Photography: TSEKH gallery
Successful Ukrainian contemporary art gallery TSEKH opens its branch gallery ‘Cechas Vilnius’ in Vilnius. Gallery is active since 2005, it is Kyiv-based, and it is pretended to be one of the most successful and independent art initiatives in Ukraine regarding contemporary art. In general, within these 11 years TSEKH realized more than 400 exhibition projects, including museum exhibitions, international art fairs, and collaborations. So not giving up its activities and space in Kyiv, gallery now opens its exhibition hall in Vilnius. “For our team and artists it is a great honor to be opened in Lithuania. We trust in fact that in the nearest future Vilnius can be regional art center, meeting place for cultural and creative people. That’s why we decided to invest here,” – suggests founder Mr. Oleksandr Shchelushchenko.
Gallery opening is a vital event also for Vilnius: it will be the biggest private exhibition space in the whole city. Idea of ‘Cechas Vilnius’ opening originated 2012, but realized when the appropriate building was found. New gallery will be opened at Vytenio 6, foyer of former Soviet culture house for builders. Before 1939 it was planned to build up church here. In fact, only its columns were built, but after changing municipality powers the building was entirely frozen. Furthermore, only in 1970-s this building was finished as Soviet culture house for builders. When Lithuania restored its independence, owners of this building rotated, but no one from them was succeed in revitalizing this huge draft space. Before the opening, gallery by its own resources made floor, repaired roof and walls, installed the second floor. After hardworking hours for citizens and tourists ultimately will be available new exhibition space with its area of three hundreds square meters.
Moreover, in Vilnius we will present a group exhibition of TSEKH resident artists ‘Leap to Europe’. It consists from different genres and techniques from watercolor to interactive installations. From the beginning gallery plans to show only Ukrainian contemporary art, but in the future hopes to work with also Lithuanian artists and curators. In Kyiv TSEKH initiated five exhibitions of Lithuanian artists, among them painting ‘Pseudo-Lithuanian landscape’ by Linas Liandzbergis, 2013, group textile ‘Lithuania the best’ by Žydrė Ridulytė, Eglė Bogdanienė, Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė, etcetera, 2011, solo show by Ray Bartkaus ‘Breaking point’, 2009.
“Striving to Europe – it is a key factor in Ukraine’s development and Lithuania takes important part in it. We thank Lithuania and all Lithuanians for their support. Our team also thankful for support, help, and hospitality, which we found here, in Vilnius,” – suggested TSEKH’ founder Mr. Oleksandr Shchelushchenko.
Cechas Vilnius
Vytenio St. 6, Vilnius
Working hours (since 26 of July, Tuesday): every day, except Sunday and Monday, 2 p.m. – 8 p.m., free entrance.