On the historical slope of Gediminas Hill in Vilnius, a massive artwork has come to life – a striking creation by renowned French artist Saype. The art project, created in collaboration between the National Museum of Lithuania, the French Institute, and Vilnius City Municipality, is the latest installation by Saype – real name Guillaume Legros – who Forbes has recognized as one of the most influential young artists in art and culture.
Completed between September 6 and 17, the artwork depicts clasped hands to symbolize unity and friendship between France and Lithuania, inspired by the historic Baltic Way – a 600 km human chain demonstrating the push for freedom from the Soviet Union. Just as two million people stood hand-in-hand in 1989, defying oppression in a peaceful show of solidarity, Saype’s artwork serves as a reminder that acts of unity can break down the barriers that divide us.
“Upon discovering the Baltic Way in the Gediminas Tower exhibition at the National Museum of Lithuania and viewing the photographs, I felt an overwhelming sense that Vilnius had been patiently awaiting my arrival,” Saype said.
Blending street and land art, Saype uses eco-friendly paints made from chalk and coal, which he developed himself to ensure no harm to the environment. The biodegradable artwork will remain on display for a month, weather permitting.
The project also serves as a centerpiece of the “French Echoes in Lithuania” program, a multidisciplinary initiative promoting cultural exchange between France and Lithuania from September to December. It brings French artists, academics, and designers to Lithuania for a series of events, including workshops, discussions, and performances, all aimed at strengthening cultural ties and exploring themes like ecology and heritage.
Simultaneously, under the slogan “Se voir en l’autre” (“To see oneself in the other”), the Lithuanian Season in France introduces French audiences to Lithuanian art and culture.
The Vilnius artwork marks the 21st stop in Saype’s global “Beyond Walls” series, which has connected cities from Cairo to Montreal with its powerful message. Through the imagery of interlaced hands, the project seeks to dismantle the visible and invisible walls that divide us – whether geographical, social, or mental. Each hand tells its own story, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of humanity, while collectively symbolizing a shared effort toward solidarity.
Saype’s vision is bold: to create the world’s largest human chain, one that transcends borders and reminds us that, despite our differences, we are all connected in a common cause.
