Exhibition of sculptor Rimantas A. Šulskis' stelae "Fauna"

FAUNA IS BACK

This exhibition tells the still unfinished story of one magnificent work by sculptor Rimantas Šulskis (1943–1995) — the cycle *“Fauna.”* The seven bas-reliefs, depicting powerful fantastical birds and beasts, are meant to finally find their place on the façade of the Tadas Ivanauskas Museum of Zoology, as they were originally intended for it. The idea of returning Rimantas Šulskis’ works to their rightful place on the museum façade has been quietly simmering in Kaunas for quite some time. It is hoped that this exhibition will be a significant impetus to realize this vision and thus finally restore historical justice.

During the Soviet era, as the Zoology Museum (formerly the Central Jewish Bank building) was expanded, its façade was turned into a dull and expressionless surface. At the initiative of architects A. Keturka and K. Zykus, sculptural accents with animal motifs were meant to liven up the façade. This commission was entrusted to sculptor Rimantas Šulskis at the architects’ request. However, halfway through the work — and with four of the seven large steles already fully created — the project, the *“Fauna”* cycle, was rejected by Soviet authorities without explanation.

Now is the time to complete this story by finally realizing the vision of the architects and the sculptor — by affixing the seven *“Fauna”* steles to the museum’s façade. Both the museum and Kaunas’ Laisvės Avenue would be enriched by a meaningful and unique sculptural work — the seven *“Fauna”* steles. Four of the magnificent bas-reliefs by Rimantas Šulskis, intended for the Tadas Ivanauskas Museum of Zoology, have been standing for many years in a secluded area of Kaunas near Ąžuolynas. They were “exiled” there because they had already been cast in bronze. The sculptor had no opportunity to complete the remaining three bas-reliefs.

This exhibition also includes photographs of the uncast *“Fauna”* bas-reliefs being sculpted by sculptor Danielius Sodeika based on the surviving material. The exhibition also features architectural proposals by architect Gintaras Balčytis, which were approved by the Kaunas Architectural Experts Council (KAUET) back in 2011.

Dr. Rasutė Andriušytė - Žukienė, exhibition curator