Not currently on display at the V&A

IS 016 (1944-1991), Former NKVD - MVD - MGB - KGB Buildings, 13 Vytanto Street, Prienu Miestas, 2009

Photograph
2009 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Indre Serpytyte's series of photographs 'Former NKVD - MVD - MGB - KGB Buildings' is centred on the after effects of WWII in Lithuania. Her black and white images of houses tell with graceful economy the poignant and almost forgotten story of what she calls a 'brutal, inhumane' war, in which people were interrogated and tortured in what were once family homes. She commissioned hand-carved wooden models from a Lithuanian craftsperson who based them on her photographs and archival imagery of the houses which Serpytype revisited and researched in depth. Rather than representing the buildings themselves, or showing the inhabitants or victims directly, Serpytyte chooses a diverse approach in which the photographs of the models are the finished artworks. In using models, and a collaborative working process based on archival research and site visits, she is commenting on both the physical and humanitarian scale and memory of the events as filtered over time. In total her works make a powerful humanitarian statement about resistance, memory, fortitude and the long process of healing after trauma.


Object details

Category
Object type
TitleIS 016 (1944-1991), Former NKVD - MVD - MGB - KGB Buildings, 13 Vytanto Street, Prienu Miestas, 2009 (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lamba fibre base print mounted on 8 ply cotton board and framed
Brief description
Photograph by Indre Serpytyte, 'IS 016 (1944-1991), Former NKVD - MVD - MGB - KGB Buildings, 13 Vytanto Street, Prienu Miestas, 2009', Lamba fibre base print, edition 2/5 and 1 AP.
Physical description
Black and white photograph of a model of a house.
Dimensions
  • Length: 62.6cm
  • Height: 50.8cm
Copy number
2/5 and 1 AP
Marks and inscriptions
Label on verso, with signature: IS 016 (1944-1991) Former NKVD - MVD - MGB - KGB Buildings 13 Vytanto Street, Prienu Miestas, 2009 Lamba Fibre base print, ed. 2/5 and 1 AP 62.6 cm x 50.8 cm mounted on 8 ply cotton board
Credit line
Given by Indre Serpytyte
Place depicted
Summary
Indre Serpytyte's series of photographs 'Former NKVD - MVD - MGB - KGB Buildings' is centred on the after effects of WWII in Lithuania. Her black and white images of houses tell with graceful economy the poignant and almost forgotten story of what she calls a 'brutal, inhumane' war, in which people were interrogated and tortured in what were once family homes. She commissioned hand-carved wooden models from a Lithuanian craftsperson who based them on her photographs and archival imagery of the houses which Serpytype revisited and researched in depth. Rather than representing the buildings themselves, or showing the inhabitants or victims directly, Serpytyte chooses a diverse approach in which the photographs of the models are the finished artworks. In using models, and a collaborative working process based on archival research and site visits, she is commenting on both the physical and humanitarian scale and memory of the events as filtered over time. In total her works make a powerful humanitarian statement about resistance, memory, fortitude and the long process of healing after trauma.
Collection
Accession number
E.404-2009

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJuly 24, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSON