The former American head of state is determined to crack the puzzle. Photo by Viktorija Linikaitė.

VILNIUS — I have never been able to crack the Rubik’s cube. I’ve simply never had the patience for it. But that’s not the case for George W. Bush, who is working on it right now in the Contemporary Art Center (CAC) in the Lithuanian capital.

The extremely lifelike wax model of former U.S. president has been thinking about the puzzle block since he was delivered from England to be part of the new contemporary art exhibition, “Urban Stories.”

“Urban Stories,” which features multiple exhibitions and artists from 20 countries, is the latest in the 15-year tradition of the Baltic Triennial, one of the most influential contemporary art events staged in Eastern Europe.

“Occupying multiple venues throughout Vilnius, Urban Stories will transform the city for the period of the Triennial and introduce both the participating artists, and the audience, to diverse aspects of the city’s built fabric, its history, and its cultural life,” the CAC said in a press release.

A room full of food thrown on the table and floor, a vomiting Jesus, a tribute to the Bronze soldier from Tallinn, great photography and much more are on display in the CAC as part of the “Black Swans, True Tales and Private Truths” exhibition.

Another building in the center on Gedimino, called COOP, is a journey back to Soviet interiors and ideas with the “Gaps, Fictions, and Practices” project.

“Urban Stories” features art that reflects critically and humorously on the city at the time when its in the midst of the European Capital of Culture 2009 festival year.

Contemporary Art Center
Vokieciu str. 2

Vilnius COOP (former public social insurance offices)
Gedimino ave. 27