Stasys Museum opens exhibition honoring Čiurlionis

On the final weekend of September, Stasys Museum in Panevėžys will unveil its latest exhibition, Stasys Eidrigevičius. Hommage à Čiurlionis, a project that brings together the creative legacies of two major Lithuanian figures – painter, composer, and cultural visionary Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis, and world-renowned artist Stasys Eidrigevičius. 

The program on September 27 will include the presentation of a newly published trilingual book, curator-led tours, and a performance by S. Eidrigevičius himself – a personal gesture of respect to Čiurlionis, whose 150th birth anniversary is being marked internationally this year. 

A Dialogue Between Two Geniuses 

Eidrigevičius first presented part of his work dedicated to Čiurlionis in 2018 at the M. K. Čiurlionis Memorial Museum in Druskininkai, later transferring the exhibition to the National M. K. Čiurlionis Art Museum in Kaunas. 

Now, within the spaces of Stasys Museum, the artist pays tribute to Čiurlionis by exhibiting a much broader selection of works across different genres. 

“What is most fascinating is that these are not reproductions of Čiurlionis’ works – the themes differ, yet when looking at them, one feels the sense that both artists perceive the world in a remarkably similar way,” notes the exhibition’s curator Kristina Liepinaitė. 

Curating the fourth exhibition at Panevėžys’ contemporary art museum, Liepinaitė draws on her experience working with collections of both Čiurlionis and Eidrigevičius. 

“Stasys is a bold artist, always surprising and full of ideas. His works reveal more than meets the eye – they carry an alluring mystery. His courage to create unconventionally opened the doors of the wider world for him,” she adds. 

The exhibition highlights the unique relationship between the two artists. While Čiurlionis’ work is rooted in nature and the world of fairy tales, Eidrigevičius tends to depict the world in a grotesque manner, revealing its absurdity and paradoxes through figures and objects. Nevertheless, the works of Eidrigevičius and Čiurlionis are close in a visual sense. Both employ similar techniques: pastel, tempera, watercolour, and pencil. They share a minimalism of imagery and a transcendental ambiguity of meaning.   

Eidrigevičius identifies with Čiurlionis even more deeply by using his works to create masks. The exhibition is further enriched by works in the technique that Eidrigevičius has recently favoured – photographics – combining photography with computer drawings.   

“I hope that every visitor will leave the exhibition with a sense of pride, having encountered two Lithuanian art geniuses – one of them still alive and already celebrated worldwide,” says Liepinaitė.

In the photo: curator Kristina Liepinaitė

Architecture of the Exhibition 

Developed by the award-winning studio IMPLMNT architects, the exhibition’s architecture creates a rich, multi-dimensional setting that highlights the distinctive bond between the two creators. 

“Transparent structures allow viewers to see one set of works through another, dissolving boundaries and reinforcing their shared perspective. Displaying the pieces side by side reveals similarities in their approach to symbols, objects, and calligraphy. The result is a dialogue beyond time and space,” explains architect Greta Brimė. 

Presentation of a Trilingual Book 

On the opening day, a book in Lithuanian, Polish, and English will be launched. The publication explores parallels between Čiurlionis and Eidrigevičius, including their thematic affinities, metaphorical language, use of folklore, and the relationship between music and painting. 

“The book is not only a symbolic act of artistic memory but also an important tool for cultural education. It invites readers of all ages and art lovers to discover Čiurlionis anew, while also ambitiously looking towards the future – continuing the tradition of artistic dialogues abroad, including in Japan, where both artists have already left their creative mark,” notes Liepinaitė. 

Photo by P. Židonis

Performance Between the Forest and the Sea 

The exhibition will be inaugurated with a performance by Eidrigevičius, dedicated to Čiurlionis. Admission on September 27–28 will be free.

The exhibition will be on view in Panevėžys until February 28, 2026.  

A continuation of the project will be presented in the special projects zone of the contemporary art fair ArtVilnius’25 on October 3–5, 2025. 

The exhibition is supported by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the Panevėžys City Municipality.