Photo reportage from the exhibition 'Origins' by SetP Stanikas in Paris

On September 10, an exceptional exhibition by one of the most prominent creators of contemporary Lithuanian art, the duo Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas (SetP Stanikas), who have been living in Paris for over twenty years, was unveiled in the former residence of French composer Ernest Chausson, now the halls of the Lithuanian Embassy. This inaugural exhibition, titled “Origins,” starts and frames the Lithuanian cultural season program in France.

Representatives of the French and Lithuanian intelligentsia, diplomacy, and the arts gathered for the private opening of the exhibition. The artists were honored by the presence of Laurent Le Bon, President of the Centre Pompidou, who had already been introduced to Lithuanian culture and art. One of France’s most prominent art historians, Jean de Loisy, former curator at Fondation Cartier and the Centre Pompidou, former President of Palais de Tokyo, and former Director of the National School of Fine Arts in Paris, also attended, along with Marianne Berger-Laleix, General Director of Palais de Tokyo, among others. Specially traveling from London for the event was art historian and curator Sarah Wilson, whose interests range from post-war and Cold War Europe to contemporary global art.

In his welcome speech, Lithuania’s Ambassador to France, Arnoldas Pranckevičius, expressed his joy that the first exhibition he has the honor of opening at the Lithuanian Embassy in Paris is the impressive installation by Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas, laureates of the Lithuanian National Culture and Art Prize: “The exhibition ‘Origins’ has transformed the spaces of the Lithuanian Embassy in Paris into a high-level art gallery. The Lithuanian diplomatic and cultural history, which the Stanikas duo narrates through their works, will allow visitors to gain a closer understanding of the legacy left by Lithuanian émigrés in France, which is incredibly rich and vibrant. The narrative of the Stanikas’ installation ‘Origins’ will undoubtedly touch exhibition visitors throughout Lithuania’s season in France and foster an even closer connection between Lithuania and France.”

“Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas are today’s cultural bridge between Lithuania and France. It is symbolic that their exhibition ‘Origins’ is being held at the Lithuanian Embassy in Paris, a space that harkens back to the times of its first owner, French composer Ernest Chausson, when Parisian artists would gather here for exhibitions and concerts. This exhibition offers an opportunity to look at the origins of our state through the poet and diplomat Oskar Miłosz, through contemporary interpretations of Lithuanian folklore, and through the prism of today’s events. It is hard to imagine the Lithuanian Season in France without this unique exhibition,” remarked former Lithuanian Ambassador to France Nerijus Aleksiejūnas. It is thanks to this diplomat, who completed his tenure in France just a month ago, that the embassy’s halls were opened for this memorable exhibition. Due to N. Aleksiejūnas’ initiative and his all-encompassing support, countless Lithuanian art events, meetings, and a series of bilateral cooperation projects have taken place throughout France.

The halls of the Lithuanian Embassy have been transformed into an art gallery for three months, showcasing the latest works of Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas. Thanks to the artists’ professionalism, homage is paid to the past, the architecture of the building, and its decor—they have become part of the art installations. According to the exhibition curator Julija Palmeirao, “The Stanikas’ aesthetic expression is subtle, marked by deep analysis and critique of human instincts, and the political and spiritual world. Since the artists shaped their visual language during a rather complex historical period (when the Lithuanian Sąjūdis movement intensified, the Berlin Wall fell, and the Western world opened up), the ideas of rebellion, resistance, and non-conformity continue to accompany their work today. Alongside these political changes, their explorations led to a significant stylistic transformation—their critical stance towards academic conformism was reinforced by the emergence of new paradigms. In their work, the Stanikas weave details of collective memory with personal stories. The exhibition ‘Origins’ is no exception. Here, the artists aim to establish a dialogue with Lithuanian historical memory and the cultural and diplomatic heritage of Lithuanians in France. By embracing the impressive historical palace halls and the decorative elements by French artists Maurice Denis and Odilon Redon that adorn them, the artists have created a powerful, immersive art installation through their mastery and the narrative of Lithuanian identity, utilizing light, twilight, and sound. I have no doubt that this exhibition will be one of the most remarkable art events of autumn 2024 in Paris.”

Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas, known in the French art scene as SetP Stanikas, have been actively engaged in the art world for four decades, participating in numerous prestigious exhibitions and earning international recognition. In 2004, the Stanikas represented Lithuania at the 50th Venice Biennale and also exhibited his works at the biennials of Liverpool, Moscow, Beijing, Kaunas, Riga. Their works have been displayed at the Pompidou Center in Paris, White Box Gallery in New York, Other Gallery in Shanghai, How Museum in Shanghai, MO Museum in Vilnius, Lithuanian National Museum of Art in Vilnius, National Museum in Warsaw, Jeu de Paume in Paris, Fresnoy in Tourcoing, Vu Gallery and Anne de Villepoix Gallery in Paris, among others.

Following their recognition at the 50th Venice Biennale, the Stanikas were invited to teach at the national contemporary art studio, Le Fresnoy. Their artworks have been showcased at the Grand Palais in Paris during the international exhibition “Dans la nuit, des images.” Their large-format diptych “La Chute” was presented in the Pompidou Center’s exhibition “Traces du Sacré.” During Paris’s “Nuit Blanche” festival, they created the installation “L’Ouvrier, le Paysan et l’Aigle” in the Trocadero Gardens. They have also been invited to teach at the Rocailles School of Fine Arts in Biarritz and as lecturers at Goldsmiths, University of London, in England. In 2018, the artists were awarded the prestigious Lithuanian National Culture Prize.

The duo, who have been creating together since their student years, work in the fields of photography, video, drawing, and sculpture. The Stanikas are widely known for their impressive atmospheric installations, which they skillfully create by combining all the art media they master. “While creating this exhibition, we reflected on our origins as creators, on the two worlds that shaped us, and our two loves—Lithuania and France. Drawing on the works of Oscar Milosz and Lithuanian folk tales, we wanted to express our thoughts on the theme of our identity. We have exhibited in institutions of various sizes and significance, but this exhibition is unique. We are delighted to have the opportunity to present the exhibition in the former residence of composer E. Chausson, now the Lithuanian Embassy—this further strengthens the identity theme we are exploring. For the first time, the halls of this historic building are being turned into an art gallery, which will operate for three months, and we hope it will successfully represent Lithuania. Perhaps in the future, this exhibition will pave the way for a broader idea—the dream of all Lithuanians in France—to establish a Lithuanian Cultural Center in Paris,” say Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas.

The exhibition will run until December 12.

Address: Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in France, 22 boulevard Courcelles, 75017 Paris.

The exhibition can be visited on weekdays by prior registration via email: rsvp.lituanie@urm.lt.

Photography: Eglė Marija Želvytė