Kaunas Biennial’s art and public commission is concerned with new practice and thinking about role of artists in the context of the city.  From June until November 2009, Jeanne van Heeswijk, an artist from Netherlands, will create an art project at Kaunas Castle Bus Station. 

Celebrating the 1^st millennium anniversary of Lithuania, the intention is to bring back attention to this almost abandoned district, which is located just beside the most important and the oldest part of the city.

Jeanne van Heeswijk is known for her site specific, socially engaged and collaborative art projects.  In collaboration with artists, architects, citizens and government she created art projects in different countries of the world but until now never in Lithuania. One of her best known projects „De Strip“ was created in a regeneration area of Westwijk, Vlaardingen. The project continued for a decade during which van Heeswijk, together with the local community, created plans for the district‘s regeneration, established art zones in the derelict buildings of the area, created education opportunities for local people and transferred new arts and cultural capacities to local people.

From June 27^th until July 3^rd van Heeswijk will make a first research visit to Kaunas. She will make a public presentation of her art practice on the 30th of June, 5p.m. at Gallery 101 (Laisves. Al. 53, Kaunas)and all are welcome. 

  Friendly Zone # 1  

In 2008 the following artist projects were addressed to various publicsthrough the Katos outdoor advertising video screens: 

"I love" playfully explores positive energy and emotions.Project author: Vilnius based Egle— Ganda Bogdaniene. Director: Aleksas Gailieša. Technician: Audrius Lašas 

"Lost" uses the device of a poem about Kaunas by G. Patackas. Project author: Inga Likšaite. Animation: Claudia Rohrmoser. Poet: Gintaras Patackas 

"Dam the anger - makeelectricity" uses the metaphor of transformation: the Kaunas dam with its potential for violent energy is released into electricity that feeds the city.  Psilikono teatras: Aukse— Petruliene—, Darius Petrulis.