Art loves Šiauliai, and people from Šiauliai love art... Come, admire, take photos and rate! Wall murals, artistic objects and accents, volumetric advertising, sculptures and fountains – interesting and cheerful artworks beautify the city of the Sun and create its special atmosphere.
Street art
The ‘living’ and colourful walls in Šiauliai attract the attention of passers-by, inviting them to stop, rest and dream. One of the latest and most striking graffiti is the image of scientist and discoverer Nicolaus Copernicus (author EttoJa), which, like many other artworks, can be found in the central part of the city. This street art initiative “Erasmus+” Wall: See an Opportunity seems to encourage you to raise your eyes to the sky and see the opportunities for your development. Another symbolic drawing – 80 Colourful Butterflies – is displayed on the wall of Šiauliai Drama Theatre (authors R. Uogintienė, A. Uogintas). Do not be surprised when, hiding from the rain, you will stand about under the old balconies of the boulevard and accidentally raise your eyes – here you will also see the artists’ works telling different stories. In Šiauliai, the plein-air workshops Sun Abduction organised in public spaces more than once have decorated the city and left interesting, colourful and mysterious traces of the creators.
Artistic objects and accents
While walking dreamily along one of the oldest boulevards, just keep looking around: in some places, you want to touch and sit down, in others, you want to take a picture. The latest artistic artwork Mirror of the Sun (sculptors K. Bimba, E. Gaubas, composition by G. Dapkevičius and engineer A. Šileika) is a work symbolizing not only the celestial body, but also the city of the Sun, which, when touched, lights up and sounds. The tactile map of solar objects in Šiauliai (sculptor A. Sakalauskas, designer V. Bernotas) is an exceptional opportunity to touch and feel the city’s places of importance. The clock Cock (author V. Puronas), which has become a popular meeting point for townspeople, not only shows time, but also greets passers-by in different languages. My Shoes (by M. Gaubas), looking for their owners, The Bell of Love (by D. Augulis), radiating with hope, valerian-loving Cats on the Roof (by V. Puronas) – these and other artistic accents also add a unique and playful touch for the city.
Volumetric advertising
A shoe, swallows, books, a snake, a crayfish – these are the old ‘residents’ of Šiauliai boulevard, who settled here high up on the poles almost half a century ago and have become distinctive signs of the city. Advertisements such as the snake twining around a glass or the crayfish that has hogged a packet of cigarettes aimed to warn about the harm of harmful habits to a person; these were the first anti-ads in Eastern Europe at that time. At that time, swallows lovingly cuddling up to each other invited passers-by to come to the bridal salon and giant books encouraged them to buy and read not just anything, but relevant publications. The author of the idea and the city’s main artist at the time Vilius Puronas is pleased that these works, once effective advertisers, anti-advertisers and beautifiers of the city, have now become the city’s folklore and the codes of certain values – an integral part of the image and history of the city of Šiauliai.
Sculptures and fountains
There is a sculpture or fountain waiting for you at almost every corner. The Reading Man (author H. Orakauskas), The Grandfather with Grandchildren, Three Elves, Pelicans, (sculptor B. Kasperavičienė), Birds (sculptor K. Kasperavičius), The Iron Fox (author V. Puronas) are works of art that have long earned a liking of passers-by and sentimentally peek out from the city’s postcards and magnets. You will find many more interesting, colourful and attractive sculptures and fountains in Šiauliai – the city of the Sun, sweets and unique museums!
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