By: Azad Karmi
Like my wonderful tutor Clive Landed once said: ‘You have to respect the key that is opening for you almost all doors - your camera’. And I truly think that these words are true since that was proven so many times in my life.
Interview
Lithuanian Documentary Photographer Eugenijus Barzdžius
By Azad Karimi
I read a few minutes ago that Germany has asked the European Union to impose more punitive sanctions on Russia for the imprisonment of Alexei Navalny.
Alexei Navalny is a critic of Putin's policies in Russia.
The land of Pushkin, my favorite poet, has been in the hands of Vladimir Putin for years. This man with that cold and ruthless look only thinks of maintaining power. these wandering dictators trapped in the maze of their endless dreams, ruthlessly remove anyone who criticizes them.
Putin is one of them.
But Alexander Navalny is a hero. I understand his patriotic feelings with all my being. I am writing these sentences with tears in my eyes. Tears that boil like a spring from the depths of my wounded being.
Putin is a ruthless dictator who does not respect the dignity of great people, Like the dictators in Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Myanmar, Venezuela, and Cuba.
They also imprison the critics of their country under various pretexts, But it is interesting to me that Erdogan and Khamenei and Zarif and Rouhani did not tweet that democracy was trampled on in Russia!
Also, why do not Iranian intellectuals who claim to oppose the tyranny of the authoritarian regime in Iran dare to criticize Putin? Why did not declare their solidarity with Navalny?
I am writing this here and everyone is reading it, but I tell you- people of the world- that from tomorrow Iranian opposites will compete to express their solidarity with Navalny.
What is cooperation with the Iranian regime? Silence against the oppressive actions of that regime. For example, eighty Kurdish people have been arrested by the Iranian regime in Kurdistan in the last two weeks, but none of these alleged Iranian political and human rights activists have protested.
We and our actions will all be judged by God. Even if these are not, is humanity dead that everyone can do whatever he wants? This is not fair at all. Of course, I believe that God exists, but I can not stand on the ground like a tree and do nothing. This is far from the philosophy of creation. The logic of existence is dynamism and perfection and justice is the culmination of this perfectionism.Prison is not a good place. It is a bad and insecure place. It is the place of criminals, not libertarians and justice seekers. Alexei Navalny is not guilty, he is a follower of justice.
I wish my dear friend Eugenijus all the best. He comes from Lithuania. A country in the Baltic Sea where the struggle of its people against the Soviet dictatorship is recorded in the memory of history.
Thank you!
Vestland-Norway
1- Please present yourself (Name, education, job, Civil status and...) .
Eugenijus Barzdžius [æu:geŋ’jʊs bɑrz’dʒus], was born in Šiauliai city, Lithuania. At the moment based in Vilnius, Lithuania. In 2017 graduated from MA Photography and Urban Cultures at Goldsmiths College, the University of London. In 2013 graduated from BA at the University of Wales, Newport, U.K., Documentary Photography course. In 2002 graduated from BA Academic Art and Graphic Design course at Šiauliai University, Lithuania. Successfully graduated Šiauliai city Children’s evening art school alongside secondary school.
2-what is your artistic specialize?
.Documentary photographer exploring sociologic and conceptual themes.
3- When and how did you become interested in this field of art?
.Before primary school. More serious practice started since I was 10 years.
4- Who was your motivator?
.My curiosity and love of art.
5- What was your parent’s reaction?
.My mama always liked my artistic nature and always supported me. Father never really understood but later in life he saw and appreciated my choice.
6- When started you such as a professional artist, photographer?
. Since I was 17.
7- Are you thankful and happy because of your activities as a photographer?
. Yes, of course. Like my wonderful tutor Clive Landed once said: ‘You have to respect the key that is opening for you almost all doors - your camera’. And I truly think that these words are true since that was proven so many times in my life.
8- How you see the view, the future of art, photography, culture?
.You are an artist; you should have an opinion... It will continue being crazy, critical and will inspire others to go further down a street to know what is behind a next corner. The art will look at the world with critical eyes and will continue come up with comments on something that sometimes we do no not notice but what is so obvious. What really is not so inspiring for me is that artificial intelligence will start serving to people something that is based on your interest or other personal preferences, and that seems like elimination of uncalculated surprise what is inspiring for me. Maybe I am wrong but I always liked what is away from an average dentist office art.
9- How does culture use photography?
.What do they have to do with each other? I think, that they both do interplay with each other, almost like a couple: they are flirting, inspiring each other, argue and even coming to radical extremes. Out of such a relationship comes wonderful results that is thriving some many people to find new ways how to interpret each ones interplay.
10- Can you become one part of the artistic-cultural movement for motivation in youth or new generation in your country and so than?
.It is always a question of ‘can’ and ‘will’. And it always depends on a personal motivation, is popularity a priority? Or is it your self expression no 1? Two paths that are gathering two different kind of followers. For me the later was and is the driving force.
11- How can you help our world become a better place to live?
.Be an example! Like it was said, that actions speak louder than words. Follow the eternal values which are explained in detail in a few old books. But if I would have to put in short, I would say:
- Do not be afraid of anything. And now imagine, living without a fear of anything? - Install in yourself a bullshit detector.
- Be kind, very kind to others. You don’t need anything else, only those three points to keep yourself on the track of doing the world a better place to live.
12- Have you more word to say or suggestion for our readers?
.Keep reading, support weaker, help elders, listen more than do your talking, stay curious and critical. Be kind to others! Note: A- Please write down answers by English and resend me with: Link, File, YouTube and Photo If you could. B- If I have sent your questions incorrectly, please tell me for changing.
