Čiurlionis' forest in Canada

Čiurlionis’ Forest in Canada - a visual journey through the forests of Canada

The international duo "Piano Phase Project" presents their latest creative work - the artistic film "Sound Meditation" created in the forests of Western Canada, exploring the connection between humans, forests, music, and community. Pianists Monika Lozinskienė and Anna Szalucka (Poland/Great Britain) spent three weeks in August 2023 at an artist residency in Gibsons, Canada, collaborating intensively with the film's producer and director, Bruce Devereux (Canada), and Japanese artist Makiko Kitama, who painted forest canvases inspired by M.K. Čiurlionis' works.

The concept for this film originated when the pianists created an original arrangement for M.K. Čiurlionis' symphonic poem "In the Forest" for four hands on the piano. The artists were inspired by the mysticism & fantasy of Čiurlionis' work and his innovative look at combining different art forms.

The "Sound Meditation" project is a synthesis of visual arts, nature, classical, improvisational, and electronic music.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

• MUSIC - during the film premiere, you will hear live performances by pianists Monika and Anna playing works by C. Debussy, M. Ravel, and M.K. Čiurlionis. The film soundtrack is composed by pianist Anna Szalucka, with the sound design by music producer Keir Craxton (UK).
• TEXT - intertwined with the music, you will hear readings by pianist Monika Lozinskienė. The authors of the texts are Victor Wooten, M.K. Čiurlionis, and Monika Lozinskienė.
• VISUALS - you will travel through the damp forests of the Canadian midlands, surrounded by tall trees and the gentle rustling of leaves, getting a closer look into the forest ecosystem and visiting the "deer crossing the art farm" residency together with the musicians.
• CONVERSATION - after the screening, the performers will invite you to meet the filmmaker Bruce Devereux (65) and Japanese artist Makiko Kitama (61). Bruce and Makiko are two inspiring individuals. In 2023, they ran an 80 km ultramarathon together in Canada. B. Devereux is a recreation therapist whose career has ranged from pediatrics to elderly care. His ongoing collaboration with artists has led him to achieve his long-held dream of creating artistic and documentary films. Moderator - Kotryna Lingienė.
• MUSICIANS - Since 2019, the duo has been conceptualizing classical music compositions with other art forms. Their first creative works - the musical installations "Summertime" and "Piano Phase" - were showcased at the "MO" museum in Lithuania. Since 2022 pianists are represented by the City Music Foundation - musicians' agency in London. The dynamic duo has appeared in St. Martin In The Fields, St. Barts Heritage, Wiltshire Music Centre, Sienko Gallery and Bloomsbury Festival in Great Britain. In 2025 the piano duo will be touring Scotland as The Tunnel Trust prize winners.

Project is partly funded by the Vilnius municipality culture fund and Lithuanian Council for Culture.