Artūras Šimonis | City of Sad Children

On Friday, 26 June at 18:00, the LDS Gallery "Arka" invites you to the opening of set designer Artūras Šimonis's exhibition "City of Sad Children". During the event, a presentation and guided tour of three newly opened exhibitions at the gallery will take place. Artūras Šimonis is no stranger to the LDS Gallery "Arka": a few years ago, participating in the scenography exhibition "Navigation", he appeared as an artist sensitively bridging the fields of theatre and independent creative work. Then, as in this exhibition, his remarkable abilities as draughtsman, painter and set designer – who delves into themes of identity and masculinity – were revealed. In presenting his exhibition, the artist confesses: "The exhibition's principal thematic concerns are directed at the contemporary crisis of fragile masculinity and the identity of the 'inner child', at psychological and emotional traumas, reflections and experiences of the external environment. These and other thematic and problematic aspects are explored in the exhibition through the expressive means of scenographic representation. The technical task of the exposition is to convey an imaginary reality, the world of the imagination and a reconstructed stage picture in a social context, using installation compositions, various objects, theatre props and other expressive means. The aim of the exhibition is for the viewer to be able, through their own personal experience and traumas, to construct a subjective imaginative space, contemplatively engaging in the shared imaginative narrative being created." Artist Artūras Šimonis is one of Lithuania's most prolific set designers, whose creative work is not confined to the theatre stage. He actively participates in various festivals and exhibitions, designs events, and like many artists working in collective art, liberates his creative ideas in painting. He has tried his hand at independent creative work in theatre on numerous occasions, testing the boundaries of the designer's theatre: choosing plays himself, directing, creating stage sets, costumes and lighting, and employing computer technologies. His talent has been recognised and awarded multiple times with Golden Stage Cross nominations (2014, 2015, 2024) and an award (2007), Fortūna prizes (2014, 2017, 2024) and festival diplomas (2010, 2013, 2017, 2017, 2021, 2023). Dr. Raimonda Bitinaitė-Širvinskienė The exhibition is part of the creative programme of Gallery "Arka" and the Lithuanian Artists' Association. The organisation's activities are funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture. The exhibition runs until 26 July. Exhibition partners: Kaunas State Musical Theatre, Kaunas State Puppet Theatre.

Adresas: Arka - dailininkų sąjungos galerija