“We are exceptionally focused on the emergence of arts spaces. We seek to create areas which would become a centre of gravity not only for Paupys’ residents, but for the residents of the entire city. Vilnius is truly lacking in such spaces, which create added value for the city, and so we seek an environment which is harmonious, modern and matches the needs of the residents, where the arts can be closer to the people,” states Darnu Group corporate affairs and marketing director Akvilė Liaudanskienė.
According to Liaudanskienė, one of the more interesting solutions is the freely accessible open-air gallery, which should arise in the yard of one of the residential buildings in 2022. Other pieces of art should emerge in Paupys next year.
“Already, several spaces have been decided on to feature new pieces of art. At the moment, our arts curators are in talks with various artists from across the country, who are offering solutions that will grant Vilnius’ Old Town even greater value,” A. Liaudanskienė says.
Ūla Tornau, arts researcher and Paupys’ public arts project curator, says she is certain of the success of Paupys’ friendship with the arts and is confident that creative solutions always serve to enliven a city, and create a sense of uniqueness.
Well-known artists present their ideas
A group of well-known artists have joined the project, with almost twenty creators presenting their ideas for Paupys and a few even offering several. It will soon be revealed which of them will adorn Paupys.
The ideas were presented by Donatas Jankauskas-Dunis, an sculptor well-known to Vilnius residents through her statue of Tony Soprano which welcomes and bids farewell to those travelling by rail through Vilnius’ railway station; young generation illustrator Akvilė Misevičiūtė-Magicdust, whose paintings adorn many walls around the city; and Žygimantas Kudirka who is better known on the music scene as MC Messiah, but is also increasingly active in contemporary arts processes.
“All the creators are different, but this is exactly what we were aiming for – to gather representatives of both contemporary and street art, graphical artists, sculptors, and light installation creators. We do not want to limit ourselves to the work of a single artist, and so we are currently organising creative workshops, where numerous artists have presented their visions,” Ū. Tornau explained.
Aiming for a purposeful centre of gravity
The project curator mentioned that several ideas are being considered, but it is currently uncertain as to how exactly they will be implemented.
“While pondering on what projects could be settled on in Paupys, we discussed the people living here, and explored what objects that will emerge here would be appealing to them. Paupys is one of Vilnius’ oldest industrial areas, and the history of old industry is especially important for this location. We would like for it to also be reflected in the artists’ works, and so in a sense, this became one of the project’s themes,” she said.
When the second idea of playing and interactive entertainment was presented before the artists’ imaginations, they were asked to ponder on what could involve passers-by in the area. Ū. Tornau says that in this category there was also no lack of originality – proposals were made for a mobile map of the area, and ideas of an alternate guide.
The third topic is the forming of further public functions in the area. “Several artists proposed the creation of spaces for people to gather. Whether it be a barbecue or a gazebo, a bridge over the river where those kayaking down river Vilnelė could stop, people enjoy spaces which turn into social locations, so let’s not limit ourselves solely to decoration. Paupys is beautiful already, and so we would truly like for the new creations to also be purposeful, and to become a place people would like to meet at,” she explained.
A gift to Vilnius’ residents
According to Darnu Group director for corporate affairs and marketing Akvilė Liaudanskienė, the Paupys public arts project is a gift to Vilnius’ residents. She is convinced that the emergence of the new artwork and opening of the open-air gallery in the reviving part of the Old Town will become a new social centre of gravity, and that the works themselves will add value to the renewed area of the capital.
“We hope that people will enjoy the artworks. Perhaps they will not be beautiful to everyone, but definitely very interesting. And even if at first glance the works may appear peculiar, after a time an understanding will arise as to how fun and original they are, and their beauty, so to speak, reveals itself when looking from up above,” arts curator Ū. Tornau said.
This is not the first time Darnu Group is investing in arts spaces. The developer’s previous projects have also been met with particular attention – the art galleries in the Užupio Krantinės stairwells; a park of benches that was formed by artists near Antakalnio Terasos; and the Old Town-based hotel Artagonist, which is imbued with an artistic spirit and has appear among the world’s top ten per cent of the hotels most favoured by visitors, along with many other works.
