Lithuania's Modern Art Museum by Daniel Libeskind opens

Studio Libeskind Mo contemporary art Museum opens

Lithuania's new modern art institution, MO Museum, has just opened in Vilnius to a design by Studio Libeskind.

(Image credit: Hufton + Crow)

This weekend saw the four-day celebration of the opening of the brand new Modern Art Museum in Vilnius, Lithuania. The striking new structure, designed by New York-based Daniel Libeskind, ‘is conceived as a cultural “gateway” connecting the 18th century grid to the medieval walled city', explains the architect; it also proudly features its creator's signature sculptural style.

The museum – called MO – and its public plaza is steps away from Vilnius' historic medieval city, and the whole complex spans some 3,100 sq m. It was an essential piece of work to connect the country's present, future and past, says the museum's director, Milda Ivanauskiene.

‘The MO Modern Art Museum is a cultural milestone for the city of Vilnius and Lithuania as a whole. This new world-class institution will showcase local art and will explore its links with the global art scene,' says Ivanauskiene. ‘These never before seen works of art created behind the Iron Curtain will finally have a venue and international audience'.

*The MO museum complex includes a new public plaza for Vilnius.*

The structure features a relatively simple, rectalinear facade, clad in white plaster, referencing the city's existing architecture. A centrally placed, open staircase at the building's heart guides the visitor through the museum and also appears on its facade, cutting through and connecting the street with the upper floors.

Inside, a variety of galleries allow for the admiration of local art, bathed in light through glazed facades and open planning, and lead to outdoor areas such as a terrace and a sculpture garden at the rear. The halls will host both permanent and temporary shows. The museum also includes a café, bookstore, educational areas, auditorium, storage and administrative spaces; so there really is something for everybody there.

‘As someone who has a true appreciation for the history and beauty of Vilnius, I believe the building and its architecture will become a wonderful place to enjoy art and the spirit of the city', says Libeskind.

Studio Libeskind Mo contemporary art Museum Vilnius — The structure was designed to connect the city's past, present and future.

Studio Libeskind Mo contemporary art Museum Vilnius Lithuania — A dramatic staircase connects the street with the galleries inside, drawing people in

Studio Libeskind Mo art Museum Vilnius Lithuania — The interiors feature galleries for permanent and temporary shows, which are bathed in light through glazed facades

Studio Libeskind Mo Museum — A striking spiral staircase inside links the lobby area with different galleries.

Studio Libeskind Mo Museum Vilnius — Libeskind's signature sculptural style is evident throughout.

Studio Libeskind Mo Museum Vilnius Lithuania — The building also includes a café, bookstore, educational areas, auditorium, storage and administrative spaces.

INFORMATION
For more information visit the Studio Libeskind website

Ellie Stathaki is the Architecture & Environment Director at Wallpaper*. She trained as an architect at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece and studied architectural history at the Bartlett in London. Now an established journalist, she has been a member of the Wallpaper* team since 2006, visiting buildings across the globe and interviewing leading architects such as Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas. Ellie has also taken part in judging panels, moderated events, curated shows and contributed in books, such as The Contemporary House (Thames & Hudson, 2018), Glenn Sestig Architecture Diary (2020) and House London (2022).