EXHIBITION "M. K. ČIURLIONIS: FROM BUDDHA TO REX"

Experiential Exhibition “Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis: From Buddha to Rex”, dedicated to the 150th anniversary of M. K. Čiurlionis' birth.

This exhibition invites visitors to explore the deeply spiritual themes central to Čiurlionis’s work and his unique visions of the Creator of the World. His ideas are conveyed through his distinctive artistic principles, including cinematic representation and the dynamic interplay of light and darkness. Featured highlights include postcards illustrated by Čiurlionis and the stained glass diptych Rex (1904), both from the collections of the M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art.

The entire artistic journey of M. K. Čiurlionis – from his earliest drawings to the monumental Rex (1909) – is marked by his quest to depict the God-Creator-Absolute. Fascinated by ancient Eastern religions and emerging spiritual practices, as well as by science, history, philosophy, astronomy, hypnosis, and synesthesia, Čiurlionis was deeply drawn to synthesis. He often wove together religious experiences and acquired knowledge into unified compositional images. Pagan mythology, Eastern cultural motifs, and Christian symbolism intertwine in his works – not as distinct and opposing forces, but as connected and harmonious expressions.

In his early painting years, Čiurlionis sent his brother Povilas in Vilnius illustrated postcards from Warsaw, which served as reproductions of his artworks and are known by the titles Buddha, Jehovah and Silence. Over time, the image of Rex – the creator and ruler of the world – emerged as the dominant theme in his oeuvre.

This exhibition is part of the project In the Footsteps of M. K. Čiurlionis
Organizer: M. K. Čiurlionis National Museum of Art
Sponsor: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania
Curator: Regina Stankevičienė
Architects: Saulius Valius, Rasa Butiškytė
Designer: Juozapas Švelnys 

The event is open to the public and will be filmed and photographed. By atending the event you agree to be featured in photographs and videos of the event and are informed that these photographs and videos may be made public.