Photo – courtesy of gallery Meno niša, and artists’ archives ©
On February 13, at 6 PM, the Vilnius City Gallery Meno Niša will unveil Being, an exhibition by the dynamic young duo, Paulina Vasiliauskaitė and Žilvinas Baranauskas. Their work explores the intricate dance between past memories and the uncertain future, inviting viewers to reflect on the nuances of identity, culture, and time.
Vasiliauskaitė and Baranauskas are two artists whose personalities and approaches could not be more different, yet their work converges in unexpected ways. Vasiliauskaitė’s designs—deeply rooted in Lithuanian folklore—transform everyday objects into metaphors that tap into the collective subconscious, revealing desires, fears, and the rich mythological history of her homeland. Her work transcends design, imbuing objects with emotional depth and timeless stories.
Photo – courtesy of Simonas Pigulevičius © Paulina Vasiliauskaitė
Paulina Vasiliauskaitė
“In discussing the work and its peculiarities, we discovered that we stem from similar thoughts and ideas and that we are puzzled by the similar moods of the period. We realized that, despite our different approaches, we are very close in our work, right next to each other. We are both searching for our “roots” and identity. Through new media that are close to our hearts, we are trying to revisit what seems old and unchanging, and perhaps even a little old-fashioned,” the young artists said about the origin of the exhibition.
Baranauskas, on the other hand, delves into personal memory and a profound longing for the past. Through animation, video art, and mixed-media drawing, he explores the theme of home—both the literal and the emotional. His works stir nostalgia and melancholy, where romantic idealism meets sharp self-reflection. The result is a compelling dialogue with memory, self, and the passage of time.
Although they once thought of contemporary art and design as distinct worlds, Vasiliauskaitė and Baranauskas discovered that their creative practices intersect in exciting and powerful ways. Their collaboration highlights the fleeting nature of time and the lasting impact of memory. Each piece in the exhibition undergoes a continuous metamorphosis—materials shift, spaces dissolve, and what seems transparent fills with untold depth, urging a deeper connection between the viewer and the art.
As part of the “Art Space for Young Artists” program at Meno Niša, Being offers a reflective space where the ephemeral meets the tangible, encouraging both artists and viewers to reconsider the layers of memory and meaning that define us.
Žilvinas Baranauskas
Žilvinas Baranauskas
Paulina Vasiliauskaitė (b. 2000) is a designer whose work is steeped in Lithuanian folklore and mythology. She crafts objects that reflect human emotions and fears, transforming them into symbols that resonate on a deeper, collective level. Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Design at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, Vasiliauskaitė also studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, Netherlands, from 2021 to 2022.
Žilvinas Baranauskas (b. 2000) explores a wide range of media, including animation, computer graphics, performance, and mixed-media drawing. His work addresses themes of memory, nostalgia, and longing for home. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague with a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts, Baranauskas now lives and works in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The Being exhibition is supported by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and sponsored by the Vilnius City Municipality. Graphic design by Gintarė Razmaitė and Domantas Pigulevičius. The exhibition runs until March 22.
Photo – courtesy of Simonas Pigulevičius © Paulina Vasiliauskaitė
