Retro 6: 2nd Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2000

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The Gallery “Arka”

Retro 6: 2nd Artist‘s Book Triennial Vilnius 2000

This is what is left-over

We continue our series of articles about Artist’s Book Triennials, organized by Circle “Bokartas”

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2nd Artist’s Book Triennial in the Gallery “Arka”

Theme: “Apocalypse”

Time & Location:

“2nd International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2000”
2–28 November 2000, Gallery “Arka”, Vilnius, Lithuania

“Calligraphic’ Artist’s Book”
2–28 November 2000, Gallery “Kaire-Desine”, Vilnius, Lithuania

“2nd International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2000”
10 January – 3 February 2001, Gallery 5020, Salzburg, Austria

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Jessica Carson. Ireland. Artist’s book “Self Portrait at Apocalypse”. 2000

If in the “1st International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 1997” participated “only” 62 artists from 13 countries, for the 2nd Artist’s Book Triennials jury selected 140 artists from 29 countries: from Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and USA.

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Opening of the Triennial in the Gallery “Arka”

The theme of the “2nd Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2000” was “Apocalypse”. There could be no other name to an exhibition which was happening in the interface of the centuries. At long last the interface gave the opportunity to read the “Apocalypse of John”. It is part of the Bible – a holy book for the Christians – which speaks about the end of the world. Probably not only one was surprised, at how much it resembles our times, what scares us or at least makes us reflect upon it. So, some of the artists were immersed in religious and cultural apocalyptic meditations, others went deeper into the experiences of their nation or those of “hot spots of the world”, as well as of their own or their families.

Along with the main exposition of the 2nd Artist’s Book Triennial, a satellite exhibition of Calligraphic Artist’s Book was arranged. 17 artists from Switzerland, Spain, Hungary, Russia, Germany, Estonia, Bulgaria, USA and Lithuania created calligraphic artist’s books on the “Apocalypse” theme.

The main Exhibition was exhibited in the Gallery “Arka” in old town of Vilnius, in beautiful building surrounded by several churches near the “Our Lady of the Gate of Dawn” (built between 1503 and 1522, the Gate of Dawn is one of Vilnius’ most important religious, historical, and cultural monuments). For the opening of the “2nd International Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 2000” arrived many artists from abroad in what I was very surprised. The Calligraphic Artist’s Book Exhibition was exhibited in the Gallery “Kaire Desine”, where 3 years ago was on display the “1st Artist’s Book Triennial Vilnius 1997“.

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The street with the gallery “Kaire Desine”

In the next day after the opening of the 2nd Artist’s Book Triennial we had the Conference on Artist’s Book.

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Helena Andreeff makes a speech

In the Conference participate: Diane Maclean from Scotland, Sabine Hoffmann from Germany, Ilona Kiss from Hungary, Salvatore Cerceo from USA, Helena Andreff from Sweden, Eef Zipper from Austria, Rene Haljasmae, Kristel Ounapuu, Katrin Parnabas, Merike Sule from Estonia, Rasa Januleviciute from Lithuania.

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Artist Rene Haljasmae from Estonia

We have made 2 days trip in Lithuania in most famous places, like Cross Hill and Nida.

The original hand bound numbered and signed catalogue of the 2nd Artist’s Book Triennial was published. It was in three languages: Lithuanian, German and English. The catalogue was printed on paper Nettuno Panna 100 g/m2 in two colours red and black.

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The Catalogue of the 2nd Artist’s Book Triennial

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The Catalogue of the 2nd Artist’s Book Triennial

For me as curator it was most difficult Artist’s Book Triennial when it was very little financial support and a lot of work. After working at nights and days my health status was so bad that before the opening of the Triennial I had to go to the hospital. But here I had to ask for a doctors to give me a short freedom for the opening of the Triennial. So, after the opening, conference and trip with artists to Nida, I spent two months in the hospital… My brother sent artist’s books collection to the Exhibition in Salzburg, because I was after operations and I was thinking about the meaning of life in bed…

Photos made with analogue photo camera

Kestutis Vasiliunas
curator of the Triennial