The archive of Jonas Mekas entrusted to the Lithuanian National Museum of Art on three-year-loan

A three-year loan contract entrusting the archive of Jonas Mekas (1922 – 2019) to the Lithuanian National Museum of Art (LNMA) was signed on 4 May, at the Radvila Palace Museum of Art of the LNMA.

The contract has been signed by the son of Jonas Mekas, Sebastian Mekas, and the Director General of the LNMA, Dr Arūnas Gelūnas. The event was attended by Gražina Michnevičiūtė who significantly contributed to the transfer of the archive from New York to Lithuania.

“The homecoming of Jonas Mekas’s archive to Lithuania is of consequence to our cultural life. We appreciate the opportunity to safeguard, but especially to bring it into the forefront of cultural life, by presenting it, in a form of exhibitions, research and publications, to the public in Lithuania and to Mekas’s fans globally,” Dr Arūnas Gelūnas, director general of the LNMA, said. 

„My father’s life and work have always been closely intertwined, and this archive preserves both. It brings me great joy that it now returns to his home country. This cooperation between the Museum and the Jonas Mekas Estate will allow a deeper engagement with the material he created and collected over nearly a century,” Sebastian Mekas has this to share on the important occasion. 

The massive archive opening New York’s avant-garde scene 

Last summer, Jonas Mekas’s archive of impressive scale arrived from the filmmaker’s New York studio to the storerooms of the LNMA in Vilnius. It included the Godfather’s of the avant-garde film personal items which accompanied him throughout his creative life: his rich correspondence and historical documents, the computers, the studio and video editing equipment. Arrived also the authentic studio furniture pieces – the tables Jonas Mekas worked at, engaged in discussions and spent time with New York’s avantgarde community, such like-minded artists as Andy Warhol, and others. 

Besides the equipment he used in his creative work, the archive includes his artwork: DVDs with films and the printed stills. The collection includes the artwork by other artists acquired by him to decorate his New York studio. This diverse material illuminates the artist’s broad cultural and creative world outlook and his close links to the international art environment allowing a deeper knowledge of the milieu that shaped the creative path of his rich personality. 

A significant part of the archive is a collection of books, of different genres, inclusive of numerous books of poetry and philosophy. 

Jonas Mekas’s archive to inspire new exhibitions and research  

While in Lithuania, the archive of Jonas Mekas will present itself to new narratives. Over the period of the three years, when the Museum is entrusted with the care of the archive, it will be opened for the public. Two exhibitions will take place in the coming years to present, in depth, the art and life of Jonas Mekas, and the avant-garde scene of New York. 

The archive will be primarily researched by the LNMA researchers and curators, further on, there are plans to create opportunities for other researchers and scholars in different fields to thoroughly explore Mekas’s legacy. This way the archive will become instrumental in enhancing the relevance of Mekas’s art and its promotion on the contemporary art field.  

Information provided by Banguolė Žalnieriūnaitė, Public Relations Coordinator of the Communication and Marketing Department of the National Museum of Art (LNMA), tel. +37064946224, email: [email protected] 

The National Museum of Art of Lithuania (LNMA) is one of the largest national art museums in Lithuania, collecting, preserving, researching, conserving, restoring, and promoting art and cultural heritage of national significance. The LNMA collection is exhibited in nine branches located in Vilnius, Klaipėda, Palanga, and Juodkrantė.