The Contemporary Art Center (CAC), renovated after major renovation and soon inviting to the opening of the 15th Baltic Triennale, and the Sapiegos Palace, a new branch of the institution opened to visitors in the spring, agreed on support and joint initiatives with the creative real estate (RE) development company "Reefo". This is the first patron of the institution.
"Reefo" will make a significant contribution to creating contemporary art exhibitions, developing educational and cultural activities, expanding the audience and mobilizing communities, and in the Sapiegi Palace - to the continuation of restoration projects and other palace activities. Presented works of art and organized cultural events in the renovated buildings of "Reefo" and in their public spaces will open up more opportunities for city residents and guests to experience the phenomena of reality reflected by contemporary art and to draw inspiration.
The director of the Contemporary Art Center, Kęstutis Kuizinas, was happy that the new phase of the CAC's activities is accompanied by this partnership: "In more than 30 years of the CAC's activity and work with private sponsors, this is perhaps the first partnership of this scale. It is based on mutual values, listening and striving to reflect the most interesting phenomena of modern reality, foster community and a deeper understanding of cultural processes in society. I hope that the successfully developing partnership with Reefo as an example of good practice will inspire and encourage more business representatives to work ambitiously together with the cultural field and create their own success stories."
The team of the Sapiegos Palace cares that the cultural dialogue of the present and the past takes place in the palace spaces. According to Gintautė Žemaitytė, the head of the Sapiegos Palace department of the CAC, this partnership is important for the Sapiegi Palace for several reasons, first of all, because of greater opportunities to reveal the beauty of the palace to the public, to reflect on the development of residential architecture and its connections with the lifestyle of different eras. "Cooperation with Reefo is based on the values that unite us - the pursuit of sustainability, creative interpretation of heritage, openness to innovation. I have no doubt that this partnership will open up new opportunities for both us and the wider society", - Gintautė Žemaitytė shared her thoughts about the new partnership.
Reefo stands out among real estate developers: the company is engaged in the reconstruction, conversion and management of buildings and hotels, developing a new concept and identity of the object in each case. According to Karolis Aidulis, co-founder and manager of the company, such a project development and management process requires exceptional creativity and conceptuality, and he sees the friendship with CAC and the Sapiegos Palace as strategically important in strengthening the creative possibilities of "Reefo" - it starts with the slogan "Inspire art". "While developing building concepts, we try to find the best relationship between the building and the environment - one that connects the past, present and future. We find a lot in common with the contemporary art community, people who try to answer fundamental questions, who find answers or perhaps new, even more interesting questions in the field of art, architecture and design. We wholeheartedly support the dialogue of contemporary art, heritage and constantly changing reality created by the Contemporary Art Center and the Sapiegos Palace, and we want to contribute to it," said the manager of Reefo.
About Reefo:
"Reefo" is a creative real estate development company engaged in the reconstruction, conversion and management of buildings and hotels, and describes the essence of its activity in three words: Rethink, Redesign, Redevelop. Currently, "Reefo" in Vilnius is developing a hybrid accommodation business model in the "Corner" hotel in Naujamiestis, luxury apartments in a historical building on J. Basanavičiaus street, as well as building conversion in Užupis. Reefo's projects have already been implemented: "Loft gallery" and "Loft factory" in Vilnius, the "Šilko" rest house building in Palanga turned into "Palanga Dreams" apartments, and the conversion of the "Nidas Banga" hotel in Nida. While implementing projects, the company has previously used artistic solutions and presented the works of contemporary art creators.
About the Contemporary Art Center and Sapiegos Palace:
Contemporary Art Center (CAC) is one of the largest contemporary art spaces in the Baltic region. It is a state budgetary institution, which in 1992 established by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania. CAC aims to enrich the cultural life of the city and the Lithuanian and international contemporary art discourse, to create conditions for the professional opportunities of artists and other participants in the art field to spread. CAC annually organizes group and solo exhibitions of Lithuanian and foreign artists, performance, literary and other events, film screenings, implements a wide educational program and publishing projects. Every three years, CAC organizes the Baltic Triennial, one of the most important exhibitions in Northern Europe. CAC also cooperates with foreign biennales and art spaces in presenting the work of Lithuanian artists, and organized the Lithuanian national pavilion at the Venice Art Biennale more than once.
The Sapiegos Palace is a significant monument of architecture, art and history - part of the Sapiegos residence of the nobles of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Trinitarian monastery and the church ensemble, later hospital buildings or a military complex. Located in the Sapiegos Palace, the CAC department aims to become a bright, lively and inspiring place on the cultural map of Vilnius, which gives all groups of society the opportunity to expand their cultural horizons in an exceptional environment. Through its activities, the Sapiegos Palace actualizes the issues of heritage preservation and adaptation to modern life, creates an open and harmonious relationship with like-minded people in the fields of culture, art and science, builds relationships with partners and city communities. The palace spaces are adapted not only for exhibiting art and other artifacts, but also for various events.
