Arunas Gudaitis

For Accession, five artists from the newly accessioned countries of Eastern Europe have been commissioned to produce new work utilising new media. The artists are Arunas Gudaitis and Laura Stasiulyte from Lithuania, Miks Mitrevics from Latvia, and Ziemowit Maj and Agnieszka Chojnacka from Poland. Whilst their work is obviously individual, there can be no doubt that they do have a unique context in common. The transition of their respective countries from living under the influence of the Soviet Union towards democracy and independence has been a historic and dramatic journey. For those countries to accede into the EU is a conjoining of the two halves of Europe that perhaps represents the completion of this process. In the long history of Europe these are seismic changes.

For this project it seemed a unique and opportune moment to explore the experiences and responses of young artists living through these events, but also to facilitate a project in the spirit of accession and enable them to come to England. Each of the artists has been afforded a residency to give them the opportunity to interact with other artists and develop skills if appropriate. The new work exhibited will partly be a response to this experience of coming to England.

Laura Stasiulyte

Arunas Gudaitis and Laura Stasiulyte, from Lithuania, present their exhibition '58 Days In Norwich' at Norwich Arts Centre. The works are influenced in part by their responses to their country's journey towards democracy and independence, and partly by their experiences here in England.

Both Arunas and Laura hail from Vilnius in Lithuania, and have between them an impressive catalogue of exhibitions (group, solo and joint projects) for young artists from Eastern Europe. As well as shows in their own country, they have exhibited at both regional and national galleries in Switzerland, France, Austria, Poland, Germany, Finland, the UK and even New Zealand.

This is the first time that Laura and Arunas have worked together on a project, but their previous individual work shows their similar concerns. Laura takes interest in the depiction of small narratives that are often overlooked within everyday life. Habitual conducts such as reading a magazine or chatting with friends are weighed up against symbolic activities like speaking in public, to create an examination into the archaeology of identity. Arunas prefers to investigate the phenomenon of borders - whether of place, object, or body - and considers the crossing of boundaries as fundamental to his work. Preferring not to merely document a situation, Arunas engages himself fully in the event himself, often involving direct intervention or participation.

For this exhibition, the artists are also investigating issues relevant to the venue itself, Norwich Arts Centre; including the re-use of religious buildings, the nature of entertainment and issues of consumption.

For more information on both artists, please visit www.youngartists.lt or www.culturebase.net.