Artūras Barysas

Artūras Barysas "Baras" (May 10, 1954 – January 28, 2005) was a Lithuanian actor, singer, photographer, and filmmaker, known as a member of the counter-culture and the father of modern Lithuanian avant-garde.

As a teenager moved from Panevėžys to Vilnius, where finished the school 22 [lt] in Antakalnis. In 8th grade entered moviemaking circle in a Pioneers Palace. After the school attempted to enter Moscow institute of cinematography, but was rejected because of strong myopia.

In Soviet period lived on sight-disability pension and reselling of rare books and Western music records. Actively participated in underground culture of Lithuania. In late years suffered from alcoholism. He died in his sleep.

The debut film Alchemy, made by Barysas and his class-mates, won a prise of Moscow festival of amateur filmmakers. After the school Barysas entered the Lithuanian union of amateur filmmakers, where he administrated festivals and presented Lithuanians at festivals in other republics of USSR.

The position of official amateur allowed to evade censure, but at the same time to reach an audience in regular festivals all over USSR. Thus the Barysas' film He is wanted shows hippies, transvestite and nude scenes and Her love tells about gerontophilic relations, all of which was not allowed in Soviet professional movies. The filmmakers union also provided cameras and other gear.

After the end of Soviet era, with popularisation of video-cameras, Barysas left the filmmaking and switched to music career in post-punk band I.V.T.K.Y.G.Y.G..

He was a vocalist of an avant-garde band I.V.T.K.Y.G.Y.G. (Ir Visa Tai Kas Yra Gražu Yra Gražu, "And Everything That Is Beautiful, Is Beautiful").

Barysas often played the main roles in his own films (He is wanted, B. and Ch., This sweet word). In 1989 he also performed the main character in Vidmantas Gaigalas' film The only child (Vienturtis).