EDMUNDAS FRĖJUS’ EXHIBITION „RETURNING BIRDS“

Edmundas Frėjus’ exhibition of sculptures and drawings „Returning Birds“ will be opened on the 27th of August, 2021, on friday, at 6:00 pm at the Exhibition Hall of Klaipėda Culture Communication Center (KCCC) (Didžioji Vandens st. 2, Klaipėda).

Edmundas Frėjus. Photo by Arūnas Baltėnas

A cycle of art events dedicated to the author’s memory begins with this exhibition, which will travel throughout the whole Lithuania – Klaipėda, Kaunas and Vilnius. Klaipėda region was chosen not by chance for the beginning of the cycle of events. Although E. Frėjus studied in Telšiai and spent most of his life in Kaunas, art kept him returning to Klaipėda – this is where one of the author’s first exhibitions was held almost 30 years ago. The sculptor’s first step into public spaces was also in Klaipėda – metal relief  “Pegasus” up to now embellishes Klaipėda Theater Square.

Edmundas Frėjus in his workshop.
Photo by Arūno Baltėno, 1994 m.

The exhibition “Returning Birds”, which is being opened during the last days of summer, is a continuation of what was started 30 years ago – the return of the mystical winged creatures created by E. Frėjus to Klaipėda. The sculptor has cared about the subject of flying creatures all his life. This is also reflected in the exhibition. Two types of sculptures are exhibited here – winged, strange, as if unfinished larger size figures of women and men and small sculpture creations – surreal phantasmagoric, mostly bird-like creatures.

‘When Edmundas invited us to his first exhibition in 1993, we were very surprised. There were indescribably interesting metal creatures in the exhibition. These were flightless, once-existed Dodo birds. With large and massive bodies, but small and weak wings. Anatomically expressive birds whose inability to fly caused the feeling of tragedy. They were carved and formed out of black metal’, shares her memories Eglė Andziukevičienė, one of the initiators of these exhibitions, the founder of Kaunas Modern Art Foundation.

Edmundas Frėjus „Winches I ir II“, wrought iron,
h 100 cm, 1995 m. Photo by Manto Bartaševičiaus

According to art historian and critic Rasa Žukienė, Edmundas Frėjus settled his artistic visions in metal forms, creating unique spatial shapes – winged horses, athletes, angels, amazons and goddesses. All these fantastic characters are united by lightness and heaviness, cold and heat, beauty and disgust, massiveness and smallness.

Frėjus also strived for the fullness of his expression by painting, filming for some time, participating in movement of medal creation art. In the exhibition “Returning Birds” there will be an opportunity to see Henrikas Gulbinas’ 2009 movie “Ad volandum natus. Frejus”, in which the artist himself is depicted as forging wings for himself and preparing to fly.

One of the most important highlights of the cycle of events will be the presentation of the album dedicated to the memory of E. Frėjus’ creative works, which is planned to be released at the end of September. According to the initiators of the exhibition, ideas for releasing the album began immediately after the artist’s death in 2009. Giedrius Andziukevičius, the founder of Kaunas Modern Art Foundation, sought to materialize this idea, but, unfortunately, he no longer exists among the living today. He and the sculptor were bound by friendly and warm relations since the Soviet era. This relationship has been established since the first visit of G. Andziukevičius and his wife to E. Frėjus’ workshops in Kaunas.

Edmundas Frėjus „Amazone“, wrought iron,
117×60 cm, 2004 m. Pgoto by Manto Bartaševičiaus

‘This album has brought together many people who have known Edmundas Frėjus and who are still fascinated by his life and creative work. People who contributed to this album wrote texts, shared memories, collected documents and archives’, says Rugilė Andziukevičiūtė-Buzė, the daughter of the founder of Kaunas Modern Art Foundation, who took over the mission started by her father.

Edmundas Frėjus „Woman with wings III“, wrought iron,
120×44 cm, 2009 m. Photo by Manto Bartaševičiaus

The artistic part of the album was written by Rasutė Žukienė, Ignas Kazakevičius, Rūta Marija Purvinaitė. Egidijus Aleksandravičius, Alfredas Bumblauskas, artist Romualdas Inčirauskas, sculptor’s daughters Monika and Marta and others share emotional memories in the album.

The cycle of exhibitions is organized by Kaunas Modern Art Foundation together with the sculptor’s daughters Monika Frėjutė and Marta Frėjutė.

Edmundas Frėjus exhibition „Returning Birds“ will be open until the 26th of September. 

Working hours of KCCC Exhibition Hall (Didžioji Vandens st. 2, Klaipėda): Wednesday –

Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm. (Closed during public holidays).

The event will be photographed and filmed, so please be informed that visitors may be seen in photos or videos of the event, and these photos or videos may be posted publicly on social networks or media.

Due to quarantine restrictions, visitors are asked to comply with security requirements.

Edmundo Frėjaus’ workshop.
Photo by Arūno Baltėno, 1994 m.