| Abstract [eng] |
This Master's thesis examines the role of contemporary art in Lithuania’s cultural diplomacy through a case study of the Golden Lion-winning opera-performance "Sun & Sea" at the 58th Venice Biennale. The research aims to reveal how a small state can generate international symbolic capital by employing mechanisms of aesthetic diplomacy and departing from traditional representations of national identity. Drawing on Gillian Rose’s critical visual methodology and qualitative content analysis, the case is analyzed across three dimensions: institutional expectations, aesthetic expression, and audience reception. The findings demonstrate that the success of the Lithuanian pavilion was driven by the deliberate avoidance of political didactics and the "grounding" of the global climate crisis through relatable, everyday aesthetics. The study concludes that prioritizing universal themes and affective engagement allows for the successful formation of international solidarity networks ("affective communities"), thereby transforming artistic visibility into long-term political influence. |
