“Tautos Laivė”
Yesterday, November 29, the decision of the Evaluation Commission of the competition for the idea and project of the monument “Tautos Laivė” organized by Šiauliai City Municipality was announced – the project “Aspiration for Freedom” won the competition. Two works with mottos LAISVĖS SIEKIS 2222222 and LAISVĖS OBELISKAS 2022022 were presented to the evaluation committee.
The search for the idea and project of the “Tautos Laivė” monument took five years, three competitions were needed before a solution was finally found and the project was chosen, which will be implemented in the representative Resurrection Square of the city of Šiauliai.
The competition evaluation committee consisted of well-known specialists in their field: the chairman was architect Audrys Karalius, the members were sculptor prof. Gediminas Karalius, sculptor Algirdas Bosas, architects doc. Saulius Pamerneckis and Vytenis Rudokas, Šiauliai chief architect Vilija Vaičekauskienė. Reviewers – sculptor Algirdas Kuzma and architect Giedrė Mendoza Herrera, Artūras Preikšaitis.
It was agreed that the monuments meet the requirements of the tender conditions, are technically implemented and harmoniously complete the ensemble of the square. The commission discussed that the LAISVĖS SIEKIS 2222222 responds to today’s aesthetics and modern means of expression, looking lighter and more youthful. The development of Lithuanian history is presented as a spatial model. The shape of a pointed pyramid resembles the peak of the Šiauliai Cathedral tower. The unity of style and laconic artistic language are maintained.
The minimalist form leaves room for individual reflections. Not burdened by information overload. Two materials – concrete and stainless steel – are combined, and the properties of steel are used. Artistic means are controlled and used meaningfully.
The chairman of the evaluation commission, architect Audrys Karalius, noted that the conditions of the competition were very “dictatorial”, indicating almost all the parameters, leaving no room for creativity, but he was satisfied with the interesting and creative solution.
The works of the competition will be exhibited in Šiauliai Art Gallery.
Contest administrator UAB Žalia linija
We thank Rolandas Parafinavičius for the photographs
