The exhibition exhibited during the 17th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art together with the theater festival “Contre-Sens” makes sense of the themes of empowered identity and global neighborhood, which reflect not only Lithuania’s season in France, but also the international art bridges being built by Stasys Museum.
The exhibition “Lines” invites visitors to explore the perimeter of the sheet and the canvas, poetic and geographical territories, and the realities of individual and collective history. Between S. Eidrigevičius‘s one-line drawings on paper and large white canvases hung in the space of “La BF 15”, the sensitivity of the artist’s visual universe and the sense of freedom open up impressively.
The themes developed during the Lithuanian season in France provide an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation, start an intercultural art dialogue and present to France the newest contemporary art museum in Lithuania, Stasys Museum, located in Panevėžys, the hometown of S. Eidrigevičius.
According to Lina Albrikienė, curator of the exhibition, the works of S. Eidrigevičius cross the border between metaphor, surrealism and fantasy. “Perhaps the masked character in the artist’s drawings is the real person emerging from the faceless body to reveal the alienation of personality, or is the faceless body just an impersonator, and the masked humanoids and animals are actually the real beings and the ones that can be trusted?” S. Eidrigevičius impressively juxtaposes animals and humanoids. He depicts them physically tightly and permanently connected, as if they are forced to co-exist and co-exist. They are tied with ropes, attached with sticks or body parts. We have a vital connection with nature. We are nature”, says L. Albrikienė.
In the curator’s opinion, the artist’s subjects and objects connect in an unbroken chain that creates a visually and emotionally compelling sense of balance. The obvious intensity depicted in the narratives of his drawings reflects that the characters are fighting for better living conditions, for existential freedom. The inspiration for such scenes comes from S. Eidrigevičius’s childhood experiences, when he lived in a small Lithuanian village, in a wooden shed with a leaky roof, next to the family’s farm buildings where animals were kept. Although Stasys emigrated to Poland during the Soviet era, the memories of his childhood linger and constantly lie on different surfaces and are conveyed in different forms: on paper, canvas, sculpture, installation or performance. The empirical world of S. Eidrigevičius’s imagination begins on the surface or 3D drawn line.
Exhibition curator Lina Albrikienė, architect Darius Baliukevičius, graphic designer Rūta Rancevaitė.
„The BF 15“ addresses: 11 Quai de la PêcherieLyons.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday, 14:00-19:00.
The event is part of the Lithuanian season in France 2024. The season is organized by the Lithuanian Institute of Culture together with the Institut Français in Paris. The project is partially financed by the Government of Lithuania and the municipality of Panevėžys.
„Stasys Museum” is the newest contemporary art museum in Lithuania, named after the internationally recognized Stasis Eidrigevičius. The museum opened its doors to visitors on June 1 this year. The museum’s debut exhibition ICON-O-STASYS has already attracted more than 50 thousand visitors.
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**Interview with Lina Albrikienė, Curator of the “Lines” Exhibition at the 17th Lyon Biennale**
**Editor**: Thank you for joining us, Lina. The exhibition “Lines” seems to capture a wide array of themes related to identity and history. Can you tell us what inspired the title of the exhibition?
**Lina Albrikienė**: Absolutely, and thank you for having me. The title “Lines” reflects both the literal and metaphorical boundaries we navigate in life. It speaks not only to the physical boundaries of the canvas and paper but also to the personal and collective lines we draw within our identities and histories. Through Stasys Eidrigevičius’s one-line drawings, we invite visitors to explore these concepts in depth.
**Editor**: You mentioned that the exhibition is part of the Lithuanian season in France. How do you think this cultural exchange impacts the relationship between Lithuania and international art?
**Lina Albrikienė**: This exhibition is a significant opportunity to strengthen our international ties. It allows us to showcase not only Eidrigevičius’s work but also to introduce the Stasys Museum in Panevėžys as a new hub for contemporary art in Lithuania. These collaborations foster a dialogue between cultures and promote a greater understanding of our diverse perspectives in today’s globalized world.
**Editor**: Eidrigevičius’s work often blends metaphor, surrealism, and fantasy. How would you describe the underlying message in his artwork?
**Lina Albrikienė**: The narratives in his pieces reflect a struggle for identity and belonging, often depicted through the relationships between humanoids and animals. There’s a compelling tension in these images; they are bound together, symbolizing our vital connection to nature. The masked figures pose questions about identity and alienation, inviting viewers to consider who we trust and how we relate to the world around us.
**Editor**: You’ve mentioned that Eidrigevičius’s childhood experiences heavily influence his work. How does his past inform the themes explored in “Lines”?
**Lina Albrikienė**: His childhood in a small Lithuanian village is integral to understanding his art. The memories of living in a fragile environment—both physically and emotionally—are woven into his narratives. The intensity of struggle depicted in his drawings mirrors his own experiences of seeking better living conditions and existential freedom. This backstory enriches the viewer’s experience and adds layers of meaning to his work.
**Editor**: What do you hope visitors take away from the “Lines” exhibition?
**Lina Albrikienė**: I hope they come away with a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of our identities and the world around us. Art has the power to provoke thought and inspire dialogue, and I want visitors to engage with the themes of freedom, alienation, and the shared experience of being human. Ultimately, it’s about creating connections—both personal and cross-cultural.
**Editor**: Thank you, Lina, for sharing these insights. It sounds like a thought-provoking exhibition that invites meaningful conversations!
**Lina Albrikienė**: Thank you! I’m honored to share this journey through Eidrigevičius’s art, and I truly believe it will resonate with many.
