MO Museum is finally opened
MO Museum is finally opened
The private MO Museum founded by Danguolė and Viktoras Butkai opened its doors to the visitors on October 18th. The building designed by famous architect Daniel Libeskind was built instead of the former cinema theater „Lietuva“ and it will be open to all visitors, despite their age or interests.
The first guests and visitors were congratulating the MO museum on its opening day. October 18th is a start of 4 day MOrathon of the opening event programme where everyone is welcome to explore all the spaces of the museum.
As the founder of the museum Viktoras Butkus has said, MO museum would be the place where art would be represented attractively and with an invitation to engage. “I am really happy that we finally have crossed the finish line but I totally understand that the most important work is still ahead. We want the museum to be alive, so for that reason we will do our best to attract visitors. And not only for one visit, for constant visits”.
The architect of the museum Daniel Libeskind, who came to Vilnius on this special occasion, added that he has designed many large scale museums around the world, so it was thrilling to design an intimate and iconic museum for a great collection of contemporary art. “As someone who has a true appreciation for the history and beauty of Vilnius, I believe the building and its architecture will become a wonderful place to enjoy art and the spirit of the city”, – added D. Libeskind.
The vision of the museum was also described by Mayor of Vilnius Remigijus Šimašius: “I believe that together with MO museum the city of Vilnius can be called the city of art – open, aesthetic and modern. With the help of the educational projects organized in MO museum, the art feeling of the young people of Vilnius city will be shaped for many years from now on. Vilnius municipality is supporting the mission of MO and will help to grow the art talents promoting Vilnius as a modern city in the world”.
“MO is definitely the largest and the most prestigious private investment in culture not only in Lithuania, but in the whole our region. The founders of the museum made an incredible thing – the emergence of this wonderful collection. The museum itself is not only a new physical object, it’s also a cultural one, a spiritual change in our consciousness. We hope that the museum will carry out its mission: broaden the scope of collection, carry out educational programs and be a modern intellectual home both for art, music, cinema professionals and their admirers”, – while congratulating on the opening said Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson, Minister of Culture.
The first exhibition curated by prof. Raminta Jurėnaitė also proves that the museum is open to all point of views. The exhibition called “All Art Is About Us” challenges viewers to look at the art works both from their own personal perspective and through the broader prism of Lithuanian national identity. The exhibition interweaves multiple strands of Lithuanian historical experience – the post-war period, the Soviet thaw, the stagnation of the Brezhnev years, the relief that came with perestroika, the independence movement Sąjūdis and the restoration of the Lithuanian state, and the rapid change and new challenges that ensued.
Photos: Rytis Šeškaitis
