(AV17) Gallery will take place in one of the most prestigious art fairs in Europe – “Artissima” – from 1-3 November. The gallery has prepared a curated stand for the fair, presenting works by sculptors Rimantas Milkintas and Vladas Urbanavičius from different periods of their careers.
“Artissima”, now in its 31st edition, is Italy’s only art fair dedicated entirely to contemporary art. Its programme and participants are chosen by a panel of distinguished international curators and directors from major museums and art foundations. Each year, the fair draws over 60,000 visitors, including prominent critics, curators, and art professionals. Its reputation for excellence is affirmed by the participation of Europe’s top galleries year after year.
“Since our founding, we have focused on introducing Lithuanian sculptors to international audiences. We achieve this through participation in both international art fairs and solo exhibitions hosted by foreign galleries. We have previously showcased Lithuanian works in Italy, and this year we continue that mission at “Artissima”. We are honoured to be included in the main section of the fair, alongside prestigious galleries such as 193 Gallery from Paris, Green Art Gallery from Dubai, and Piero Atchugarry Gallery from Miami. Italy is renowned for its deep appreciation of art, and we believe “Artissima” visitors will recognise and value the exceptional craftsmanship and artistic vision of Lithuanian sculptors,” says Kristina Mizgirytė, Director of (AV17) Gallery.
Rimantas Milkintas, IHI, 2020
(AV17) Gallery will present the works by two artists at the “Artissima” Art Fair. Vladas Urbanavičius and Rimantas Milkintas are two renowned Lithuanian sculptors of different generations, yet their creative ideas transcend temporal constraints. Urbanavičius is distinguished by his peculiar fusion of minimalist thinking and a subtle sense of form, whereas Milkintas employs minimalist aesthetics to delve into the intricacies of kinetic plasticity. Their works brought together in a joint exhibition, create a monumental space where abstract sculptural forms lead to deeper metaphysical layers. The phenomena perceived within the artists’ works transcend the boundaries of cognition. It is a unique juncture these sculptors are able to create, where the viewer, confronted with purified and abstract forms, has the opportunity to recognize more than what is revealed.
Vladas Urbanavičius (b. 1951) – is one of the most significant 21st century Lithuanian sculptors who have made a significant impact on the formation of the contemporary Lithuanian sculpture tradition, and whose works have become an important part of the cultural field of Vilnius and Lithuania. The sculptor received awards and prizes: the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Prize (2015), the III Prize of the Vilnius Telecenter Defenders Monument Competition (1991), the I Prize at the Lithuanian Contemporary Art Quadrennial (2005), the Golden Mark of the Lithuanian Artists’ Union (2006). The author’s works are included in private and museum collections in Lithuania and abroad.
Vladas Urbanavičius, Steel Compounds, exhibition view, 2022
Rimantas Milkintas (b. 1977) has organized more than fifty exhibitions and has presented his works in Lithuania and abroad: Germany, China, Italy, Belgium, Finland and etc. In 2006 Milkintas received a prestigious Arnaldo Pomodoro (Italy) third-place prize for contemporary sculpture creators. In 2011, the artist received an award for the best sculpture at the international contemporary art fair “ArtVilnius”, and in 2020 he was awarded the Golden Badge of the Lithuanian Artists’ Association for the active creation of sculptures and installations for public spaces.
The (AV17) gallery, established in 2011, is one of few Lithuanian galleries that exclusively exhibit contemporary object, sculpture and installation art. The gallery collaborates with well-known conceptual Lithuanian and foreign sculptors, while paying attention to introduce first works of young perspective artists.
Rimantas Milkintas, Incision II, 2012
The project is financed by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.
“Artissima” Art Fair
(AV17) Gallery Booth: 10 (Pink B)
November 1–3
OVAL Lingotto Fiere, via Giacomo Mattè Trucco 70, Turin
