This year, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, the CUP shopping center has become a living space for the artist's work. Vilnius residents and guests are invited to join the unique interdisciplinary art project "Čiurlionis' World", which combines fashion design, contemporary interpretations, and a creative look at the artist's life and legacy.
Čiurlionis' world is still relevant after many years
The author of the idea and curator of the exhibition, Vilnius Academy of Arts professor Jolanta Talaikytė, says that MK Čiurlionis's work remains relevant today.
"Times change, we change, and the source of inspiration has been inexhaustible for more than 100 years. The language of Čiurlionis's diverse creativity is understandable to everyone and everywhere, but most importantly - from heart to heart. His genius lies in the fact that he was able to create in two different languages at once - the language of art and music," says Professor J. Talaikytė.
The exhibition aims to expand the palette of artistic languages, combining not only art, design, and music, but also responding to important current issues – intergenerational unity, education, creative exchange, and the dissemination of Lithuanian culture, connecting cultural memory with the present.
“Our project is not only a great opportunity to get to know, perhaps rediscover, the sublime world of Čiurlionis' light, to come together for various artistic activities from large to small, but also inspiring impulses to reveal and draw on creativity, to share special moments, experiences, and emotions,” says J. Talaikytė.
At the opening event of the exhibition, the jury awarded the most impressive works of young exhibition participants, VDA students. The works of Austėja Malakaitė, Gerūta Navickaitė, the creative duo Gabrielė Meiner and Mija Ruminaitė were recognized. Kotryna Pavalkytė was awarded the special prize of the company "Avenueart". The works of Mila Saulė Kliučinskaitė, Kajas Lementauskas, Giedrius Žilinskas, Kamilė Jucaitė and Jorė Steikūnaitė were appreciated by the audience.
"Čiurlionis' Beloved" and creative workshops for children
The project “Čiurlionis' World” includes creative interpretations of the VDA Fashion Design Department students' “Letters to Čiurlionis”, inspired by the life of MK Čiurlionis; a fashion design exhibition “Čiurlionis' Beloveds”, authored by designer VDA Prof. Jolanta Talaikytė; creative workshops “Let's Grow Wings” for children – curator of the project and creative workshops, VDA lecturer Rūta Kvaščevičiūtė–Mikalauskė.
"These fashion sketches are a vision of the past, like a hazy tulle curtain, like a dream floating between reality and imagination. This is my personal attempt to sensitively touch those closest to Čiurlionis. A silent thank you for being there. For quietly bringing love and care to the man who gave the world the star sonata, the tales of kings and cosmic music. Let this be a reminder that a genius never creates alone - behind his every step stand those who loved him, strong, inspiring women - a source of peace, warmth and spiritual closeness, without which his work is unimaginable," says J. Talaikytė.
The creative workshop "Let's Grow Wings" for children promoted the artistic process of self-expression through the interpretation of MK Čiurlionis' iconic angel wings symbol and various means of visual expression.
"Workshops for children are not only a creative challenge, but also a fun adventure that allows you to look at the world through the eyes of an artist, while at the same time freeing your imagination and ideas," says lecturer Rūta Kvaščevičiūtė-Mikalauskė, curator of the project and workshops.
An opportunity to experience high art in the heart of the city
The exhibition not only presents the works of MK Čiurlionis, but also offers various educational activities for visitors of different ages, promoting creativity and intercultural dialogue. The creators were helped to implement such an interdisciplinary project by the exhibition partner, the CUP shopping center.
"The CUP shopping center is a part of the city where very different people meet every day, and such exhibitions allow us to transform this space not only into a point of movement, but also a point of stopping and inspiration. Our goal is to create a place where culture becomes a natural part of city life, accessible to everyone. We are happy to be a space where art, community and everyday life merge," says Ona Nevinskienė, manager of the CUP shopping center.
The free exhibition, open to all visitors, is on display on the fifth floor of the CUP shopping center from May 15 to October 6.
