Having started exploring the topic of masculinity a few years ago, photographer Justinas Stonkus continues it. For visitors’ appreciation – garage men and their immersive worlds.
Childhood sentiments
Driving past the garages, the gaze involuntarily turns towards them every time. It seems there is a separate social world, a peculiar ecosystem, man caves that engage them for hours on end. When thinking and talking about garages as a child, J. Stonkus did not use similar concepts, but he understood very well that everything is different in spaces behind metal doors – garages have their own rules, and time seems to stand still there.
“Dad didn’t have a garage. He had installed a storage room for various uses and creations. My grandfather had a garage. I guess there was a lot and often in it, because in order to create such a system and maintain order in it, you need to devote a lot of time to it”, J. Stonkus said that he liked to rummage among his grandfather’s things, and occasionally poke his nose into neighboring garages.
In one there was loud music, from another came men’s voices and the clatter of falling tools, and the third resembled a market stall. Having never dreamed of owning his own garage, a few years ago, when the need arose, Justin rented one right next to his house. Today, in a small room you can find a few screwdrivers, pliers and a motorcycle, the engine of which Justin turns on not just for fun.
“Together with my son, we have a kind of ritual – we turn on the engine, listen to how it works, grease the chain”, J. Stonkus wondered if the little helper will have the same memories as he did from his grandfather’s garage.
Sequel: While Justin’s own garage isn’t impressive, he often takes his son there. (Photo by Regiment Zakshensk)
Second photo project
Sentiments strengthened the need for the photo project, which turned from an idea into a body in more than a year – a photo cycle that tells about the place where modern men lose their sense of time, break away from everyday life, create and realize themselves.
“It really all started during the quarantine, when we experienced a lot of physical restrictions. I thought, if we are constrained to move in the plane, we need to move in depth. Reflections on the concept of masculinity have appeared”, according to J. Stonkaus, this is how the first photo and story project “Men open up” saw the light of day.
Picking up a camera at the beginning of last year, Justin embarked on his second project – Garage Men. The doors of ten garages opened for the photographer, and in each case, the hearts of the owners.
“I consider it the highest confidence that all the men let me into their garages, because not everyone gets there,” J. Stonkus paused at the photo that started his great journey.
Kazimieras Čeponis, the leader of the Lithuanian Biker Congress, who even had a separate tool box in his father’s garage as a child, has long cherished the dream of having his own personal space. A few years ago, he returned the storage space for the family’s belongings to its original purpose. Today, the man keeps the car of his youth, a motorcycle, and repairs equipment in the garage. Kazimieras hung Vytis on the wall, and below it – a shelf with collections of books and film recordings.
The photo in the neighborhood of biker Kazimierz tells the story of Justin’s wife’s uncle, a firefighter. In a rented garage, together with his colleagues, he repaired cars for many years. Finally bought a smaller one, moved there and continued to tinker with broken cars.
While taking pictures, I noticed a thing that unites almost all men – there are no women’s affairs in garages.
Contrasts of garages
“Meet me, here is probably the person with the most tools in all of Lithuania,” J. Stonkus introduced his third hero.
Jonas, that is the name of the owner of the garage, joked that he only needs a welding machine to complete the set, because he already has all the others. John’s garage is the complete opposite of programmer Donat’s premises. They resemble Justin’s own garage in size, and the contents are not much different. Donatas keeps just a few things and a motorcycle here.
“While photographing, I noticed a thing that unites almost all men – there are no women’s affairs in garages. Let’s say I only noticed his girlfriend’s motorcycle outfit at Donatas’s place”, while walking slowly through the exhibition hall, J. Stonkus stopped at the iconic photo that best illustrates the theme of garages and evokes the greatest sentiments for the author himself.
According to the photographer, the garage of Soviet-era rally champion Raimundos Adinavičius is very reminiscent of his grandfather. Only at my grandfather’s place was it not so spacious, and erotic calendars did not adorn the walls.
“Calendars, almost always erotic, could be found in many garages. They seemed to unite the culture of garages”, J. Stonkus continued his acquaintance with the garage in Žaliakalnis, where Raimundas has been working for almost half a century. In the premises, the racer keeps an accumulated collection of various rally tables and an old yellow flag. The photographer’s grandfather also drove the same car.
“I really hoped to find more garages like Raimundo’s…” – although it was not possible, the photographer found other atypical places.
Details: men are not only told by themselves, but also by various details, which are abundant in every garage. (Photo by Regiment Zakshensk)
Atypical caves
For example, Paulius, a knifemaker, is located in one garage, while Matas, a blacksmith from the Druskininkai district, is located in the other. No less than the works, Justin was fascinated by the history of the forge itself. Friends and relatives helped him set up the place where Matas spends his days. The door of Augustin’s residence from Kaunas also opened for Justin. Zinger and Zig Zag sewing machines hum here during the day, and movable weights in the evening.
“Augustin sews unique bags and hats. His sport is also unique. Personally, I have not yet met a person who would lift weights”, – the further story of the photographer moved him to the Kaunas district, to elementary school teacher Vidas.
In his garage, located near Ramučiai, the pedagogue keeps bicycles, of which he and his wife have several. After the tire of one of them is punctured, Vidas pulls the other one, and after the lessons he takes care of the accident that is not driving.
“There is a camper next to the garage. This is another of Vid’s passions”, the photographer said that the elementary school teacher likes to settle in the mobile home even when he is not traveling anywhere.
We ended our acquaintance with the garage men in the village of Vidmantai, at Justin’s childhood friend. Back then, he dreamed of becoming a car designer, after finishing his studies in Klaipėda, he chose to work as a locksmith and now restores cars. He likes American and Scandinavian vehicles the most.
“In the garage, regardless of the nature of the work, there is a meticulous order. It left an impression on me”, J. Stonkus hoped that the exhibition of his works, which will be on display until May 21, will also leave an impression on the visitors of the Kaunas Cultural Center.
Where the garage men will travel next is not yet clear. In Justin’s calendar, only November of this year is marked, when the photos will be exhibited in the Palanga city library.
Photo of regiment Zakshensk.
