Julijonas Urbonas Nonfiction of Levitation. Performative lecture

On Saturday, March 9, at 5.30 pm, we invite you to a performance lecture Nonfiction of Levitation by Julijonas Urbonas.

During the Nonfiction of Levitation performative lecture, the artist will talk about the tension between the opposing concepts of gravity (one of the greatest mysteries of physics) and levitation - one of humanity's greatest dreams, recurring in cultural texts, conceptual and constructional challenges, research, metaphysical challenges, etc.

Nonfiction of Levitation

Levitation – between the worlds of mythologies, science fiction, poetry, magic, science and technologies — has been perhaps the most dreamed and desired invention. In its enormous variety of incarnations, from the purest lightness of angel to diamagnetic levitation of living matter, there is something profoundly contagious about it, and no wonder its opposite, gravitation, is one of the greatest mysteries of physics (and I’d dare to say of experience) to be solved. Yet, when it comes to the tangible reality⁠, one can barely say more words than a merely body’s floating without any physical contact with solid ground or suspended in the air — what is it like to levitate. Avoiding fantasies, myths, pseudo-science and even physics (at least partially), as well as allegedly weightless phenomena like OBE, aka out-of-body experience, astral projection, and the imagination (although I believe it deserves a rigorous scrutiny), in this lecture I attempted to bring the floating ideas of levitation to the ground. With the help of six assistants and a custom designed strap harness system I performatively simulated various contemporary levitation technologies — flesh hook suspension, neutral buoyancy, aerodynamic hovering, free fall, orbiting. And in doing so, had drawn various perceptual ‘blueprints’ of lightness in terms of ‘naked’⁠ experience, or simply put, how the absence of gravitational burdensomeness is being perceived.

The event is free of charge for participants, funded by the Lithuanian Culture Institute. No prior registration is required. The performance will take place at the "Try to make it real. But comared to what?": Contemporary Art from Lithuania exhibition near the work of Julijonas Urbonas Euthanasia Coaster. Prior to the performance, at 4 pm, there will be a presentation of the artist's work >> in MOCAK's audiovisual room.

Participation in the event provides free admission to all ongoing exhibitions.