On Wednesday evening, the French artist Saype presented his impressively large mural Beyond Walls on the slope of Gediminas Hill.
Part of the French Echoes in Lithuania programme, the giant mural depicting two clasped hands symbolises cultural cooperation between Lithuania and France, but also proclaims the idea of human unity. The artist says Vilnius is special because of the history of the Baltic Way. Saype hopes that people who participated in the 1989 event will also come to see the work.
“A year ago, I was in Vilnius, I visited the museum in the Gediminas Tower, where I learned for the first time about the Baltic Way, about the longest human chain in the world – two million people. It was an incredible thing. I realised that the symbol of joined hands, meaningful to me and to you, should be depicted on the slope of this hill,” Saype told LRT.
Saype has already created large murals of hands holding hands in 20 cities around the world, from Tokyo and Cape Town to Cairo and Geneva. Vilnius is the 21st city to host a work by one of the pioneers of the movement that unites street and land art. This mural is unique because it is on a slope. The world-renowned artist calls the opportunity to work on Mount Gediminas “an extraordinary honour”.
Rūta Kačkutė, Director of the National Museum of Lithuania (LNM), also expressed her delight at the deep meaning of this project at the presentation of the French Echoes in Lithuania programme last Friday.
“The hands symbolise the friendship between Lithuania and France, and also reflect an important event for Lithuania and not only for its people – the Baltic Way,” said Kačkutė.
The site for the work was chosen responsibly, in coordination with the institutions. It was the first time Saype had to work on a steep slope, tied with a safety rope.
“I usually work on the ground and you need a drone to see the work, but here it is a gift to Lithuanians,” said the French artist.
The slope had to be sprayed at least five times to give the work on the grass the look it was intended to have. The paints used by the artist are environmentally friendly, made from water, charcoal and chalk. How long the work will last depends on the weather conditions.
The monumental fresco is best seen from the foot of Gediminas Hill, from the LNM's Pilininkas House.
The French Echoes in Lithuania programme will start on 17 September. The event will take place on September 17 at Sirvydas Square on the main campus of Vilnius University.
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