Vytauto Osvaldo Virkau meno vizija

LTKnyga - apie meno pasaulyje gerai žinomo dailininko Vytauto Osvaldo Virkau (g. 1930 m. Šiauliuose) gyvenimą ir kūrybą. Nuo 1950 m. gyvena Čikagoje. Vienas pirmųjų tautiečių Amerikoje studijavęs meną, vėliau dėstė meno istoriją, grafiką, tapybą, vadovavo meno fakultetui. Platus, erdvus meno laukas: tapyba, knygų grafika, scenografija, ekslibrisai, pašto ženklų projektavimas ir kt. Aktyvus lietuvybės ir tautiškumo puoselėtojas.

ENWriting a book about Vytautas Osvaldas Virkau was not as simple as it might seem - the painter offered me to prepare just a short biography (maximum one page length) and a replication of any of his works for his forthcoming anniversary. And by all means, to leave out his thoughts, manner of working, acquaintanceship, and the like. The shorter, the better. When asked whether there were any secrets that could not be disclosed, the artist did not change his opinion, only made an ironie remark that was so typical of him, „Now then, if there were secrets, they would at least make it interesting". Now then? Now I do not even know what is going to happen. I had been working on that single page, and it escaped my notice when that page started resembling a book. I have no idea how I will ехріаіп myself. If Vytautas' disposition resembled that of bright memory Żibuntas Mikśys, I would know what I should expect. Maybe 1 can get away somehow. Anyhow, V. O. Virkau's highly impressive biography and noteworthy works could not allow me to make that page any shorter. Irrespective of his anniversary, it is about time a wider Lithuanian audience learned about Vytautas since he is well known throughout the world. I do not know if I have severely offended the artist whom I have had the honour to know for a quarter of a century. I hope Vytautas will forgive me. However I will not forgive myself for being unable to convince him of the necessity of the book.