourse of public space vs corporate privatization.
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Film list:
„LIETUVA” /DVD 17:24 min./2006
„Cinemas dissapeared” /DVD 04:52 min./2005
„VIP market” /DVD 2:22 min./2005
„pro-test lab” /DVD 20:27 min./2005
„SOLD OUT” /DVD 14:38 min./2005
„America will help us” /DVD 2:09 min./2005
„Dogs barking will not disturb the clouds”/DVD 1:27 min./2005
„Human-chain of Swimming Enthusiasts”/DVD 2:20 min./2005
„TV bridge: Oslo—LIETUVA” /DVD 16:12 min./2005
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camera: Giedrius Ilgunas
studio: Nomeda and Gediminas Urbonas
architecture: Julija Ksivickaite
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VIP market models: by architecture students Akvile Rimantaite,
Sandra Slepikaite, Sandra Butautaite, Margarita Kaucikaite / 2005/2006
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fashion collection: „Collection for work and rebel” by Sandra Straukaite and Nomeda & Gediminas Urbonas/ www.vilma.cc/ruta_remake / 2004-2006
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scarf collection „LIETUVA” by Nomeda & Gediminas Urbonas / 2006
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pillows: by Valdas Ozarinskas, CAC Vilnius
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image collection: Lithuanian Central State Archives, Pro-test lab Archive
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supported by Culture and sport support foundation of the republic of Lithuania