Tenth edition: Liminality

The tenth edition of Vilnius Gallery Weekend (VGW) invites you, on September 11–14, to explore art across boundaries and experiences. One of Lithuania’s most prominent contemporary art events, it offers an intense art trail through the capital’s galleries and unexpected exhibition spaces.

Since 2016, VGW has marked the opening of the exhibition season each year, bringing together art institutions, independent galleries, artists and audiences to meet, discover and experience the most relevant currents in art. This year, more than 30 art spaces are taking part in the joint gallery programme, while the curated programme will expand the art routes and invite visitors to encounter works in unusual locations.

Continuing the tradition of entrusting the curated programme to one of the city’s art spaces, the 2025 edition is shaped by the (AV17) Gallery, known for its work with contemporary sculpture, in collaboration with art historian Karolina Tomkevičiūtė.

“The state of weightlessness is not unique to our region—a sense of uncertainty has become a constant companion in daily life. Political, social and environmental factors challenge the individual: how do you keep your balance and adapt when living in a constant state of transition? It often feels as if we are standing at the threshold of imagined choices we must cross, yet still wondering which direction will truly make a difference when we take that step. This dilemma is what connects us, and yet each of us seeks different points of departure,” says (AV17) Gallery director Kristina Mizgirytė.

The curators invite a focus on the notion of liminality—transition, change and uncertainty—as a contemporary experience. The programme asks: how can we live between states, when the choice, direction or decision has not yet become clear?

In shaping the programme, the curators reflected on the boundaries and diversity of contemporary sculpture, when an object becomes a process, and space becomes an experience. Sculpture here is a platform for exploration, shifting from aesthetic beauty towards critical thought, experience, social and cultural action, and inviting the viewer to take part — and to become part of that relationship.

The curated VGW programme Liminality will present works by eight artists: Danas Aleksa (Lithuania), Milda Dainovskytė (Lithuania), Arturas Bumšteinas (Lithuania), Kristaps Epners (Latvia), Ieva Epnere (Latvia), Gabija Švanaitė (Lithuania), Kęstutis Svirnelis (Lithuania/Germany) and Andris Eglītis (Latvia). The works will be shown in a memorial complex, Lithuania’s oldest university, industrial spaces, an old town building opened especially for the programme, a former prison and a city park.

This year’s programme goes beyond exhibitions with VGW hosting an international public discussion on the role of contemporary galleries in a changing cultural landscape: what functions do they take on today? How do artists operate in the art market, and what challenges do they face?

Participating galleries will offer a broad range of events: guided tours, performances, exhibition openings, and artist talks. The event brings together independent initiatives, institutions and different generations of artists. This year, VGS invites you to discover new perspectives and reflect on cultural experiences in diverse art and urban spaces.

Full programme, artist profiles and event schedule—galerijusavaitgalis.lt.

Organisers and supporters
Curated by: (AV17) Gallery with Karolina Tomkevičiūte / Organiser: Vilnius Gallery Weekend Public Institution / Communication: Stefanija Jokštytė, Eglė Trimailovaitė, Viktorija Aprimaitė, Laisvė Radzevičienė  /  Project partner: Lithuanian Interdisciplinary Artists’ Association / Project funded by: Lithuanian Council for Culture, Vilnius City Municipality.