Two-Meter Fired Chamotte Sculptures Unveiled on the Shores of Lake Talkša

From June 13 to 23, 2025, an exceptional creative event full of originality and authenticity took place on the shores of Lake Talkša in Šiauliai – the large-scale chamotte sculpture symposium “Pillars of the Sun.” Artists from Lithuania, Latvia, and Germany participated, creating four nearly two-meter-tall sculptures representing the four classical elements: earth, water, air, and fire. The highlight of the symposium was the unveiling ceremony of the fired sculptures, held on June 23 during the ethnographic celebration “Joninės. The Magic of the Elements.” Afterward, the sculptures were relocated to their permanent exhibition space in the newly renovated territory of the Rėkyva Cultural House.
Organizer – Šiauliai Cultural Center. Partner – Šiauliai Art School. Financed by – Šiauliai City Municipality.

The elements of nature are the four fundamental forces long considered the foundation of the world's structure: earth, water, fire, and air – which are reflected in the nearly two-meter chamotte sculptures created by the symposium participants. Each of them symbolizes a unique power and vital principle: these elements help us understand our place in the world, reminding us of our connection with nature and the cyclical transformations that affect not only our surroundings but also our inner selves.

On June 23, the large-format chamotte sculpture symposium “Pillars of the Sun” culminated in the unveiling ceremony of the sculptures, which became an inseparable part of the ethnographic celebration “Midsummer. The Magic of Nature’s Elements.” The ceremony began with a festive procession from the Music Courtyard (Sundial Square), in which young women carried fire torches, as if igniting a connection between ancient Baltic traditions and contemporary art. Upon reaching the final destination – the Pillars of the Sun Courtyard (by Lake Talkša) – the four impressive sculptures were unveiled to the audience, surrounded by water and light, while flashes of fire burst from the openings in the sculptures.

The element of earth was represented by artist Ilze Emse (Latvia) – a cylindrical sculpture symbolizing our planet. Latvian mythological symbols are immortalized on its surface, and the geometry of cultivated fields is reflected in the sculpture’s structure, symbolically connecting Zemgale and Samogitia – two fertile lands known for their farming traditions.

The element of fire was embodied by the Šiauliai-based duo – Irena and Vilius Šliuželiai. Their sculpture is a free-form improvisation, inviting the viewer to interpret fire in their own way: as emotion, energy, life, or renewal. It is a work that speaks of inner light, burning, and burnout.

The element of water was conveyed by Petras Rakštikas and Benas Aldakauskas (Lithuania). Their sculpture portrays the ever-changing, flowing state of water, contemplating it as a symbol of fertility, life, purification, and a mediator between worlds.

The element of air was embodied by the work of Živilė Bardzilauskaitė (Lithuania) and Domilė Ragauskaitė (Germany) – a delicate sculpture of cyclical nature and dynamics, inviting one to feel the flow of seasons and our connection with invisible but vitally important forces.

The birth of the sculptures was no less impressive than their unveiling. The process of creativity and technical work lasted ten days, during which the artists patiently shaped their ideas into clay forms. The chamotte mass brought from Latvia – a special material capable of withstanding high temperatures and thermal shock – became the base for all sculptures. After shaping, each work required an additional three days of natural drying, after which the preparation for firing began. The sculptures were covered with special kaolin wool chambers, which protected them during firing. On June 23, from early morning, the kilns were fired with wood for about ten hours, until a temperature of about 1000 °C was reached inside. Then the chambers were removed, and the heated sculptures glowed like the sun – this became the true culmination of the event, which all festival attendees could enjoy.

The large-format chamotte sculptures were relocated on June 25 to the newly renovated territory of the Rėkyva Cultural House. This is not merely a practical decision – it is a meaningful symbolic step that strengthens the cultural identity of this neighborhood. It is hoped that the emerging sculpture park here will become not only an aesthetically unique space for residents, but also a hub of creative ideas, inviting artistic walks, events, and encounters with art forms under the open sky. This cultural initiative embodies the idea that art need not be confined to galleries – it can be accessible to everyone. The sculpture park will live together with the community, encouraging further creative initiatives, artist residencies, and educational activities for children and youth.

Information provided by Erika Novikovė, Cultural Events Organizer of the Šiauliai Cultural Center’s Event Organization Department, mob. +370 678 46 145, e-mail: erika.novikove@siauliukc.lt.

Photo by Rolandas Parafinavičius.