In May, the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum of the National Museum of Lithuania invites you to discover another passion of the famous optical artist, collector and bibliophile Kazys Varnelis – his love for books. May 7th is the Day of the Restoration of the Press, Language and Book, so to mark this occasion, the museum will host a month-long event dedicated to the art of books. events, exhibitions and education for families.
The museum is currently hosting an exhibition of the most beautiful Czech and Lithuanian books, revealing the trends in the art of printed books in Lithuania and the Czech Republic in recent years. This exhibition, which takes place annually, introduces publications that have won awards in book art competitions, evaluated for their graphic quality, original design, conceptuality, and printing craftsmanship.
Throughout May, on Saturdays at 14 p.m., the museum will host guided tours of the Kazys Varnelis Library, revealing the history and values of this extraordinary bibliophile collection. Tour participants will get a close-up look at the most impressive and valuable publications, and get acquainted with the library's new exhibition, presenting the diversity of book designs collected by Kazys Varnelis and the creators of the publications themselves.
"The book accompanied Kazys Varnelis throughout his life - as a link between knowledge and aesthetic experience, a witness to historical memory. The artist and his wife Gabrielė Varnelienė were passionate bibliophiles and collectors, who amassed a rich collection of Lithuanian heritage, bibliophile publications and art albums. The celebration of the recovery of the press, language and book is celebrated on May 7, and we invite museum guests to devote the entire month of May to books and the press, to experience the value of books and look at the art of books as an integral part of visual culture through the impressive collection accumulated by K. Varnelis," shares Dr. Daiva Vaišnienė, director of the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum.
Educational program for both children and adults
A creative education program has been prepared for young visitors and their parents, in which artists participate - authors of the most beautiful Lithuanian books of 2024, laureates of the Book Art Competition.
May 3rd at 15 p.m. – education with illustrator Lina Itagaki “What did your Bob swallow?” This education is intended for children aged 3–6. Young museum guests will hear the artist tell a story about the rascal Bob and then be able to think up and draw what else the main character of the story could have chewed.
May 10th at 15 pm – education with illustrator Simona Buze “Map of Me and the Fox”, inspired by the book “Sister”. The education will involve creating a map of favorite real or imaginary places, combining illustrations drawn by the artist and education participants using the collage principle. We will boldly cut, glue and look for the most fun places to meet with a sister, brother or friend. The education is intended for children of all ages.
May 17th at 15 p.m. – education with illustrator Kornelija Žalpytė “Create your own diorama”, inspired by Jurga Vilė and Kornelija Žalpytė’s book “My Friend the Hippopotamus Unicorn”. The book tells the story of a journey to an underwater circus. During the education, children and their parents will be able to imagine and create a variety of ocean inhabitants who wish to enter the mysterious underwater circus.
May 24th. 15 p.m. – creative workshop with the winner of the 2024 Book Art Competition main prize, illustrator Inga Navickaite-Drąsute “Notebook Design Workshop”. Workshop participants will create an exclusive notebook based on the visual and tactile design solutions used in Erika Povilonytė’s book “La vaste raison des gestes”. Everyone will be able to become the designer of their own notebook, diary or work plan – choosing the canvas, paper, and composing the cover. Various paper scraps and a very simple binding method will be used, so you can continue to fill out the notebook after the workshop. If you have important clippings or letters, we are happy to invite you to bring them. The education is intended for people of all ages.
May 31st at 15 p.m. – creative workshop with artist Siguta Chlebinskaite “Tuk tuk. Who’s there? Open the door” based on the work of Bruno Munari. Bruno Munari (1907–1998) – a contemporary of Kazys Varnelis and one of the most influential Italian artists, who actively created for about sixty years, in the 4s–10s, influencing the fields of painting, industrial and authorial graphic design, and creative education. Participants of the event will learn creative thinking while playing and get acquainted with the art of books. The creative workshop is intended for people of all ages.
Exhibitions and events are organized by the Kazys Varnelis House-Museum, a division of the National Museum of Lithuania, in cooperation with the Museum of the Republic of Lithuania. The Ministry of Culture, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vilnius, the project "Country of Books" and the Book Art Competition.
The exhibition of the most beautiful Czech and Lithuanian books will be open until May 25.
