Luni GRS 1

What?

‘Building Goddess’ is an ~15-minute experimental documentary (or visual essay) inspired by the Goddess Religion theories founded by Lithuanian/American mytharcheologist Marija Gimbutas. By taking the current geological age (problems) into account, this documentary explores and questions (and somehow visualizes) myth genesis and the effects myths has on today’s world. By revisiting/remembering the history and reasons for switching to a patriarchal society the contemporary Goddess of Anthropocene is being rebuilt. Why do you want to make it? (Three sentences max)

Why?

My initial motivation to re/create a Lithuanian contemporary Goddess stemmed from the desire to dive deeper into the old Pagan tradition in Lithuania to further reconnect with my Lithuanian roots. After discovering Marija Gimbuta’s theories and ideas it seems important for me to shine a light and visualize it. Marija Gimbutas got back in time with her archeological discoveries to re-evaluate the way archeology is perceived today and encourages us to question established narratives. I am hoping to achieve the same - to inspire viewers to regain the balance in the world by exploring the realms of imagination and truth.

How?

( I started by extensive research of the Goddess religion and myth, which led me and open up many different related topics (e.g.. witchcraft/witch hunt), and found some other feminist thinkers’ theories (e.g.. Silvia Federici) that I found very useful for this project)

I need to narrow down my research. I need to gather material and experiment with editing which will help me to feel more comfortable and will answer some questions of what will be the final visual form. I need to write my own myth of the Goddess of Anthropocene to use as the voiceover for a draft.

Timetable :

September 12 – September 20 write a myth, record a voice-over, and write a text with a cut-out technique. Continue reading and researching.

September 20 – first draft done

September 21 – November 17 continue intuitive editing, researching, collecting material, and shaping everything into the project proposal and thesis outline.

November 17 – December 4 writing the first thesis chapter, editing, experimenting further. ............-............. Do the same again, (will update the steps needed as producing)

April 19 – final thesis.

Relation to previous practice

I usually begin working on projects by having a small, narrow idea that expands into something else and I’m often motivated by the interest to re/connect to my Lithuanian cultural identity. This time my initial idea was to make a film about a contemporary Goddess of Love Milda while researching Lithuanian Paganism. As past and present are strongly entangled, I was interested in evaluating its effects. My practice is mostly research/process based - this time going back further in time and researching traditional Lithuanian religion has brought me to discover that Goddess Religion might actually have been the most ancient religion, yet, not as widely spoken or known today.

Choices made It’s going to be some sort of film. It will not have a traditional narrative structure – an experimental documentary that I will build upon while researching (theoretic and practical research) relevant topics. I choose to feel comfortable to feel lost. I want the visual style to have a quite futuristic feeling while being mixed with natural, ancient elements (???)). PREHISTORIC FUTURISTIC.

Rapid prototypes :

1. Make one Goddess out of Goddess figurines images.

2. Take 5 different Screenshots out of the video footage that I already have.

3. Make 5 different Ancient Lithuanian symbol (Folk art) screenshots.

4. Make collage out of all the previous steps.