Image above: Autumn grouping featuring (left to right): Stumbras (Bison), Kurtinys (Woodgrouse); Barsukas (Badger); Rudens Žvirblis (Autumn Sparrow); Šernas (Boar); and Lokis (Bear). Photographed by Andrius Lipšys. Artwork details at bottom of post.
Jazmina Cininas will be showing several of her lagerphones in the upcoming solo exhibition The Sparrow and the Iron Wolf at Laneway Gallery, Albury Library Museum.
Artist Jazmina Cininas takes audiences on a visual, auditory, and poetic reimagining of Lithuanian traditions and Baltic folklore. Through a diverse range of mediums, this exhibition offers an autoethnographic exploration of Jazmina’s Australian-Lithuanian cultural identity with a focus on environmentally sustainable art practices.
Lapė (Fox) lagerphone (2013) with stand (2020) salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, rubber stopper 131 x 28 x 28 cm. Photographed by Andrius Lipšys.
As a member of Melbourne-Lithuanian folk ensemble The Lost Clog, Jazmina creates striking percussive instruments from recycled materials. These intricate lagerphones, in the shapes of Lithuanian animals, are brought to life through performances which draw on universal themes of harvest, war, love, and loss.
Ožys (Goat) lagerphone (2014) with stand (2019) salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, rubber stopper 166 x 31 x 31 cm (approx.). Photographed by Andrius Lipšys.
Also included in the exhibition are Jazmina’s handbound books from print ephemera that explore Baltic mythology, migration and the natural world, alongside a suite of photographs that explore Lithuanian-Australian otherness through the figure of the female werewolf.
The Stars Woo Salme to the Clouds with the Language of Birds 2018 artist book with inlaid cover and belly band collage from vintage Estonian reference books, used business envelopes and cut outs 20.5 x 81 x 11 cm (open). Photographed by Andrius Lipšys.
Stoat 2018 (Karp) artist book from repurposed vintage Estonian book cover, collage and cut outs 21.8 x 13.2 x 1.5 cm (closed). Photographed by Andrius Lipšys.
The Sparrow and the Iron Wolf offers a celebration of a minority culture that spearheaded the first wave of post-war immigration and showcases the contribution of immigrant and refugee populations to Australia’s cultural fabric.
Vilkas (Wolf) lagerphone (2013) and stand (2021) salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, rubber stopper 143 x 42 x 41 cm. Museums Victoria collection. Photographed by Andrius Lipšys.
Cininas’s lagerphone Vilkas (Wolf) was also recently acquired by Museums Victoria. Watch curator Moya McFadzean and Jazmina Cininas discuss her work, with cameos by the Lost Clog.
Jazmina Cininas: The Sparrow and the Iron Wolf
Laneway Gallery, Albury Library Museum
19 November 2022 – 19 February 2023
Artwork details from top image (left to right):
Stumbras (Bison) lagerphone with stand 2021 salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, rubber stopper 181 x 43 x 43 cm (approx.).
Kurtinys (Woodgrouse) Guiro lagerphone with stand 2021 salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, rubber stopper 137 x 42 x 43 cm (approx.).
Barsukas (Badger) lagerphone and stand 2021 salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, rubber stopper 155 x 37 x 37 cm (approx.).
Rudens Žvirblis (Autumn Sparrow) whistle-lagerphone and stand 2022 salvaged timber, used bottle caps, whistle, nails, rubber stopper 134 x 40 x 36 cm (approx.).
Šernas (Boar) lagerphone and stand 2021 salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, rubber stopper 164.5 x 33 x 30 cm (approx.).
Lokis (Bear) lagerphone with stand 2021 salvaged timber, used bottle caps, nails, wire, rubber stopper 162 x 30 x 30 cm (approx.).