METALLOphone: Vilnius (2011)
In the year 2011, the first metal art biennial – “METALLOphone” took place in Vilnius. It was and still remains the only event of such kind in the entire Lithuania. The biennial presented the works of 25 participants from different countries around the world: Lithuania, Italy, Ireland, Germany, Israel, Slovakia and Romania. The artists were invited to discover yet unseen face of Vilnius through metal art by refusing both patterned visualization – symbols and images that are rooted in the traditions of Vilnius portrayal, and stereotypical view of metal art frequently associated with décor or jewelry. The artists tried to conceptually disclose the Vilnius topic by refusing traditional functionality. The artists tried to conceptually disclose the Vilnius topic by refusing traditional functionality.
During the biennial, the artists presented certain details, findings and objects by choosing unconventional forms, unexpected material combinations and various processing techniques that through their prism relate to the city. Interestingly, the majority of the artists did not opt for grand, historically extensive though at the same time usual topics, they rather concentrated on the details that are noted very personally. Therefore, in this biennial, Vilnius was painted in interesting and unseen colors.
