Antanas Žmuidzinavičius 150. Exhibition "Silent Horizons"

From May 5, we are opening the exhibition "Silent Horizons," dedicated to the anniversary of A. Žmuidzinavičius, at the A. Žmuidzinavičius Works and Collections Museum of the National M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art (V. Putvinskio St. 64, Kaunas). The year 2026 marks the 150th birthday of the painter Antanas Žmuidzinavičius. This is an invitation to take a fresh look at the creative legacy of one of the most prominent cultural figures of the Dainava region. The exhibition, with the symbolic title "Silent Horizons," presents A. Žmuidzinavičius's landscapes not only as visible images but also as experienced states of being. In his work, the landscape becomes a living space containing emotional and cultural layers of meaning. The exhibited works reveal the geographical amplitude of the artist's travels – from Lithuania to the United States of America, experiencing different light, climates, and moods. The landscapes bear witness to experienced adventures, longing, a sense of freedom, and a restrained, reflective relationship with the world. In this exhibition, we invite the viewer to pause and look deeper. Encoded messages lie within the landscapes, reflecting the moods of the era, the creator's personal attitudes, and essential aspects of his biography. The landscape here is not merely an aesthetic space for contemplating the visible environment – it becomes a silent expression of identity, values, and civic consciousness. In moments of national trial, the landscape acquires a special meaning: it becomes a symbol of strength, spiritual support, and inner resistance. On the other hand, the landscape can also function as a tool of ideological representation, contributing to the construction of political narratives and the formation of propaganda discourses. The growing public interest in A. Žmuidzinavičius's personality and activities shows that his work can be understood not only in the chrestomathic context of art history but also as a living, culturally relevant phenomenon today. The exhibition seeks to foster dialogue between generations, strengthen cultural awareness, raise questions, and seek answers, even if they sometimes sound uncomfortable. However, the most important question remains for each of us: today, in the rush of everyday life, do we still stop to look at a flowing river, listen to the rustling of trees, see the clouds drifting in the blue sky, or do we know how to hear the silence? "Silent Horizons" invites you not only to look but also to experience – to discover your own inner landscape. Exhibition dates: 2026 05 05 – 2027 02 16 Exhibition patron: Dr. Jaunius Gumbis Lithuanian Art Foundation Partners: Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, Vladas Putvinskis-Pūtvis Club, Lithuanian National Museum of Art, TARTLE Lithuanian Art Centre, Vytautas the Great War Museum, UAB Bikuvos prekyba, Mantas Steponavičius Art Collection, Vilnius City Museum Beatričė's House, Sibirka Rose Garden. We thank the grandchildren of Marija and Antanas Žmuidzinavičius: Augis Gučas, the late Rimantas Gučas, Birutė Gučaitė, and the late Giedrė Gučaitė. Exhibition curator: Jurgita Rimkutė-Vainiuvienė Exhibition coordinator: Daina Zozaitė Exhibition education: Giedrė Grinkevičiūtė, Vincenta Pokštienė Exhibition communication: Vida Labanauskienė, Monika Mastavičiūtė, Milda Žiūkaitė Exhibition graphic design: Naglis Rytis Baltušnikas Editors: Aurelija Gražina Rukšaitė, Armandas Rumšas Translator: Armandas Rumšas Exhibition architecture: Ekspobalta Exhibition technicians: Irmantas Kuskys, Mindaugas Bagdonavičius, Izoldas Smagarauskas, Rimantas Bernatavičius