At Lithuanian Flea Market. No. 269, Onuškis

After the 1969 exhibition “9 Lithuanian Photographers” held in Moscow, the Russian critics named this group of Lithuanian artists’ collective works ( Romualdas Rakauskas, Algimantas Kuncius and others) – Lithuanian Photography School. These works were in distinct contrast to other Soviet photographer creations of the time – they were executed in a reporting style, were distinct in their psychological portraits as well as long term single subject focus. Distinct was also an ethnographic focus and a metaphorical visual language and too the human / nature relationship.
This distinctive Lithuanian photographers’’ voice is also present in Macijauskas’s art. In his most important body of work “Flea Markets” as well as “Kauno Vet Clinics” – the humans and animals are equally important subjects.
The animals are often even more important in Macijauskas’s compositions. For example, the 1972 photo #269 – Onuskis, shows off a main chicken subject in the foreground, while the human mass melts into dark background. The rippled coat of the chicken accentuates her even more in the dark background and this entire works to focus one’s attention into to the visual as well as the meaningful nuances of the photo.
The visual language of photography creates a distinct mood. In this particular one, the dark mass of humanity and their distorted faces by wide angle composition suggests a threatening situation, a palpable fear - feelings that one would attribute to the animals in a market situation. The brave framing of partial human faces convinces the viewer that the artist captured a spontaneous and choreographed moment.
In Macijauskas photos the relations between humans and animals are often dramatic. The human and his engagement with his environment are meant to remind us of the constant conflict and suffering as well as the unavoidable mutual interdependence.