Celebrating Lithuanian Creativity: An Artistic Journey at the Pompidou Center

The exhibition of the Lithuanian National Museum “Kazys Varnelis. An optical classicist from Lithuania” and the MO Museum exhibition “Lithuanian art from the 1960s to the present day. Historical Donation”, organized together with the curators of the Pompidou Center.

The president of this prestigious art institution, Laurent Le Bon, told the gathered representatives of culture and politics that he was happy that the Pompidou is making a big contribution to this Lithuanian season with “two ambitious exhibitions”.

“It is a great honor that the Pompidou Center was chosen to start and inaugurate this Lithuanian season in France. Thank you for that and welcome to our place, you are at home,” he said.

“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

In her speech, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė emphasized that, being unique, France and Lithuania share the common values ​​of striving for freedom, dignity, and human rights, which are currently being defended by Ukraine, which is fighting against Russian aggression.

“So much has changed or should have changed over the centuries, but the motto ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’ remains as relevant as ever. Following these values, the people of Ukraine sacrifice their lives to defend our freedom and theirs,” said the Prime Minister.

“Following these values, Moldova, Armenia, Sakartvel and the countries of the Western Balkans are trying to be part of the European family. The right family. We should not take these values ​​for granted,” said I. Šimonytė.

Thanking the artists, the prime minister said that in the next three months, during 200 events, she will invite people to discover Lithuania through art, theater, music, cinema and literature, to “understand and nurture the ties between our peoples” through more than 130 joint French-Lithuanian works, which, I. Šimonytės will definitely go beyond this season.

The French Minister of Development and International Partnerships, Chrysoula Zacharopoulou, said at the opening that the most important things are creative, festive, human connections, which “show what we share and what we can learn from each other”.

“The season will give all French people the opportunity to access Lithuanian culture, its wealth, strength, artists, intellectuals, poetry and prose,” said the minister.

She reminded that from September 17, the French Institute in Vilnius, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, will host a program of echoes of France in Lithuania.

Donas K. Varnelis’ work from a private collection in New York

The optical art exhibition of K. Varnelis, opened at the Pompidou, exhibits 15 of his paintings and one sculpture created between 1956 and 1996, focusing mainly on the most important phase of his work – the 1960s and 1970s.

As Indrė Urbelytė, the curator of this exhibition, told journalists at the opening, most of the works come from the collections of the Lithuanian National Museum and one painting, which will be exhibited a little later, is currently being transported from New York.

“This is a very special painting, as it is a gift from the collector Jonas Dovydėnas, which was initiated by our museum with the help of K. Varnelis’ son on the occasion of the season to complement the collection of the Pompidou Art Center,” she said.

“I think this is a unique gift that will allow K. Varnelis to function outside Lithuania, because it is very important that those works are in the collections of the most important foreign museums. It should be mentioned that Pompidou’s collection of modern art is the largest in Europe and they are truly the place that writes the global narrative of the history of art”, noted I.Urbelytė.

The fact that K. Varnelis’s painting will be in the Pompidou collections, according to the curator, allows us to hope that this creator will enter a more prominent global narrative. According to I.Urbelytė, Pompidou curator Michelis Gauthier, who organized this exhibition together, was impressed by the Lithuanian’s work.

“I think he’s wonderful, unique and the only one, to be honest. And I’m not even going to press this. It is obvious that K. Varnelis is the strongest master of optical art in the history of Lithuanian art. But Michel also admits that there are no others like K. Varnelis in the narrative of optical art,” said the curator of the exhibition.

At the same time, the exhibition “Lithuanian art from the 1960s to the present day” presented by the MO Museum in Paris. “Historical donation” consists of works by 11 authors, which will remain in the Pompidou collection after the end of the exhibition.

As the head of the museum, Milda Ivanauskienė, previously told BNS, some of them – Marija Teresė Rožanskaitė, Kazimiera Zimblytė, Linas Leonas Katinas and Vincas Kisarauskas – created in Lithuania behind closed doors, during the Soviet era the works did not enter the museum’s collections and were not exhibited.

Both exhibitions at the Pompidou Center will be open until January 6, 2025.

Over 200 seasonal events throughout France

During the Lithuanian season, called “The Other Same” (French: “Se voir en l’autre”), a total of more than 200 events will take place in at least 80 French cities until December 12.

Over 500 artists, performers, representatives of other cultural fields will take part in them, and more than 120 bilateral cultural partnerships will be implemented. More than half a million spectators and visitors are expected at the events.

The Lithuanian program will be presented as public rights or special projects at major French autumn festivals and biennales: “Festival d’Automne a Paris” (Paris), “Les Boreales” (Cannes), “Les Rendez-vous de l’histoire” (Blouis), “Biennale d’art contemporain de Lyon” (Lyon), “Biennale Chroniques” (Marseille), “Paris+” (Paris), “Paris Photo” (Paris), “La Biennale – Festival international des arts vivants Toulouse Occitanie” (Toulouse ) and elsewhere.

The Lithuanian season in France is implemented by the Lithuanian Cultural Institute and the French Institute in Paris, the event is under the auspices of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda and French President Emmanuel Macron.

2.5 million The Lithuanian Institute of Culture allocates EUR 100,000 to the program, the French Institute contributes a similar amount, and various cultural institutions also allocate part of the funds.

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What are the main highlights of ⁤”The Other Same” season celebrating Lithuanian cultural heritage in France?

Unveiling the Lithuanian Cultural ⁤Heritage: “The Other Same” Season in France

The Lithuanian National Museum and the ‍MO Museum have partnered with the Pompidou Center to present two exceptional exhibitions, “Kazys Varnelis. An optical classicist from Lithuania” and “Lithuanian art from the 1960s to the present day. Historical ⁢Donation,” respectively. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of the Lithuanian season in France, a cultural phenomenon that will showcase the country’s rich artistic heritage through over 200 events across 80 French cities.

Liberty,⁢ Equality, Fraternity: Shared Values between‍ France and ‍Lithuania

In⁣ her address, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė emphasized the importance of the values⁣ shared between France and Lithuania, including the pursuit​ of freedom, dignity, and human⁣ rights. These values, ⁤enshrined ‍in the French national motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,” are being defended by Ukraine in⁣ its struggle against Russian aggression. The⁤ Prime Minister also highlighted the significance of supporting countries like Moldova, Armenia, Sakartvel, and those in the Western Balkans in their⁢ quest to join the European ‌family.

Kazys Varnelis: A Master of Optical Art

The exhibition at the Pompidou Center features 15 of‍ Kazys Varnelis’ paintings and one sculpture, created between 1956 and 1996. Most of the works come from the collections of the Lithuanian National Museum, while one ⁣painting is being transported from New York, courtesy of collector Jonas Dovydėnas. This unique gift will ‌enable Varnelis’⁤ work to enter the Pompidou collection, spotlight

What exhibitions are featured in the Lithuanian cultural heritage season titled “The Other Same” in France?

Lithuanian Cultural Heritage Takes Center Stage in France with “The Other Same” Season

The Lithuanian National Museum and the MO Museum have collaborated with the curators of the Pompidou Center to bring two exceptional exhibitions to France, celebrating Lithuanian art and culture. The exhibitions, “Kazys Varnelis. An optical classicist from Lithuania” and “Lithuanian art from the 1960s to the present day. Historical Donation”, mark the beginning of “The Other Same” season, a three-month-long celebration of Lithuanian cultural heritage in France.

“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

During the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė emphasized the importance of shared values between France and Lithuania, highlighting the motto “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” as a guiding principle for both nations. She also acknowledged the struggle for freedom and human rights, currently being defended by Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Donas K. Varnelis’ Work from a Private Collection in New York

The optical art exhibition of Kazys Varnelis at the Pompidou Center features 15 of his paintings and one sculpture, created between 1956 and 1996. The exhibition focuses on the most significant phase of his work, primarily from the 1960s and 1970s. One of the paintings, a gift from a private collector in New York, will be exhibited later during the season. This unique gift will allow K. Varnelis’ work to be represented in the collections of the Pompidou Art Center, further solidifying his presence in international art circles.

Over 200 Seasonal Events Throughout France

The “Other Same” season will comprise over 200 events across France, showcasing Lithuania’s rich cultural heritage through art, theater, music, cinema, and literature. The three-month celebration aims to promote cross-cultural understanding and foster greater ties between the people of France and Lithuania.

What are the Main Highlights of “The Other Same” Season Celebrating Lithuanian Cultural Heritage in France?

The “Other Same” season offers a diverse range of events and exhibitions, including:

Over 130 joint French-Lithuanian projects, which will go beyond this season

A program of echoes of France in Lithuania at the French Institute in Vilnius, celebrating its 25th anniversary

Exhibitions, performances, and concerts showcasing Lithuania’s rich cultural heritage

Literary events, featuring prominent Lithuanian authors and writers

Cultural exchanges, promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between France and Lithuania

The “Other Same” season is a testament to the shared values and cultural connections between France and Lithuania. This exceptional celebration of Lithuanian cultural heritage will leave a lasting impact on the people of France, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Lithuania’s rich cultural landscape.

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