The 13th Kaunas Biennial titled “Once Upon Another Time… gyveno jie jau kitaip” will take place to 20 February 2022. The exhibition offers reflections on the current global situations, including the pandemic, with a curatorial project that explores human resilience and adaptation. Curated by Josée Drouin-Brisebois, the biennial investigates different forms of storytelling and narrative in contemporary art. At times, these stories are grounded in myths and fictions associated with the passage of time, transformation and evolution. In other moments, they explore experienced personal and communal tales of survival. The exhibition proposes a sharing of stories rooted in diverse worldviews and moments in time, from the past, present and even the future.
The biennial brings together 23 international artists and groups from Lithuania, Poland, Germany, France, United Kingdom, USA, Canada and Brazil. Ten new artworks are being commissioned for the 13th Kaunas Biennial, an event which is one of the most significant contemporary art events, opening Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022.
Drouin-Brisebois stated: “Through a series of engaging encounters with contemporary art in unusual places, visitors will embark on an exploratory journey of the architectural and lived history of Kaunas, which will be animated in renewed and surprising ways. Through their artworks that convey compelling and resonant narratives, the artists consider the resilience and adaptation of living beings, as many continue to face adversity, injustice, oppression and climate change. The aim is to encourage audiences to connect through the familiarity of storytelling, to foster empathy and hopefully new understanding”.
Participating artists:
David Altmejd (Canada/USA), Christian Boltanski (France), Shary Boyle (Canada), Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller (Canada), Douglas Gordon (Scotland, UK), Petrit Halilaj (Kosovo), Kristina Inčiūraitė (Lithuania/Ireland), Isuma (Canada), Kapwani Kiwanga (Canada/France), Lina Lapelytė (Lithuania), Laura Lima (Brazil) together with Rasma Noreikytė (Lithuania) and Giedrė Kriaučionytė (Lithuania), Jonas Mekas (Lithuania/USA), Pakui Hardware (Neringa Černiauskaitė and Ugnius Gelguda, Lithuania), Augustas Serapinas (Lithuania), Jeremy Shaw (Canada/Germany), Monika Sosnowska (Poland), SetP Stanikas (Svajonė and Paulius Stanikai) (Lithuania/France), Indrė Šerpytytė (Lithuania/UK), Emilija Škarnulytė (Lithuania), Althea Thauberger (Canada), Goodhearter Wisher (Vytautas Viržbickas, Lithuania), Simona Žemaitytė (Lithuania).
A special project with the Belarusian students from the European Humanities University will be coordinated by Artūras Raila (Lithuania). The students include Darya Karalkova, Aliona Makhnach, Volha Mirankova, Alesia Pesenka in collaboration with the photographer Yauhen Attsetski, Aleksei Shklianko, Viktoryia Yaskevich and Yauheni Zahorski.
FILM PROGRAMME AND ACCOMPANYING PROGRAMME
During the exhibition, a special film programme will be presented, screening selected films by Jonas Mekas (Lithuania/USA), Petrit Halilaj (Kosovo) and Isuma (Canada). A special online film programme will feature Douglas Gordon (Scotland, UK), Petrit Halilaj (Kosovo/Germany), Kristina Inčiūraitė (Lithuania), Isuma (Canada), Jonas Mekas (Lithuania/USA), Jeremy Shaw (Canada/Germany) and Simona Žemaitytė (Lithuania).
The main exhibition venues for the 13th Kaunas Biennial include the House of Basketball, Tadas Ivanauskas Zoology Museum and the Devil Museum, VMU art gallery “101”.
The exhibition is organised by Kaunas Biennial. The project is supported by the Lithuanian Council for Culture, Kaunas City Municipality and with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. The event is presented in collaboration with the Office of the Embassy of Canada to Lithuania and is a part of the project Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022.
12 November 2021 – 20 February 2022
Kaunas, Lithuania
Curated by Josée Drouin-Brisebois
Organized by Kaunas Biennial (Lithuania)
www.bienale.lt/
https://www.facebook.com/kaunas.biennial
https://www.instagram.com/kaunasbiennial/
Devils’ Museum
David Altmejd. L’oeil, 2017, Expanded polystyrene, epoxy dough, fiberglass, resin, epoxy gel, epoxy clay, synthetic hair, quartz, acrylic paint, glass eyes, steel, Sharpie, ballpoint pens, gold leaf, glass paint, artificial flower, lighter. Photo: Martynas Plepys
David Altmejd. L’oeil, 2017, Expanded polystyrene, epoxy dough, fiberglass, resin, epoxy gel, epoxy clay, synthetic hair, quartz, acrylic paint, glass eyes, steel, Sharpie, ballpoint pens, gold leaf, glass paint, artificial flower, lighter. Photo: Martynas Plepys
(left)David Altmejd. Untitled, 2006, Styrofoam, synthetic hair, epoxy clay, paint, resin, quartz, glitter. Collection of the Trustees of the Marlon Abela Trust, London, UK. Eye, 2015, Polyurethane foam, epoxy clay, epoxy gel, acrylic paint, synthetic hair, resin, glass stain, quartz, pyrite, celestite, amethyst, fluorite, steel, marble. Private Collection (right). Photo: Martynas Plepys
(left)David Altmejd. Untitled, 2006, Styrofoam, synthetic hair, epoxy clay, paint, resin, quartz, glitter. Collection of the Trustees of the Marlon Abela Trust, London, UK. Eye, 2015, Polyurethane foam, epoxy clay, epoxy gel, acrylic paint, synthetic hair, resin, glass stain, quartz, pyrite, celestite, amethyst, fluorite, steel, marble. Private Collection (right). Photo: Martynas Plepys
(left)David Altmejd. Untitled, 2006, Styrofoam, synthetic hair, epoxy clay, paint, resin, quartz, glitter. Collection of the Trustees of the Marlon Abela Trust, London, UK. Eye, 2015, Polyurethane foam, epoxy clay, epoxy gel, acrylic paint, synthetic hair, resin, glass stain, quartz, pyrite, celestite, amethyst, fluorite, steel, marble. Private Collection (right). Photo: Martynas Plepys
Lina Lapelytė. What happens with a dead fish?, 2021, Three-channel video projection with sound, …minutes and ceramics. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Lina Lapelytė. What happens with a dead fish?, 2021, Three-channel video projection with sound, …minutes and ceramics. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Lina Lapelytė. What happens with a dead fish?, 2021, Three-channel video projection with sound, …minutes and ceramics. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Lina Lapelytė. What happens with a dead fish?, 2021, Three-channel video projection with sound, …minutes and ceramics. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Lina Lapelytė. What happens with a dead fish?, 2021, Three-channel video projection with sound, …minutes and ceramics. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Lina Lapelytė. What happens with a dead fish?, 2021, Three-channel video projection with sound, …minutes and ceramics. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Shary Boyle. The Trampled Devil, 2021, Video, 12 minutes, 20 seconds. Written, directed and performed by Shary Boyle. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Photo: Martynas Plepys
VMU Art Gallery “101”
Artūras Raila special project with the Belarusian students
Aleksei Shklianko. The Red Line, 2021, Site-specific installation. Photos by Aleksei Shklianko
Alesia Pesenka & Yauhen Attsetski. The Square of Change, 2021, Lecture and series of photos. Photos by Yauhen Attsetski
Alesia Pesenka & Yauhen Attsetski. The Square of Change, 2021, Lecture and series of photos. Photos by Yauhen Attsetski
Alesia Pesenka & Yauhen Attsetski. The Square of Change, 2021, Lecture and series of photos. Photos by Yauhen Attsetski
Aliona Makhnach. Behind the Garage Doors, 2020-2021, Found object and performance, photo series and texts, photos by Aliona Makhnach.
Aliona Makhnach. Behind the Garage Doors, 2020-2021, Found object and performance, photo series and texts, photos by Aliona Makhnach.
Darya Karalkova. The Roots, 2020-2021, Multiscreen video and sound installation, Video still and photo by Darya Karalkova.
Darya Karalkova. The Roots, 2020-2021, Multiscreen video and sound installation, Video still and photo by Darya Karalkova.
Installation view
Installation view
Installation view
Installation view
Viktoryia Yaskevich. Where Does the Young Art Go, 2019-2021, Ongoing project of series of paintings
Viktoryia Yaskevich. Where Does the Young Art Go, 2019-2021, Ongoing project of series of paintings
Volha Mirankova. Nothing Happens in My Life, 2020-2021, Readymade, video, performance. Photos by Volha Mirankova.
Yauheni Zahorski. Dolbit Normal’no, 2021, Found object, sound performance. Anonymous photos
Yauheni Zahorski. Dolbit Normal’no, 2021, Found object, sound performance. Anonymous photos
Aleksei Shklianko. The Red Line, 2021, Site-specific installation. Photos by Aleksei Shklianko
Artworks in public spaces
Augustas Serapinas. Rūdninkai Bathhouse, 2021, Authentic wooden bathhouse built around 1920’s. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Augustas Serapinas. Rūdninkai Bathhouse, 2021, Authentic wooden bathhouse built around 1920’s. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Augustas Serapinas. Rūdninkai Bathhouse, 2021, Authentic wooden bathhouse built around 1920’s. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Christian Boltanski. Les regards (Glances), 1988-2001, Posters in public spaces. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Christian Boltanski. Les regards (Glances), 1988-2001, Posters in public spaces. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Christian Boltanski. Les regards (Glances), 1988-2001, Posters in public spaces. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Christian Boltanski. Les regards (Glances), 1988-2001, Posters in public spaces. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Christian Boltanski. Les regards (Glances), 1988-2001, Posters in public spaces. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Christian Boltanski. Les regards (Glances), 1988-2001, Posters in public spaces. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Goodhearter Wisher. It was raining heavily, 2021, Foam polystyrene, polyester resin, steel, Plexiglas, copper, acrylic paint. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Goodhearter Wisher. It was raining heavily, 2021, Foam polystyrene, polyester resin, steel, Plexiglas, copper, acrylic paint. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Goodhearter Wisher. It was raining heavily, 2021, Foam polystyrene, polyester resin, steel, Plexiglas, copper, acrylic paint. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Martynas Plepys
Goodhearter Wisher. It was raining heavily, 2021, Foam polystyrene, polyester resin, steel, Plexiglas, copper, acrylic paint. Commissioned for the Kaunas Biennial, 2021. Courtesy of the artist. Photo: Martynas Plepys
