This summer, the Sensory Art Centre and the House of Histories, a branch of the National Museum of Lithuania, invite visitors to a unique cultural encounter. Throughout July, two distinct yet like-minded cultural institutions have come together under one roof to create an even richer artistic experience – a place where visitors can explore history and contemporary art while also embarking on immersive virtual reality journeys.

From now on, residents of Vilnius and visitors to the city can experience three different exhibitions during a single visit to the House of Histories, as well as two virtual reality experiences already well known to the public: “The Trail of Angels” and “The Creation of Worlds”, both inspired by the works of Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis.

According to Simona Širvydaitė-Šliupienė, Director of the House of Histories, the collaboration is a natural continuation of the museum’s ambition to offer visitors the broadest possible spectrum of cultural experiences.

“At the House of Histories, we are always striving to create a vibrant, open, and multifaceted cultural space where history enters into dialogue with the present and art becomes an experience. We are currently presenting several outstanding exhibitions that invite visitors to discover the worlds and themes of different artists. We are therefore delighted that our spaces are now also home to the virtual journeys that so many people have already come to enjoy – experiences that subtly expand the boundaries of the traditional museum visit and allow audiences to engage with art in an entirely new way,” shares the museum’s Director.

This partnership offers visitors the opportunity to experience culture in greater depth: a single visit becomes a layered journey through different artistic forms, historical narratives, and new ways of learning made possible by technology.

Justė Keršienė, Executive Director of MB Virtualiai, also speaks about the value of the joint initiative.

“We are very pleased that this July we can offer visitors significantly greater value. Those who come to experience one of our virtual reality works can also visit the House of Histories exhibitions at no additional cost. In our view, this is a wonderful example of making culture more accessible – especially during the summer, when people are looking for meaningful experiences, moments of respite, and opportunities to unwind. It is wonderful that visitors can not only rediscover Čiurlionis’ work during a single visit, but also encounter the work of other artists, explore visiting exhibitions, and experience a variety of creative worlds. It feels meaningful to give people the opportunity to enjoy more culture in one place,” says Keršienė.

Following their chosen virtual reality experience, visitors are invited to explore the three exhibitions currently on view at the House of Histories: A Soul Between Worlds: “The Ainu People of Northern Japan and the Ethnographer Bronisław Piłsudski”, “Riding the Wave of the Paris Exhibitions: Ethnography, Cultural Diplomacy and Identity”, and “Gazing at Each Other: A Photographic Dialogue Between Stanisław Filibert Fleury and Sigitas Parulskis”.

The initiative serves as a reminder that today art can no longer be confined to a single form or mode of experience. It can be observed, listened to, felt, and lived through history, technology, or one’s personal relationship with a work of art.

This collaboration, launched in Vilnius in July, invites visitors not to rush, but to pause – to make time for curiosity, discovery, and a deeper encounter with culture.