Jiedu and his then-boyfriend were attacked on the street, but they themselves faced accusations – allegedly they were too conspicuous, walking hand in hand. Now, a year later, the widely publicized performance will become a deconstructed fashion musical and will invite to a court – the presentation of a new collection in Lukiškės Prison on October 14.
“Probably many have already heard our story, as it attracted interest not only from Lithuanian but also foreign press, and it reached the European Court of Human Rights. Four years ago, my ex-boyfriend and I were walking home and were attacked by a neighbor. After this incident, an investigation took place, legal processes began, but instead of an apology, we heard statements that we were to blame – ‘too conspicuous,’ that we ‘openly demonstrated a romantic relationship.’ Even when talking to law enforcement officers, we heard suspicions like ‘maybe you yourselves behaved provocatively?’ Comments like ‘I don’t blame you, but you are to blame… you need to behave properly in public’ kept coming up. This topic also became the focus of my final project at Vilnius College of Design. People who commit crimes go to prison, and we, LGBT+, are also like in prison because we cannot be ‘too conspicuous,’ we cannot publicly show feelings,” recalls L. Svirplys.
According to him, the same problem exists not only when talking about the LGBT community: “Victims of violence are accused of wearing skirts that are too short, a teenage girl beaten and humiliated in a city park becomes guilty herself because she commented incorrectly on social networks before. Such stories are increasing, so some even fear and do not seek help, knowing what kind of lynch mob might await. The relevance of the problem remains, so last year’s performance turned into an even bigger idea.”
When starting to explore in more detail the blaming of victims, the process itself, and the formation of public opinion, the concept of the “Themselves to Blame” project expanded. On October 14, in a very symbolic place, the spaces of Lukiškės Prison, the presentation of his fashion collection will be held, turning into an improvised court session, with all the reflecting attributes and symbols.
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What happens next – invisible to the public
“After writing the project, I received a grant from the Culture Council and began creating something that, in my opinion, had not yet existed in Lithuania – a kind of fashion musical. We started collaborating with the organization ‘Ribologija,’ they consult and contribute to the writing of the future script. Part of the funds collected during the event will be allocated to this organization’s activities related to sexual violence using date rape drugs. The time has come to hold a trial, to find out if we ourselves are really to blame? In this way, I want to give voice to situations that are uncomfortable, that require public awareness. To draw attention to what victims actually experience not only during the incident but also afterward, when they face ambiguous public reactions, numerous comments online. What happens next is no less important but often invisible. A person begins to blame themselves – maybe they ‘live incorrectly,’ ‘behaved incorrectly.’ In court, they receive hints that maybe they shouldn’t have held hands, maybe they should have dressed less conspicuously, maybe the skirt should have been longer… We will try to delve into these questions together with people. I call the upcoming event a deconstructed fashion musical. It is not a fully standard musical format. There will be not only an unusual environment, a fashion collection, but also a collection of music, dance, and conversations. I invite everyone to the court session, I want to create a new format and I believe in it very much. I believe in the power of such ideas,” says the famous artist.
So who will really remain guilty in court? The viewer, the circumstance, the victim, the system, society? The case hearing will take place on October 14 at Lukiškės Prison.
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