Virtuality is much more than just a by-product of digital fictionalism, but the realm of ideas that actively shape our reality. The city of Vilnius, which is celebrating its seven hundred (700) years anniversary, is itself a notable example of a virtual project. Established with the letters promising an inclusive and open city for everyone: to this day the city is still being created by the power of narrative and collective imaginaries.

Based on the “Virtual Space” talk series the team of Architektūros fondas, partnering with The Bartlett School of Architecture, present a symposium dedicated to exploring the importance of virtual and emerging technologies in shaping our daily habits and quotidian environments. The event will include virtual excursions and screenings of city symphonies, which will allow visitors to experience the transformations of Vilnius through times and ideologies. Equally, curated talks with local experts aim to enrich our understanding of how digital tools both influence, and make-over, the twenty-first century city.

Lithuanian architects Justinas Dūdėnas, Povilas Vincentas Jankūnas and artist Adomas Žudys will present the project “National Gallery of Virtuality”, while historian and director of the Vilnius Museum Rasa Antanavičiūtė will present the most interesting ideas of the unrealised 20th century architectural and urban projects in Vilnius. The film “Laikas eina per miestą” by A. Grikevičius and “Once Upon A Vilnius” by E. Doškus will also be screened during the event. Sandra Youkhana and Luke Caspar Pearson (You+Pea) will give a talk about video games as an enabling tool in creating and communicating urbanism and architecture, Polly Hudson will present the multidisciplinary knowledge sharing project on building stocks called Colouring London which addresses Computer Vision and Digital Heritage. Short presentations will be given by the Cohort of Immersive Assembly – an international, multidisciplinary, digital residency, focused on new work, new innovations and new paths to sustainability for the media arts sector (Tatiana Collet Apraxine, Dian Joy, Max Percy and Lucy Wheeler). The concluding discussion will be moderated by Will Jenings.

Visual by Adomas Žudys.

For the full programme and tickets, please follow this link https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/event/virtual-as-vilnius/

The event is organised by the Architektūros fondas, Bartlett School of Architecture and the Lithuanian Cultural Attaché to the UK.

The activities of the Architektūros fondas are funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture. The event is organised in cooperation with the Lithuanian Cultural Institute.