From sculpture to punk culture and community divination in Antakalni to the expansion of the Patiltė lodge under the Liubart bridge, along with the entire cultural program dedicated specifically to this space - ten new art projects became finalists of the "Kuriu Vilnių" program.
"For the fifth time, Vilnius brings together artists who are indifferent to the city, who are determined to move art from the center to residential areas far from the center. Another ten previously faceless public spaces of the city will gain uniqueness, and you can feel the art just by going for a walk in your neighborhood," says Rūta Matonienė, chief advisor of the Cityscape Department.
Ten project winners were selected from 48 ideas submitted by artists. They were evaluated by an independent commission of nine experts, composed of well-known competent specialists in fine art, architecture, art studies, cultural heritage and other specialists: Aušra Trakšelytė, curator of the National Art Gallery, Tad Balčiūnas, Chairman of the Board of the Vilnius Branch of the Lithuanian Architects' Union, Albert Kazlauskas, guide, initiative Rūta Kedytė, founder of Gatvė gyvos, marketing project manager of Go Vilnius, Eglė Gandas Bagdonienė, artist, chairwoman of the Lithuanian Artists' Union, professor of VDA, Saulės Marijas Mažeikaitė-Teiberė, chairperson of the Lithuanian Artists' Union Vilnius art section, art critic, dr. Tomas Vaiseta, cultural historian, lecturer at VU History Faculty, dr. Inga Urbonaitė-Vadoklienė, architect, head of "Idejas miestui" and Milda Ivanauskienė, MO Museum representatives.
Before signing the contract, one more stage awaits the winners of the tender - the preparation of technical projects. After that, the artists will implement the projects in different spaces of the capital within a year and a half from the date of signing the contract.
"This year, the selected projects are particularly closely related to community involvement, so residents will have the opportunity to become part of their implementation process. This is especially important in order for art to take root in living spaces and become part of the community's identity", R. Matonienė notes.
The "Patilė II" project is the extension of the already existing outdoor cinema space under the Liubart bridge with its second part for film screenings, concerts, and interdisciplinary art events. We want to improve the conditions for people to gather, to spend time together in public space, encouraging the involvement of citizens, thinking about the relationship between the city and space. The project will include not only the expansion of the existing lodge-sculpture, but also cultural events - a program of short films by Ugo La Petra, a film program, concerts-performances are planned. The financed value of the project is EUR 54.
An artistic highlight "Žalianamio ex Humans" is planned in Antakalni, which will unite the community and become a monument of the former local punk community and its creativity. During the implementation of the idea, the topography of Antakalnis, population movement trajectories, and needs will be studied. Based on the results of the research, an installation adapted to the specific location will be formed. It will create a focal point for community events, residents' conversations, and memories. The financed project value is EUR 60.
"Basketball canvases" - professional artists are expected to decorate twenty basketball boards in various places in Vilnius. The aim is that the renewed stands attract attention, become fashionable, encourage teenagers who spend time in front of computer or phone screens to spend more time actively outside. Experienced masters of graffiti and street art, painters and illustrators will colorfully renew the "tired" boards of the districts, turning them into works of art radiating creative freedom. The financed value of the project is EUR 3.
"Krosnies Pavillion" - the artists plan to restore an archaic and primitive public space for food preparation, nurture cultural heritage and promote cultural diversity. It should bring people together around the fire and be a place to share stories and foster community bonding. The financed value of the project is EUR 65.
Eleocharis palustris (Swamp Bread) Wolffoot"- The sculpture of Donatas Jankauskas-Duonis, projected in the Vilkpėdė pond, will reflect the connection between nature and man, and will become an example of a harmonious relationship between culture and the natural environment. The project will complement the city landscape and promote interest in contemporary art. The place will become a center of attraction for local residents and city guests in Vilkpėdė. The financed value of the project is EUR 56.
"Martyn Kazimierėnos benches for observing the wildlife of Vilnius" - eight unique, functional design objects in the authentic, uncultivated Vilnius Castle Reserve. Design objects of high artistic value will become recreation infrastructure in an exclusive area of Vilnius. Those who fell in love with this park will have more conditions to spend their time meaningfully, and more Vilnius residents will be encouraged to stop by. The places chosen for the objects will encourage citizens and guests to explore the landscape and panorama of Vilnius, more people will choose a park reminiscent of wild nature. The financed value of the project is EUR 27.
"Antakalnis walls - images and history of the city of Vilnius" - a work by painters Vytautas Poška and Silvija Drebickaitė and architect Gediminas Sakalis on the facade of Vilnius Antakalnis pro-gymnasium. The authors' project has already been implemented on the buildings located on Antakalnis and P. Vileišios streets. The artists will continue the project on the walls of the progymnasium based on sketches by S. Drebickaitė. The project contains an educational meaning - the community will be able to get to know how art is created, interact with artists, and be able to contribute. In parallel, it is planned to create an educational program. The work will honor the memory of the artist S. Drebickaitė. The financed value of the project is EUR 27.
"Saugotojas" - in the former industrial Manufaktur district, it is planned to establish a sculpture from plastic parts of industrial products found in a landfill in the nearby forest (clips, hooks, pen cases, switches, buttons, etc.). For the presentation of the work, the author was awarded the best young artist prize at the international art fair "ART Vilnius". The sculpture will conceptually highlight the change of the district, mark the junction between the modern and the historical. An avant-garde element will enliven the monotonous construction of the district. The amount allocated to the project is EUR 29.
"Street art in Grigiškės" - four large-format street art works in Grigiškės with an integrated QR code-street art game, enlivening the former suburb of Vilnius. From a monotonous transit district, Grigiškės is gradually becoming a lively and interesting city, rich in its landscape and an enterprising community. The neofresco project will reflect the development of the city, the most famous heroes of Grigiškii and the stories of the origin of the place in a modern way. The street art work will be realized by the best painter in the Baltic States. Linas Kaziulionis, winner of the "Young Painter's Prize '22". The amount financed by the project is EUR 54.
"Valakupe Park". Next to the renovated Valakupiai beach under the bridge, an active leisure space is planned for the community, its inclusion in a closer relationship with the living environment, its nurturing and creation. The project team chose the motifs of the river flow and nature, which the artists will interpret in their own way and apply to the park in their own way. The unused territory of Patilte will be revived for dialogue between different social groups and ages. In order for the park to reflect the local community and become an organic part of it, it is planned to include youth organizations and local residents in the creative process, so that in the future the park will become a center of cultural attraction outside the old town. The amount allocated to the project is EUR 70.
