Photos – organiser archive ©
In a limited world, date and tradition lose meaning. Twice postponed, the contemporary art fair ArtVilnius’20 this year invites art fans to the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Center LITEXPO on October 2–4. The largest visual arts event in the entire Eastern European region will present its visitors with the most interesting local and foreign galleries, an impressive program of projects and events.
Attention to Photography and Performances
50 galleries and 200 artists from 10 countries will take part in ArtVilnius’20. The contemporary art fair will feature private international art collections, an exhibition of installations, sculptures, and performances “Takas”, meetings with art stars, discussions, conferences, and an educational program.
This year’s novelty is a performance space that will host performances by famous artists Evaldas Jansas and Kristina Švenčionytė, Dr. Gora Parasit, Monika Dirsytė, and Bon Along. In the special ArtVilnius’20 project area, projects will be presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow MOCAK, the Lewben Art Foundation, the Contemporary Art Center, and the Jonas Mekas Visual Arts Center.
After a break, world-famous artist and jazz virtuoso Vladimiras Tarasovas returns to ArtVilnius’20, and artists Donatas Jankauskas-Duonis and Augustas Serapinas, who make Lithuania famous abroad, will present their individual projects in the fair for the first time.
An extensive photography program will be presented at the fair. It will feature solo projects by the famous Latvian artist Arnis Balčus and Lithuanian artist Vytenis Jankūnas, who lives in the United States of America. The galleries will present a number of Lithuanian photography classics – Algimantas Aleksandravičius, Rimantas Dichavičius, Remigijus Treigys, Violeta Bubelytė, and others.
The LRT studio, which will be located in the fifth hall, will host art discussions, lectures, and presentations. Also, an international conference on metamodernism will be held at LITEXPO on Saturday, with the participation of the concept’s author.
For the fourth time, ArtVilnius is organizing the event Night at the Gallery. The sleepless are invited to the city’s galleries on Friday, October 2, when gallery doors will be open until 11 p.m. This is a good opportunity to get to know the city’s most exciting exhibitions and artists.
Postponed Twice
The date of the art fair, which usually takes place in early summer, has had to be postponed twice this year due to the pandemic. ArtVilnius’20 has temporarily become an autumn event, shortened to three days, and will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Diana Stomienė, head of the art fair, says that organizing this year’s art event has been a big challenge. And yet, the fair has retained the most important exhibitors, the largest galleries, the most interesting artists, and even attracted a few new names.
“Not all galleries, artists, and institutions were able to confirm their participation in advance – plans and lists were constantly changing, as were the security requirements for us. I am proud of my team, who are able to adapt quickly to the constantly changing situation, and for understanding and patience I am extremely grateful to the participants, partners and friends of the fair, especially the Lithuanian Council for Culture funding the ArtVilnius’20 project, and the fair’s patrons Vilnius City Municipality and law firm Cobalt”, says Diana Stomienė.
Tickets Only Online
After the announcement of the new security measures, tickets to ArtVilnius’20 are sold only electronically, on the Tiketa.lt page. Just like every year, one-day or multi-day tickets will be available for purchase. The first 100 tickets cost 8 euros, a one-day ticket 10 euros, and a two-day ticket for 16 euros. Discounts will be available for students, seniors, schoolchildren, and people with disabilities. Vilnius Academy of Arts students and children under the age of 7 will be able to enter the art fair free of charge.
Last year, tours around the fair led by art critics became very popular. They will also take place this year. Those wishing to take part in the tour will need to purchase a special ticket online, valid for both the fair and the tour. Such ticket costs 20 euros.
The 11th international contemporary art fair ArtVilnius’20 will take place on October 2–4 at the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Center LITEXPO. The fair will be open to visitors with pre-purchased tickets on Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Saturday from 11.30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sunday from 11.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
