Lithuanian National Museum together with the French Institute in Lithuania and Vilnius City Municipality is starting a unique art project - in Vilnius, on the slope of Mount Gediminas, a work by the famous French artist Saype will appear - a huge ephemeral mural. Saype has already implemented the "Beyond Walls" project in as many as 20 cities around the world: from Geneva and Berlin to Dubai and Cairo.
Saype will paint the mural on September 6-17. The entire creative process can be observed by visiting the foot of Mount Gediminas, in the courtyard of the Lithuanian National Museum, next to Pilininka's house, and on September 17, the presentation of the work and free "Fanflures de France" will take place. concert, intended for residents of Vilnius and guests of the city.
Saype's fresco is a symbol of Lithuania and France
During the presentation of the project to the media, the Director General of the Lithuanian National Museum, Rūta Kačkutė, emphasized that "the National Museum of Lithuania sees great meaning in being a part of this event. It is important for the museum that we can accept the artist Saype and his project "Beyond Walls" and give his artwork one of the most important spaces in Vilnius and Lithuania - Mount Gediminas."
The work of the French artist, which can be seen on the slope of Mount Gediminas, will depict clasped hands and spread a symbolic message of friendship, common values and unity between France and Lithuania.
"This mural is a work of art that combines several symbolic meanings - it is a message about the friendship between France and Lithuania, about our common values. And at the same time, a work reminiscent of the experience of the Baltic Way, because this historical event responds to the main idea of the artist - to talk about the desire for unity, cooperation and mutual help", noted R. Kačkutė.
The general director of the museum said that the season of Lithuania in France and the "Echoes of France in Lithuania" program are another proof of this commonality.
The decision to implement the project on the slope of Mount Gediminas was thoroughly considered and coordinated with the responsible authorities in order to ensure that the creation of the mural not only does not harm the mountain, but also complements this space with a new artistic accent. The hillside where the mural will appear is reinforced with long-term measures.
"I also thank Saype - for your creative talent, for your determination to create this special work in our city. This work will appear on the national symbol of the state of Lithuania - Mount Gediminas, and later it will invite us to join the chain of people as well", thanked the general director of the museum, R. Kačkutė.
Inspired by the Baltic Way
The "Beyond Walls" project already covers 20 cities around the world, and Vilnius will become the 21st.
"The National Museum of Lithuania is proud to be in such an honorable and beautiful society," said R. Kačkutė, emphasizing that this project symbolizes the desire to unite regardless of cultural or geographical boundaries.
The artist himself, who visited Lithuania a year ago to get to know the surroundings of the future work, said: "When I discovered the Baltic Way in the Gediminas Castle Tower exhibition of the Lithuanian National Museum and saw the photos, I felt as if Vilnius had been waiting for me."
Saype will create the mural using environmentally friendly, natural paints that will completely decompose over time, leaving no trace in nature, but remaining in people's memory.
The French artist creates monumental paintings on grass and soil. He himself invented unique environmentally friendly paints based on chalk and coal.
Saype is one of the first artists of the movement combining street art and land art. Due to his responsible approach and the innovative technology used, Forbes magazine recognized him as one of the thirty most influential young people (under 30) in the field of art and culture. With his poetic and ephemeral works, he aims to influence the consciousness of people all over the world without harming nature.
Saype also noted that our lives and actions will inevitably become the imprint of our existence in this world. What that footprint will be is up to us.
After the completion of the mural work, a chain of people holding hands will be formed at the foot of Mount Gediminas. The symbolic human chain will be photographed from a bird's eye view using a drone. On September 17, the creative process will be crowned with a free "Fanflures de France" concert for Vilnius residents and city guests.
"Echoes of France in Lithuania" reflects Lithuania's season in France
"Echoes of France in Lithuania" is a multidisciplinary program that will take place throughout Lithuania from September 12 this year. until December 12 The program is intended to promote the exchange of creativity, ideas and knowledge between France and Lithuania, to strengthen cultural dialogue and cooperation. On this occasion, French artists, academics, architects and designers will visit Lithuania, participate in discussions, creative workshops and other cultural activities.
Special attention will be paid to the interaction between ecology, heritage conservation and contemporary art, and cooperation between universities will also be strengthened. During the program, various arts and cultures will take place events, including festivals, concerts, dance performances and gastronomic events. "Echoes of France in Lithuania" takes place at the same time as the Lithuanian season in France.
Events of the Lithuanian National Museum during the Lithuanian season in France
During the Lithuanian season in France, the National Museum of Lithuania offers a diverse, multi-faceted and multi-meaningful program. September 13 The exhibition "Kazys Varnelis" by optical art master Kazis Varnelis opens at the Pompidou Art Center in Paris. Classicist from Lithuania" (curators Indrė Urbelytė and Michel Gauthier).
On September 21-22, the Museum of Resistance and Deportations in Grenoble will host the storytelling performance "Guerrilla Songs". Milda Varnauskaitė, the exhibition curator of the National Museum of Lithuania, together with other performers - French Ariane Pawin and Ukrainian Maryna Voznyuk - will tell women's stories.
October 2 The Vasarely Foundation, located in Aix-en-Provence, in the south of France, opens the "Ethnographic Opart" exhibition (curator Indrė Urbelytė).
Louvre on October 16. a Paris-wide round table discussion on "Rethinking Identity: Museums and Heritage in the Context of War" will take place. In the same week, the MARTA training program of the museum competence development program administered by the National Museum of Lithuania will take place in the Louvre, the aim of which is to improve the professional abilities of Lithuanian museum workers.
