Salzburg - Vilnius: A Dialogue

08.09.2017 - 19.10.2017

BV-Berchtoldvilla, Berufsvereinigung Bildender Künstler Salzburg, Salzburg / Österreich

Salzburg and Vilnius-twin towns, in 1989 the cooperation and partnership agreement was signed between capitals of the two countries. Cultural exchange and theopportunity for artists and cultural operators to participate in different projects have been emphasized as one of the main points of both Vilnius and Salzburg foreign policy. These relations became even more intense after Lithuania's accession to the European Union -many artists of different fields were given an opportunity to participate in cultural exchange programs.... The long-lasting bond between Salzburg gallery “art bv Berchtoldvilla” and Gallery “Arka” plays a significant role in the cultural cooperation of the two cities. In 2015 “art bv Berchtoldvilla” has initiated a renewal of the bond with “Arka” Gallery by organizing exhibitions in both Vilnius and Salzburg under one title "Salzburg -Vilnius: A Dialogue".
Short history of the cooperation:
The first exhibition of Lithuanian artists at “art bv Berchtoldvilla” Gallery took place in 1995. It was a presentation of 8 famous Lithuanian graphic artists. In 1996 the reciprocal exhibition was held at "Arka" gallery, presenting 6 Austrian artists. As a result of mutual work of artists of Salzburg and Vilnius an exhibition "Vilnius 2 Salzburg” was organized in 1997. The first part of the project was implemented again at "Arka" Gallery. In 1998 the second exhibition of this project was opened in Salzburg Old Town Hall. In 1999 a group of Vilnius' artists had a chance to come and create in Salzburg. In 2000 by the extended invitation from Vilnius Municipality Culture Department one of the initiators of this long-term cultural cooperation, Salzburg Artist Association board member Peter Rieder had visited Vilnius to participate in a workshop, as well as to open his personal exhibition in "Arka" Gallery. He became an initiator of the "Ars Baltica" network, which encouraged the artistic exchange between the Baltic countries, Finland and Salzburg artists. A series of projects took place in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2008. In 2010 a joint Austrian and Lithuanian artists' exhibition “RYŠYS / VERBINDUG" was held in Salzburg and Vilnius. 15 artists from both countries were participating in the project, the essential catalogue was printed and the openings of the exhibition were attended by the ambassadors of both countries.
Today, a large number of artists of both cities are acquainted with each other's work, as well as the current cultural context. Designer, illustrator and photographer Peter Rieder and his wife Regina Rieder are visiting Vilnius often and are constantly cooperating with several galleries and cultural institutions. In 2015 Peter Rieder was awarded by Lithuanian Parliament for his merits in strengthening and promoting Lithuanian and Austrian cultural communication,
"Salzburg - Vilnius: A Dialogue” is intended as an exhibition exchange project, accompanied by the communication of artists of the two countries. The project involves 12 authors from each city, who's latest works will be presented. The artists from both countries will have an opportunity to travel to the exhibition openings, to meet with their colleagues, to visit museums and galleries. The project will provide an opportunity for the audience of both cities to get acquainted with the latest artworks of Lithuanian and Austrian artists and to compare the prevailing trends, searching for parallels in the creative process. This is a great way to bring the creators from two countries together, as well as to search for parallels in the creative process and talk about each country's cultural uniqueness separately.

[Quelle: Ausstellungsinformation]