Writing workshop “It Is Merely a Simple Possession”

On Saturday 7 March at 14.00, the writing workshop “It Is Merely a Simple Possession” with the young-generation artist Ona Barbora Šlapšinskaitė will take place at the Exhibition Hall of the Klaipėda Culture Communication Centre (KCCC), Didžioji Vandens g. 2. What will we do? We will create a dialogue between ourselves and the ghost of a relative.

„Ona: And why can’t they rise again in dreams. Or like you?

Jonas: Dreams dreams dreams dreams…

Ona: And are you really my relative? There is too little hysteria in your voice.

Jonas: Stallions, stallions, stallions, stallions!“

– from the video work “Don’t Get Me Wrong, This Is Not a Simple Possession”

Conversations with relatives are often difficult, full of misunderstandings and of one’s own interpretations — especially if the relative is also from the world of the dead. But perhaps it is possible to find a common language even with a ghost?

During the writing workshop, participants are invited to create an imagined dialogue with the ghost of a relative whom they no longer remember or never knew.

During the workshop the artist’s video work “Don’t Get Me Wrong, This Is Not a Simple Possession” will be presented, in which collective memory and the trajectories of its expression in a postcolonial context are reflected upon through personal family history and autobiographical motifs.

While writing the conversations between Ona and Jonas, the author found herself touching upon the family myths that surrounded her great-grandfather and upon traumas passed down the generations. During the session the author will share what went on behind the scenes of the work and her creative methods.

Participants are encouraged to come to the workshop having already thought about which of their ancestors they would like to “talk to”. A recommendation before coming: look round the exhibition and draw inspiration from it.

ONA BARBORA ŠLAPŠINSKAITĖ is an artist and educator living in Vilnius. Using auto- and biographical facts and weaving them into fictional narratives, the artist attempts to bring out the influence of history and ideological heritage on past, present and future identities. She is the winner of the main award of the competitive exhibition “JCDecaux Prize 2024: Autumn”. Since 2026 she has been a member of the Lithuanian Interdisciplinary Artists’ Union.

Duration: up to 2 hours

The number of participants is limited. Registration is required. Registration link here.

Free of charge.

Please note that participants may appear in photographs and video recordings of the event published in various media.