Conceptual Socio-Educational Art Project (IN)VISIBLE
(IN)VISIBLE is a project of conceptual photographs and authentic audio recordings focusing on people living with 'invisible' chronic health conditions. Each of the project's 10 photographs features individuals with chronic physical health conditions that are invisible to the eye or hard to recognise, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and others. The project made these chronic health conditions 'visible' through carefully chosen metaphors, special effects makeup, and other creative means.
Additionally, each photo includes a textual description created by medical professionals, with input from patients and other contributors, providing a deeper understanding of different chronic conditions.
The second part of the project—audio recordings—reveals authentic stories and experiences of 15 people living with chronic physical health conditions, showcasing their impact on daily life, mental health, and psychological well-being.
(IN)VISIBLE, as a synthesis of art, medicine, and mental health fields, aims to introduce the public to a common but overlooked phenomenon: chronic physical health conditions. The project also reveals that life with a chronic health condition should be perceived neither as a tragedy nor as a romanticised story. At the same time, one of the main questions this project raises is: what connections exist between people's physical and mental health?
Author of the idea and project: visual artist Gabija Gaidjurgyte
Partners of the initiative: non-governmental organisation Mental Health Perspectives
First public presentation of the project at Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania
Captured by Mindaugas Mockevičius and Rita Stankevičiūtė
Group exhibition Threads of Being – A creative call to action for the future of mental health in Europe at TALK C.E.C art gallery, Brussels, Belgium
The works featured in in Threads of being explore how art and culture help us understand ourselves, each other, and the world around us. Through the exhibition visitors are invited into a conversation about mental health and the circumstances that shape it. They are asked: What can we learn about lived experience and creative expression? What would it take to build a Europe where we can all live a life of quality?
The link between arts and mental health has been well documented. Creative expression is one of the ways we can communicate and express our complex and intangible experiences. Art can help us mediate the relationship between our inner and outer lives; to better understand the world around us and what it means to be in it. Through art and culture, we can examine and appreciate what connects us and what divides us – the threads of being. The experience of being and creating together is in itself powerful and important.
Moments captured by Elio Germani
Project participants and models: Lorenas Čijauskas, Marius Stankevičius, Monika Kudrevičiūtė, Lukas Kačiulis, Indrė Juknevičienė, Tomas Martinėlis, Ana Staševičienė, Vytenis Ardišauskas, Laura Valainienė, Erika Mickeliūnaitė, Kristina Svitojienė, Ugnė Svitojūtė.
Creative team: Vaida Ruginytė, Evelina Markevičiūtė, Livita Žvaliauskaitė, Justė Lapinskaitė, Milana Zarianova, Edita Rudakaitė Šaukštel, Ieva Stelmakavičiūtė, Ugnė Adomaitytė, Evelina Baranauskaitė, Ingrida Ikanevičiūtė.
Photo retouching: Evelina Markevičiūtė, Gabija Gaidjurgytė.
Photo printing: Darius Šulčius (sulmedia.lt).
Special assistance in project development: Ugnė Grigaitė, Greta Klidziūtė, Kristina Mačulska.
Recording and processing of people's stories: Vilniaus kino studija
Authors of textual descriptions of chronic conditions: Anastasija Zuzo (MD), Ana Staševičienė, Beatričė Vileišytė (MD), Eleonora Ivanova (MD), Mantė Šmigelskaitė (MD), Marija Šarnauskaitė, Paulius Montvila, Tomas Martinėlis, Vika Jaskevičiūtė.
Author of project visuals: Fausta Dambrauskaitė.
Other partners: MiniFotostudija, Kryolan Professional Make Up Lithuania.