Belly-up Dream (Dog or Fish?) | Žygimantas Kudirka exhibition opening

On the 10th of May at 7 p.m. you will be able to step into the immersive world of Žygimantas Kudirka's installation, "Totalus svetimumas" (Total Strangeness), as Kaunas Artists’ House proudly presents the second exhibition of the "Belly-up Dream (Dog or Fish?)" programme. The exhibition will take place in an unconventional setting - the bar "O kodėl ne?" (A. Juozapavičiaus pr. 122 A), occupying one of its spaces.

According to the British writer Tymothy Morton, the painter Monet embarked on his water lilies series by capturing not just the flowers themselves, but rather the space they inhabit - the shimmering, reflective essence of water. Water, as Morton describes it, is the enigmatic substance that binds everything together. Žygimantas Kudirka's installation evokes parallels with Monet's work, albeit with a twist. Instead of depicting lilies, it presents a narrative tapestry through various voices: a fusion of found, computer-generated, and filmed images.

In essence, the video installation "Totalus svetimumas" (Total Strangeness) serves as a futuristic fever dream that speaks more to our present reality. It offers a guilty pleasure, beckoning the viewer into a techno-polyphonic journey - initially as a voyeuristic observer and ultimately as the protagonist of the unfolding narrative.

Additionally, the artwork delves into humanity's intricate connection with the body, exploring the perpetual quest to transcend the boundaries of our biological selves. The motif of water within the installation resonates with the imagery of the primal mirror in the myth of Narcissus, where humanity encountered its reflection for the first time.

Experience a specially arranged musical compilation by Kudirka (Radio Vilnius) x Na, Ša, starting from 8:00 PM onwards at the bar “O kodėl ne?”.

Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in another dream of a dark future. Join us for an unforgettable opening night filled with dark dreams, music, and exploration.

Admission is free. We look forward to seeing you there!

Žygimantas Kudirka is a writer, artist, and performer working in the fields of interactive fiction, speculative science fiction, artificial languages, and avant-garde rap. His works often take unexpected forms: alternate reality audio guides, radio plays created for the interior of a car, hacking into public media, or interactive solutions where the reader or listener is left to complete the work.

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Curator of the exhibition: Agnė Bagdžiūnaitė
The architect of the exhibition: Dominykas Daunys
Exhibition producer: Renata Šostakaitė
Exhibition technicians: Arūnas Periokas, Ignas Andriuškevičius, Laura Skučaitė
Visual graphics: Kornelija Zizaitė

Big thanks to Kaunas Biennial for its partnership and support.

The event is part of the project "Belly-up Dream (Dog or Fish?)". The project is financed by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.