SetP Stanikas Lithuanians, b. 1961 and 1962
Nanto uolos I / Rocks of Nantes I, 2015
Foam rubber, wood, plastic, plexiglass, plaster, cotton
178 x 269 cm
Further images
This artwork by the artist couple Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas explores themes of time, memory, and emotional resonance. Known for their ability to blend classical motifs with contemporary forms, the...
This artwork by the artist couple Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas explores themes of time, memory, and emotional resonance. Known for their ability to blend classical motifs with contemporary forms, the Stanikas duo often balances between idealism and decadence, tragedy and grotesque. Their unique style reflects influences from both Vilnius and Paris, capturing the essence of Baroque and Gothic aesthetics infused with elements of romanticism, decadence, and even the macabre.
In this piece, however, Svajonė and Paulius shift towards a more lyrical and elegiac expression. Titled Spring, the work is infused with a delicate sense of melancholy, interwoven with subtle touches of gentleness. The artists strip away overt political themes, instead focusing on the abstract concept of time—a blend of fading memories, sounds, and impressions that sting yet linger.
Drawing on techniques like drawing, photography, video, and object-based installations, this artwork melds fragments from previous projects. Here, these elements appear not as literal references but as part of a continuous narrative that immerses viewers in "sensual formalism," where abstraction deepens into raw emotionality. Unlike many of their earlier works, this installation features no historical or biographical figures; instead, it evokes a sense of dissolution and renewal, as though each element is in a state of flux, fading but with a persistent hint of rebirth.
As internationally recognized Lithuanian artists, Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas have exhibited globally, representing Lithuania at biennales in Venice, Liverpool, Moscow, and Beijing, as well as at renowned institutions like the Pompidou Centre and the White Box gallery in New York.
In this piece, however, Svajonė and Paulius shift towards a more lyrical and elegiac expression. Titled Spring, the work is infused with a delicate sense of melancholy, interwoven with subtle touches of gentleness. The artists strip away overt political themes, instead focusing on the abstract concept of time—a blend of fading memories, sounds, and impressions that sting yet linger.
Drawing on techniques like drawing, photography, video, and object-based installations, this artwork melds fragments from previous projects. Here, these elements appear not as literal references but as part of a continuous narrative that immerses viewers in "sensual formalism," where abstraction deepens into raw emotionality. Unlike many of their earlier works, this installation features no historical or biographical figures; instead, it evokes a sense of dissolution and renewal, as though each element is in a state of flux, fading but with a persistent hint of rebirth.
As internationally recognized Lithuanian artists, Svajonė and Paulius Stanikas have exhibited globally, representing Lithuania at biennales in Venice, Liverpool, Moscow, and Beijing, as well as at renowned institutions like the Pompidou Centre and the White Box gallery in New York.