INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOUR BIENNIAL
“BALTIC BRIDGES. Displacements”
Kaunas, Lithuania
2008
“Baltic Bridges” is an international watercolor project which is being organized in Kaunas (Lithuania)
for the second time and is set for artists of various creative spheres. The objective of the project is:
revealing the variety of watercolor’s artistic thought, a lively and dynamic approach to the millenary
experience of watercolor, seeking for its original angle of form and meaning. We stimulate artists’
experiments on shape and their authentic, modern look at the topic and content of artworks. The most
original and creative works will harvest awards and special organizers’ prizes.
The project consists of several events: the main exhibition, the satellite group and personal exhibitions,
and the conference, devoted to analyzing matters of contemporary watercolor.
Brief history and changes in the present time
The beginning of the project touches the year 1968, when Latvian artists started the tradition of Baltic
States’ watercolor triennials, which were held in Riga (Latvia). Participants of these exhibitions
represented their countries on the international stage every third year, having the ability to share
experiences of watercolor and to value achievements of their colleagues. The exhibitions undoubtedly
induced the progress of Baltic States’ watercolor and a positive competition among watercolorists.
In 2006 the centre of watercolor’s traction was moved to Kaunas city: Lithuania started to organize the
event, giving a metaphoric title “Baltic Bridges” to the project. It was decided to organize the exhibition
every second year (status of biennial), aiming to reveal the discoveries of watercolor more dynamically.
The geographical limits have also expanded strongly – we invite artists from all over the Baltic and
Nordic Region to participate in the exhibition. This is the way we hope to shape an open and strong
international community of artists, to find and maintain new cultural contacts, to acknowledge the
character of art of these countries better and exchange creative ideas.
The conception. Displacements
The conception of Watercolor Biennial’ 08 is outlined by a notion “displacements”, which is open to
various creative interpretations. Firstly, it is one of the most proper words to describe the lightness,
volatility of watercolor’s artistic language, the optical illusion of motion, the merging of spots of colors.
Secondly and most important, we search for displacements and breaks in the tectonics of watercolor’s
quality and content, we suggest avoiding banality or creation that satisfies itself only with decorative
virtues. The organizers of biennial put much value upon greatly mastered traditional means of
expression but also encourage not limiting oneself by usual creative methods and drawing daringly the
newest trajectory of watercolor’s displacements.
Kotryna Džilavjanaitė
Curator of “Baltic Bridges”
Art Critic of LAA Kaunas Department
Eugenijus Nalevaika
Project leader of “Baltic Bridges”
Chief of LAA Kaunas Department
INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOUR BIENNIAL
“BALTIC BRIDGES. Displacements”
Kaunas, Lithuania
2008
Time of project: July 11- August 24, 2008.
Place of project: Kaunas Picture gallery (K. Donelaičio str.16, Kaunas)
Organizer: Lithuanian Artists Association’s Kaunas Department, Chairman Eugenijus Nalevaika.
Address and contacts of project: Rotušės a. 26, LT- 44279 Kaunas, Lithuania; tel./fax.: +370 37 20 56
22, e-mail: baltic.bridges@gmail.com (curator Kotryna Džilavjanaitė).
Conditions for participants:
We are waiting for Your applications till May 1, 2008. Your application must consist of:
1. Entry form (which You may find below).
2. Artistic biography (CV)
3. Photos of artworks (You may offer up to 5 works; the side of work should be no less than 50
cm but not necessarily). The photos must be digital, optimal quality no less than 300 dpi,
CMYK, RGB Color, the size of file not bigger than 5MB. Photos will be used in biennial’s
catalogue.
You may send Your applications by post (in such case write all the data into a CD):
International Watercolor Biennial
Rotušės a. 26
LT- 44279 Kaunas
Lithuania
or by e-mail: baltic.bridges@gmail.com
Other conditions:




All the applicants will be informed by e-mail about the results of jury work till May 20, 2008.
Selected artworks will have to be sent by post (address above) till June 15, 2008. Sending
expenses will be paid by authors.
After exhibition artworks will be sent back to authors together with a catalogue for every
participant. Sending expenses will be paid by LAA Kaunas Department.
Participation fee for selected artists is 30,-Euro per person (not per artwork).
N.B. The program of the project consists not only of exhibitions but also the conference which will be
dedicated for analyzing matters of contemporary watercolor. If You would like to participate in the
conference with a report, please let us know in advance.
INTERNATIONAL WATERCOLOUR BIENNIAL
“BALTIC BRIDGES. Displacements”
Kaunas, Lithuania
2008
ENTRY FORM
I. ABOUT ARTIST:
Name, surname:
Date of birth:
Address:
Tel..:
E-mail:
II. ABOUT ARTWORK:
Title:
Technique, material:
Size (h × w cm):
Year of creation:
Selling price (if artwork is for sell):
Comments on artwork (if You want):
If You apply with more than one artwork, please copy the item II and write down the
information about other artworks in the same order.