To the Moon (or Maybe) and Back Motherhood

Motherhood is one of the most sensitive and, at the same time, one of the most socially regulated experiences. Throughout history, it has been shaped by norms, expectations, ideologies, and structures of invisible labor—often confined between private experience and public roles. Today, motherhood is increasingly understood as a complex, multi-layered, and often contradictory condition, where personal experience, social roles, and cultural narratives intersect.

Philosopher Danielle La Susa defines motherhood as an existential challenge that transcends biological and social definitions (“Death Was a Theory, Until I Became a Mother,” 2021). This perspective highlights motherhood as an experience that, within contemporary logics of productivity, often remains invisible or undervalued, even though it fundamentally shapes one’s relationship with oneself, the body, and the social environment.

The project “To the Moon (or Maybe) and Back” invites us to look at motherhood not as an idealized state, but as an ambivalent experience—full of closeness, tension, creativity, exhaustion, and constant transformation. It is a series of events where visual art, performance, theatre, discussions, and community practices come together to open a space for sensitive and critical dialogue.

The visual art exhibition brings together artists of different generations, reflecting on motherhood at various stages—from early experiences to relationships with adult children. Through diverse media—textile, photography, installation, sculpture, graphics, jewelry, performance, and video—motherhood is articulated here as a multifaceted experience, encompassing both individual and collective social dimensions.

During the exhibition opening, a performance by Vaida Tamoševičiūtė will take place, alongside the presentation of Karolina Žernytė’s autobiographical performance “Mama sapiens.” The program will continue with educational and discursive activities—workshops, guided tours, and an interdisciplinary discussion—expanding the thematic field of the exhibition and creating space for critical reflection.

The aim of this project is to foreground the theme of motherhood in the work of contemporary artists and researchers, encouraging an open, sensitive, and critical approach to an experience that is often idealized, undervalued, or silenced. This is not an attempt to provide definitive answers, but an invitation to remain within complexity, to speak about contradictions, and to share experiences.

The exhibition and related events will take place at Trakų Vokė Manor—historically associated with family life and community. This setting becomes an essential part of the context, allowing motherhood to be reflected upon not only individually, but collectively. The project is intended for a broad audience—not only mothers or those speaking about motherhood, but for everyone, inviting a reconsideration of one’s relationship to motherhood and its experiences.

Design: Indrė Kupstienė
Project curator: Jelena Škulis
Funded by: Lithuanian Council for Culture
Supported by: Vilnius City Municipality

PROGRAM

MAY 10

• 1:00 PM – Opening of the exhibition “To the Moon (or Maybe) and Back”, guided tour (Wine Cellar)

Participating artists:

Aliona Šalaj, Dileta Deikė, Eglė Vengalytė de Meulenaer, Jolanta Sendaitė-Paulauskienė, Jurga Juodytė, Liucija Dervinytė, Laima Kreivytė, Martyna Plioplytė-Zujienė, Milda Paukštė, Ugnė Upė Lučiūna, Indrė Kupstienė, Jelena Škulis

• 2:00 PM – Performance by Vaida Tamoševičiūtė (Library, 2nd floor)
• 3:00 PM – Autobiographical theatre “Mama sapiens” (Dining Hall, 1st floor)

Director – Karolina Žernytė
Actresses – Marija Baranauskaitė-Liberman, Kristina Morta Paškevičiūtė, Karolina Žernytė
Composer – Migloko
Sound and lighting – Paulius Burakas

MAY 23

• 12:00 PM – Guided tour of the exhibition
• 12:30 PM – Discussion on the challenges of motherhood

Discussion participants:

Dr. Agnė Matulaitė-McIntosh (psychotherapist, founder of the Phenomenological Research Institute),
Dr. Laima Kreivytė (artist, art historian, curator, activist),
Jolanta Sendaitė-Paulauskienė (artist, working in the field of hydofeminism),
Dr. Dovilė Kuzminskaitė (researcher, literary scholar),
Liucija Dervinytė (artist, curator, organizer of cultural activities).

Moderator: Dr. Jelena Škulis (artist, researcher, lecturer).

Workshops will take place throughout the project.

More information:
 https://vokesdvaras.lt/
 https://www.facebook.com/TrakuVokesDvaroSodyba
 https://www.instagram.com/traku_vokes_dvaras/