Discovering Lithuanian Art: An Enchanting Season Kickoff at Pompidou Culture

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.

“Based on 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 confident, will 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 art history”, 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 be included in a more prominent global narrative. According to I.Urbelytė, Pompidou curator Michel 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 story 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.

window.fbAsyncInit = function() {
FB.init({
appId: ‘117218911630016’,
version: ‘v2.10’,
status: true,
cookie: false,
xfbml: true
});
};

(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) {
return;
}
js = d.createElement(s);
js.id = id;
js.src = “https://connect.facebook.net/lt_LT/sdk.js”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));

Collection⁤ has supported⁤ these exhibitions, emphasizing the collaborative spirit between Lithuanian⁢ artists and French institutions.

Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article ​based on the ⁢provided content:

Lithuanian‍ Art‍ Takes Center Stage ⁤in France: A Season of ‍Cultural Celebrations

The Lithuanian National Museum and the MO Museum have collaborated with the Pompidou Center to present two ambitious exhibitions, “Kazys⁣ Varnelis. An Optical​ Classicist from Lithuania” ⁣and “Lithuanian Art⁣ from the 1960s to the ⁢Present Day. Historical Donation.” This cultural extravaganza ‌marks the beginning of the Lithuanian season in France,‌ celebrating the country’s rich artistic⁣ heritage and⁢ strengthening cultural ties between ⁣the two nations.

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Shared⁤ Values Unite France ⁤and Lithuania

In her‌ speech at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė ​emphasized the importance of⁢ shared ⁤values between France and Lithuania, including freedom, dignity, and⁢ human⁣ rights. She⁢ noted that these values are currently ​being defended by Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression and​ are essential for ⁢the European family.

A Celebration‍ of Lithuanian Culture

During‍ the next⁣ three months, over​ 200 events will take place in at least 80 French ‌cities, featuring more than​ 500 artists, performers, and cultural representatives. The season, titled “The​ Other⁣ Same”‍ (French: “Se voir en l’autre”), promises to showcase⁣ the diversity and ⁣richness of Lithuanian culture, from art and ⁤theater to music, cinema, and literature.

Donations and Collaborations

The exhibition “Lithuanian Art from the 1960s to the Present Day. Historical Donation” features works by 11 authors, which will remain‍ in ⁣the ‌Pompidou ⁤collection after the exhibition.⁣ Additionally, a private

Cultural dialogue between the two nations.

Lithuanian Art Takes Center Stage in France: “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” Exhibition Season

The Lithuanian National Museum and the MO Museum have joined forces with the Pompidou Center to present a comprehensive exhibition season celebrating Lithuanian art from the 1960s to the present day. This collaborative effort, titled “Lithuanian Art from the 1960s to the Present Day. Historical Donation,” marks a significant milestone in the cultural exchange between Lithuania and France.

“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

In his remarks at the exhibition opening, Laurent Le Bon, President of the Pompidou Center, emphasized the importance of this cultural exchange, stating, “It is a great honor that the Pompidou Center was chosen to start and inaugurate this Lithuanian season in France.” Le Bon highlighted the significance of the two ambitious exhibitions, which will showcase the best of Lithuanian art to the French public.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė echoed Le Bon’s sentiments, underscoring the shared values of liberty, equality, and fraternity that unite France and Lithuania. She emphasized that these values are more relevant than ever, particularly in light of Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression.

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

One of the exhibition highlights is the optical art exhibition of Donas K. Varnelis, featuring 15 paintings and one sculpture created between 1956 and 1996. The works on display primarily focus on the most important phase of Varnelis’ career, the 1960s and 1970s.

Curator Indrė Urbelytė revealed that most of the works come from the collections of the Lithuanian National Museum, with one painting being transported from a private collection in New York. This painting, a gift from collector Jonas Dovydėnas, will be exhibited later in the season and will complement the Pompidou Art Center’s collection.

Over 200 Seasonal Events Throughout France

The Lithuanian season in France will feature over 200 events, including art exhibitions, theater performances, music concerts, cinema screenings, and literary readings. These events will take place across France, providing an opportunity for the French public to discover and engage with Lithuanian culture.

Collection Supports Collaborative Spirit

The collection has supported these exhibitions, emphasizing the collaborative spirit between Lithuanian artists and French institutions. This partnership will help to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Lithuanian art and culture, both within France and globally.

As Prime Minister Šimonytė noted, this season will not only celebrate Lithuanian art but also nurture the ties between the French and Lithuanian people. With over 130 joint French-Lithuanian works scheduled to take place, this season promises to be a milestone in the