ArtVilnius’24 Celebrates 15 Years with Over 300 Artists and Focus on Northern Europe

ArtVilnius’24: A Major Milestone in Contemporary Art

ArtVilnius’24, Lithuania’s largest international contemporary art fair, returns to the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre Litexpo from October 4 to 6, 2024. This year marks the 15th edition of the fair, attracting 67 contemporary art galleries, 15 art institutions, and more than 300 artists from 14 countries. The event, renowned for its dynamic presentation of art from both local and international artists, places a special focus on Northern Europe in its milestone edition.

Galleries and Artists to Watch

Several renowned galleries will return to ArtVilnius’24, including Māksla XO, Pilot, and Alma from Latvia; Nivet Carzon from France; and TSEKH, with roots in both Ukraine and Lithuania. From Denmark, galleri NB will join, alongside local Lithuanian names like Artifex, Baroti, and The Rooster Gallery.

Notably, 20 galleries will make their debut at ArtVilnius’24. Among the newcomers are Asni, ISSP Gallery, and Cut Art Gallery from Latvia, as well as international participants like Davis Gallery from Denmark, Eristavi Gallery from Belgium, and Van Rij Gallery from Poland. Wildpalms from Germany and Sami Center for Contemporary Art from Norway will also participate for the first time.

Project Zone: A Hub for Contemporary Experimentation

The Project Zone at ArtVilnius’24 is curated by Valentinas Klimašauskas, who is also co-curating Lithuania’s pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale. The Project Zone, titled “Agency: Of Mice, Scene & Machines,” will showcase innovative works from Northern European artists, galleries, and institutions. Highlights include contributions from Temnikova & Kasela Gallery, presenting works by Edith Karlson and Katja Novitskova, who have both represented Estonia at the Venice Biennale. Riga’s art gallery 427 will bring works from Kaspars Groševs, Ieva Kraule-Kūna, and Viktor Timofeev, while Simian Art from Copenhagen will exhibit works by Lukas Danys and Jan S. Hansen.

The Path: A Sculptural Exhibition and Performance Showcase

“The Path,” curated by Maria Arusoo, director of the Estonian Centre for Contemporary Art, will present 17 works by international sculptors and performance artists. Lithuanian artists such as Danas Aleksa, Eglė Pilkauskaitė, and Žygimantas Bėrontas will be featured, while Estonian contributions include works by Edith Karlson and Anni Puolakka. Zody Burke will represent Latvia, bringing a diverse range of contemporary art to the exhibition.

Special Programs and Awards

In addition to the exhibitions, ArtVilnius’24 will feature an educational program with discussions, lectures, and guided tours led by art critics. Visitors can attend presentations of art publications and enjoy curated excursions throughout the fair. As in previous years, a jury will select the best participants in several categories, including Best Gallery, Best Young Artist (under 35), Best Sculpture/Installation, and the Audience Prizes for Best Gallery and Best Artist.

A Cultural Hub in Vilnius

Located just 15 minutes from the city center, the Lithuanian Exhibition and Congress Centre Litexpo offers 12,000 square meters of indoor and outdoor space, making it an ideal venue for the expansive art fair. Each year, ArtVilnius attracts 18,000 to 23,000 visitors, ranging from art enthusiasts to collectors and critics.

Opening Hours and Ticket Information

The fair will be open to the public from October 4 to 6, with extended hours to accommodate visitors. For more details on ticketing and programming, visit the official ArtVilnius website.