Vilnius University Library will be opening an exhibition Giuseppe Zevola: Ex Libris on 19 June at 4 pm.
An exhibition “Ex Libris” is an installation designed by the Italian artist Giuseppe Zevola specifically for the old reading room of Vilnius University Library. It is the second personal artist’s exhibition in Vilnius. Exhibits created by the artist are original, multi-layered collages of images placed on various surfaces: paper, foil, fabric, and book models. Engravings of old Vilnius prints are incorporated into the collages created by the artist and are equally significant for his memory map. Cultural, religious, and social layers of images overlap in his artistic pieces, thus creating new visual layers of meanings that enhance the aesthetic and emotional impact of the works. The mirrored surfaces of the prints catch reflections, and the surfaces of the collages change with the changing position of the viewer, thus expanding the boundaries of the visuality of the exhibits. Zevola's works create a dialogue with the old books and engravings of Vilnius University Library, immersing the viewer in the multi–layered world of old books. When opening his first personal exhibition in Vilnius at his friend Jonas Mekas' centre (2013), he said: "Instead of catching fish, I fish for outlines of paintings, wordplay and some poetry. Sometimes I even fish in a boat, with which I travelled for three years. During the trip, I met with Fortuna and had caught a big tuna and ate it all, so that is why the inside of me – the mystical philosopher – is neither tragic nor ugly, but very colourful" (Laima Žemulienė. Philosopher and Mystic of Sunny Naples, 2013-07-11. Kauno.diena.lt).
The exhibition contributes to the celebration of the 2500th anniversary of the founding of the city of Naples – the city's rich cultural tradition is reflected in the light of the 455th anniversary of Vilnius University Library.
Giuseppe Zevola (b. 1952) lives and creates in Naples. He is a philosopher, poet, performance creator, musical performer and reader. He draws inspiration from the Neapolitan philosopher Giordano Bruno (1548–1600). Zevola’s creation and life were greatly influenced by intellectual exchanges with the famous artists of the 20th century: Hermann Nitsch (1938–2022), experimental film artist Peter Kubelka, Italian philosopher Antonio Gargano, Lithuanian film artist Jonas Mekas (1922–2019) and others. He worked for a decade in the Historical Archives of the Institute of the Banco of Naples Foundation, where he wrote the book Piaceri di Noia (The Pleasures of Boredom, Milan, 1991), with a foreword by the art critic Ernst H. Gombrich.
He has held numerous exhibitions around the world, some of his most recent installations being Naples Calls New York: Mystic Teresa (Anthology Film Archives, 2005, New York), Naples Calls Kyoto: 33 Photocollages for a Book" (University of Art and Design, Kyoto, 2005), Works and Days: The Rule (Certosa di San Lorenzo, Padula, 2003), Prince Antonio de Curtis Calls Daedalus: The First Experiment of the Cosmographic Imagination (Kaplan Projects, Palazzo Spinelli, Naples).
The exhibition will be displayed in the Franciszek Smuglewicz Hall of Vilnius University Library (Universiteto str. 3) until 8 August 2025.
Exhibition curator: Dr. Jolita Liškevičienė
Snieguolė Misiūnienė
2025-06-12