On Thursday, 30 April, the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) presents the first exhibition in the programme developed by its new director, curator and writer, Valentinas Klimašauskas. It opens with the international group exhibition ‘Superglue, or Inventing the Friend’. As polarisation continues to intensify globally and within society, this exhibition, focused largely on figurative art, offers an expanded reflection on encountering the other.

One of the exhibition’s central questions is: what still drives us to form connections against a backdrop of deepening polarisation, narcissism, permanent connectivity, the commodification of relationships, multiple crises and wars? Is it still possible to build a relationship with the other? Can we construct ourselves through the other in a positive way – seeing them as more than an enemy or a friend? If so, might this be one of the functions of contemporary art? And finally, how, despite everything, do we become friends?

The exhibition’s themes are echoed in the CAC’s unusual opening format. This time, the opening will unfold throughout the day, inviting visitors to take part in a range of activities from 12:00 to 23:00, both in person and remotely, via the online radio station Radio Vilnius.

On the opening day, visitors will be welcomed by the artist Malka Sultan. Working in collaboration with students from the Vilnius Academy of Arts, she will present an all-day performative infrastructure, “Community Streets”. The project explores everyday forms of improvisation and their potential to generate communal spaces within the city. The CAC Sculpture Yard will be transformed into a temporary street ecosystem where spontaneous social connections emerge. Cooking, sharing tea, wandering, and chance encounters will become ways of creating a sense of togetherness. At the centre of these encounters will be a work by designer Gabija Paulauskaitė, “Fused Bonds: Cooking Together”, inviting visitors to treat food preparation as a meaningful social act.

Visitors will also be invited to join tours led by CAC guides, the exhibition’s curator Valentinas Klimašauskas, and participating artists. These offer an opportunity to engage more closely with the exhibition’s themes and the works that explore them.

Throughout the day, conversations with members of the exhibition and opening event teams will be broadcast by the event’s partner, the online community radio station Radio Vilnius. The broadcast will be accompanied by a special music programme curated by the station’s resident DJs.

Further information about the DJs participating in the music programme will be announced soon.

The evening programme will conclude with a performance by visiting artist Maryana Klochko (UA).

OPENING DAY PROGRAMME:

12:00 | Community Streets | Set-up and introduction of the performative soup station; visitors are invited to participate | CAC Sculpture Yard

14:00 | Community Streets | Activation of the pani puri station; visitors are invited to participate | CAC Sculpture Yard

15:00 | Guided tour in Lithuanian of the exhibition ‘Superglue, or Inventing the Friend’, led by CAC guides | Starting point: CAC ground-floor foyer

A free ticket is required; tour capacity is limited to 30 participants. Registration

16:00 | Alumni of the CAC summer camps in conversation with the exhibition’s curator Valentinas Klimašauskas | CAC outdoor terrace

17:00 | Guided tour in Lithuanian of the exhibition ‘Superglue, or Inventing the Friend’, led by the curator Valentinas Klimašauskas and participating artists | Starting point: CAC ground-floor foyer

A free ticket is required; tour capacity is limited to 30 participants. Registration

17:00 | Community Streets | Edible installation – sympoiesis | CAC outdoor terrace

18:00 | Opening remarks | CAC outdoor terrace

18:00 | Community Streets | Set-up of the performative grill station and shared meal | CAC outdoor terrace, CAC Sculpture Yard

19:00 | Live performance by Maryana Klochko (UA) | CAC Sculpture Yard

20:00 | Community Streets | Set-up of the performative Chai ki tapri station and tea sharing | CAC outdoor terrace, CAC Sculpture Yard

20:00–23:00 | Radio Vilnius music programme broadcast | CAC Sculpture Yard

Admission to the exhibition and all events is free.

Weather conditions may affect parts of the programme. Any changes will be announced via the CAC’s social media channels. Follow updates on Instagram: www.instagram.com/smcvilnius/ and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smcvilnius

Photography and filming may take place during the event. Attendees may appear in photographs and/or video recordings, which may be published on social media and other channels.