“USURPATION”: EXHIBITION AND WORKSHOP BY PIJUS “PIDŽIN” ČEIKAUSKAS

On Friday, January 19, 2024, at 17:30, the exhibition “Usurpation” by street art group “Artojai” opens at the Exhibition Hall of Klaipėda Culture Communication Centre (Didžioji Vandens str. 2, Klaipėda). During the exhibition, Pijus “Pidžin” Čeikauskas will give four workshops to introduce participants to genius examples of street art, guiding them through the process of using a paint can, cutting stickers, and preparing posters along with the glue. The exhibition runs until February 11.

 

WITHOUT BEING A PLOUGHMAN FIRST, YOU NEVER BECOME… AN ARTIST?

Street art activities of “Artojai” (“Ploughmen”) are usurping the KCCC Exhibition Hall with two in one: Pijus “Pidžin” Čeikauskas’ exhibition and workshops. The artist seeks to talk to young people about “what is street art and why is it worth tasting?” and to discuss “why it itches so much to stain those buildings?” The peaceful “takeover”, or “usurpation”, invades the crisp white spaces of the KCCC and breeds here like the “invasive graffiti” you see on the stairs of your apartment building. The exhibition will show the results of the activities that have been carried out so far by the “Artojai” and the behind-the-scenes of the creative work of Pijus “Pidžin” Čeikauskas. The exhibition will also feature creative workshops, a pop-up shop, and a sticker-making station.

 

“Artojai” is a cultural phenomenon initiated by young Klaipėda residents and launched in autumn 2022 to revitalize the street art of the port city. Housed in a lowly watchman’s hut, “Artojai” watches the pulse of the city, day and night. “Artojai” conducts workshops inside the bus, engage in mural art, organize “colorful nights” and orchestrate various artistic actions. “Artojai” is a street art park in the making, never ending as a territorial unit. It’s an idea and people. In 2023, “Artojai” won the Klaipėda Youth Project of the Year.

 

CREATIVE WORKSHOPS

Pijus “Pidžin” Čeikauskas encourages us to ask ourselves “what happens when you try to blow against the wind”? In his opinion, trying to punish and catch young “scribblers” won’t mean clean walls or quality art but only more incentive to rebel. The aim of “Artojai” is to transform that rebellion into skilled art; to show respect for one another and for oneself. Above all, not to be superficial and parasitic. This serves as the groundwork for contemporary street art because it’s an expression of creativity that has no rules and needs no specialization.

 

Hence, in our workshops – theoretical and practical sessions for all those who want to create in and for the city – we will try to develop the skill of observing the city, paying attention to the tiniest details, occasionally spotting “objects that are deemed unnecessary for the city” and transforming them into our canvases. During the series of four workshops we will get to know genius examples of street art, hold paint cans, cut and exchange stickers, prepare posters and the glue needed for them. The workshops are open to participants aged 10 and above and will take place on Saturdays (January 20 and 27, February 3 and 10) at 12:00 at the KCCC Exhibition Hall (Didžioji Vandens str. 2). The workshops are free of charge, but registration is required: www.artojo.lt.

 

THE ARTIST

One of the people responsible for “street art propaganda” in Klaipėda is Pijus “Pidžin” Čeikauskas. He is a street artist, illustrator and promoter of street culture. He graduated from Klaipėda Eduardas Balsys Gymnasium of Arts in 2012, where he started to develop as an artist. In 2017, he graduated with a BA in Animation. In 2021, he obtained his Master’s degree with the project “Local Guide”, which tells about the specifics of the local culture through the prism of street art. Currently, he works in his studio on Artojo Street. Driven by an educational impulse, he shares the nuances of mural painting, the specifics of using paint and other practicalities of the street art world.

Opening hours of the KCCC Exhibition Hall (Didžioji Vandens str. 2, Klaipėda): Wednesday-Sunday from 11:00 to 19:00 (closed on public holidays). Photography and filming will take place during the opening of the exhibition. Please be aware that participants may be seen in photographs and videos of the event published in various media outlets. For more information visit www.kkkc.lt and www.kulturpolis.lt.