International Vilnius Painting Triennial: A Record Number of Participants and a Desire to Provoke

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The 18th International Vilnius Painting Triennial is expanding its geography this year - the exhibitions will feature works by artists from 10 different countries, and the Triennial's events will take place not only in Vilnius but also in Kaunas. “I am here not to be tolerated, I am here to provoke you” – this is the title that will accompany the Triennial's events, which will begin on 5 September with an exhibition at the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum Kaunas Picture Gallery. 

"This year's Triennial has a special focus on the Nordic countries (Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark), the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) and Poland. These are the countries whose artists are probably the most responsive to what is happening around us and around the world. The overall tone of the Triennial will focus on the latest and most innovative trends in painting to understand and conceptualize the 'now-ness' of contemporary painting, to show the diversity and diversity of artistic reflections on the medium of painting," says Meda Norbutaitė, artist and head curator of the Vilnius Painting Triennial 2024. 

Organized since 1969, this year's event attracted a record number of 50 artists from 10 different countries. According to Meda Norbutaitė, they are united by their ability to respond to the dominant provocative concept of the Triennial, the innovativeness of their techniques, and their artistic quality.

"The title of the Triennial “I am here not to be tolerated, I am here to provoke you” reflects not only the relationship that the exhibitions and other events will try to create with the viewer, but also, in a way, the relationship with oneself. The Triennial will question whether painting as a medium fulfills the function and purpose of art to stimulate critical thinking and to educate," says the main curator of the Vilnius International Painting Triennial. 

The main exhibitions of the International Vilnius Painting Triennial will take place from 5 September to 27 October at the M. K. Čiurlionis National Art Museum Kaunas Picture Gallery, and from 3 October to 2 November at the VAA Exhibition Halls “Titanikas” in Vilnius. Kaunas will present an exhibition of Nordic artists (curated by Henrik B. Andersen), paintings by Polish artists (curated by Krzysztof Stanislawski), and Lithuanian artists (curated by Meda Norbutaitė). In Vilnius, visitors will be greeted by the exhibition of the Baltic and Nordic Young Artists Award nominees "Inner Worlds" (curated by Andra Orn) and a collection of Baltic artists (curated by Meda Norbutaitė). The accompanying exhibitions will take place from 5 September to 6 October at Gallery “Meno Parkas” in Kaunas (featuring paintings from Spain and France), and from 11 October to 10 November at Gallery “Arka” in Vilnius (solo exhibition of Finnish artist Teemu Tuomas Mäki). 

Throughout the Triennial, visitors will be invited to take part in guided tours, meetings with the artists, and performances in various venues around the city, as well as to vote for the most provocative piece of work of the Triennial.