23 Sep 2009

URBAN STORIES X Baltic Triennial

The Contemporary Art Centre (CAC), Vilnius is excited to launch the X Baltic Triennial of International Art presented in the national programme of 'Vilnius - European Capital of Culture 2009'. Opening on Friday 25 September and on show until Sunday 22 November (2009) the X Baltic Triennial is the pinnacle contemporary art event of the Vilnius Culture Capital and the Contemporary Art Centre's exhibition calendar.

'Urban Stories', which is lead by Ann Demeester (Director, de Appel Arts Centre, Amsterdam) and Kestutis Kuizinas (Director of the CAC) is comprised of two principal exhibitions: 'Black Swans, True Tales and Private Truths' and 'Vilnius COOP: gaps, fictions, and practices' the latter curated by Vera Lauf and Ula Tornau. 'Black Swans' the X Baltic Triennial's major exhibition is principally located at the CAC. Meanwhile, 'Vilnius COOP' is sited in former public social insurance offices located on Vilnius' main avenue

Continuing a 15 year tradition that has established the Baltic Triennial as one of the most influential contemporary art events staged in post-communist Europe 'Urban Stories' will be a dynamic multi-platform event of exhibitions, performances, screenings, lectures, and publications; and includes a high proportion of newly commissioned and site-specific work.

Both projects have extensive public programmes that commence on opening day and run until the conclusion of the Triennial in November.

Opening Events:

Friday 25 September
5.00 pm Press conference
6.00 pm Opening at the CAC
7.00 pm Performance MY BARBARIAN (US) and The Sad Dragons (LT)
8.00 pm Opening at Vilnius COOP, Gedimino pr. 27, Vilnius

Saturday 26 September
1.00 pm guided tour with the artists to the off-site project by COMFORTABLE (JP)
meet at the entrance to the Panorama Hotel, Sodu g. 14, Vilnius
3.00 pm premiere of 'Shanghai' the new film by Vita Zaman (LT)
5.00 pm guided tour with the artists to the off-site project by COMFORTABLE (JP)
meet at the entrance to the Panorama Hotel, Sodu g. 14, Vilnius

Programme:

Wednesdays until 18 November

3.00 pm: guided tour to the off-site project by COMFORTABLE (JP)
meet at the ticket-desk of the CAC
7.00pm Vilnius COOP series at Gedimino pr. 27, Vilnius

30 Sept. screening of Fritz Lang's 'Metropolis' in association with Clemens von Wedemeyer and Maya Schweizer's piece
7 Oct. Andreas Muller presentation of An Architektur 'Common Room'
14 Oct. Joanna Warsza and Siarhei Liubimau presentation of their Warsaw activism projects
21 Oct. Jekaterina Lavrinec research presentation 'City as a playground: Vilnius'
28 Oct screening of Aleksandr Shapiro's 'Putevoditel' [A Guide] intro Olga Blackledge
4 Nov. Oksana Zaporozhets research on Russian canteens
11 Nov. Joanna Sokolowska and Benjamin Cope performance 'Another city, another life'
18 Nov. Vilnius storytelling event

Thursdays until 19 November

12.00 pm lunch excursion to eat in a Vilnius canteen, as part of Indre Klimaite's 'Revival of Lithuanian Canteen Culture' meet at the entrance to Vilnius COOP, Gedimino pr. 27, Vilnius

Plus

20 Sept, 2 Oct, 4 Oct 'My Handwriting' Web 0: street blogging session with Jekaterina Lavrinec and Julius Narkunas, at Vilnius: COOP

3-4 October 'Wild Life Take Away Station' 24 hour performance by Ibrahim Quraishi at Zygimantu g. 12, Vilnius
15 October Joanna Warsza lecture/performance 'Vilnius as lost homeland' at Mykolaicio-Putino g. 4, Vilnius
30 October premiere of a new film by Gail Pickering (UK), at the CAC
20 November 'Black Swan' at the CAC