Magic Carpets is thrilled to present the documentary Birth of a Superorganism by videographer Mindaugas Drigotas.
Superorganism was the title of the final event in the last edition (2022–2025) of the EU Creative Europe platform Magic Carpets. An international exhibition, symposium and storybook formed the core of this multifaceted event. Videographer Mindaugas Drigotas followed the team of emerging curators for over 17 months to capture the behind-the-scenes moments and emotions throughout the organisational process for Tartu – the European Capital of Culture 2024.
Mindaugas Drigotas, freelance journalist and videographer, stated: “I never thought that this Magic Carpets journey would take me this far – from the first video stories about artists and communities to capturing the birth of a huge event. I filmed, interviewed and collected all the material for this film over a little more than a year and a half.
When we visit such an event, we enjoy the images, installations, discussions and performances – but we probably rarely pay attention to or wonder how it is born.
We probably don’t know that sometimes the preparation, Zoom conversations and in-person meetings take more than a year. After selecting the spaces for the installation, the designers consider how to create harmony between the artworks and the setting. The artworks themselves are transported from various European countries – travelling thousands of kilometres by ship, plane or car. Their installation and preparation take days. Many of these and other small but significant details – which remain unseen when we view the work of art that makes our hearts beat faster – are hidden from the audience.
Therefore, in this film, I aimed to show how such event is created step by step – by bringing together many different people and their skills without wasting time. By collaborating and supporting one another, we create something beautiful and meaningful from small details and individual contributions. That is what I want you to feel in this film.”
More than 40 hours of raw footage – filmed in Lithuania, Malta, Serbia and Estonia – were transformed into this documentary. First shown in Kaunas at the Magic Carpets Platform Partners Meeting in March 2025, the video is now available online. Brigita Bareikytė, Magic Carpets Curator, commented on the short film Birth of a Superorganism: “It felt like a true celebration to see the Superorganism film on the big screen in a real cinema space – a beautifully symbolic end to a very influential project, both personally and professionally. I remember Mindaugas always following the implementation process of Superorganism events. Yet it felt as though he was always there as a companion – a dear friend, not a cameraman. I think that is proof of a highly professional way of working.
Some of the moments captured in the film I remember completely differently. For example, I recall parts of the process when I wanted to cry – they felt disastrous – but in Mindaugas’ footage, my laughter is captured, which shows that humans sometimes deal with stress in very unexpected ways.”
The documentary short film Birth of a Superorganism is available on YouTube:
Magic Carpets is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The project in Lithuania is financed by the Lithuanian Culture Institute.