On 6–7 November, the international iron art and blacksmithing conference STRIKE will take place at the Estonian Academy of Arts, bringing blacksmiths, artists, designers and researchers to Tallinn from Europe, Asia, Australia and the United States.
The two-day conference explores the significance of blacksmithing in the contemporary world, the role of manual labour, and the possibilities of iron and metal in contemporary art. All events are free and open to the public.
The STRIKE conference will address the impact of iron on human development, the future of traditional blacksmithing techniques, and the significance of craftsmanship and physical labour in contemporary society. Its international programme provides a meeting place for practitioners and researchers from different fields to share knowledge, introduce diverse working methods, and discuss the current state of blacksmithing and its future possibilities.
Speakers include philosopher Eik Hermann, archaeometallurgist Ragnar Saage, jewellery researcher Julia Wild, Australian blacksmith and artist Will Maguire, German artist Peter Bauhuis, Japanese photographer Jun Ishikura, and Indonesian blacksmith Raditya Mahardhika, among others.
Sander Haugas, Nils Hint and Urmas Lüüs will discuss the current state and future of Estonian blacksmithing, highlighting developments and challenges in the local field within an international context.
The STRIKE conference is part of a major international iron art and blacksmithing event taking place in Tallinn from 4–8 November, organised by the Jewellery and Blacksmithing Department of the Estonian Academy of Arts. In addition to the conference, the programme includes an international travelling exhibition, a student exhibition, workshops and live demonstrations open to the public.
Admission is free.
Conference presentations can also be watched via the EKA TV livestream:
Conference programme:
November 6th
9:30 Registration – Coffee
10:00 Welcome Address by Rector Hilkka Hiiop
10:05 Introduction to the symposium
10:15-14.30 Lectures (two coffee breaks with light snacks are included)
14:30 Lunch Break – Lunch at Participants’ Own Expense
16:00 Workshops and demos:
– ”Is there a man in the house?” – Knife sharpening by Aleš Rezler (in the jewellery workshop B-504)
– “Get Nailed!” – Nail Forging Workshop by Villu Mustkivi (in the smithy B-106)
– ”No blacksmithing” demos with metal and glass by Taavi Teevet, Andra Jõgis, Rait Lõhmus (in the glass workshop B-604)
* Please note that the workshops’ capacity is limited. Participants will be registered on site.
17:30 Guided tour at EKA
19:00 Opening of the STRIKE Exhibition – EKA Valge maja, Kotzebue 10
November 7th
10:00 Day Two – Welcome and Opening Words
10:15 Lectures (two coffee breaks with light snacks are included)
14:30 Lunch Break – Lunch at Participants’ Own Expense
16:00 Guided tour of decorative ironwork in Tallinn’s Old Town by Heigo Jelle
18:00 Opening of the exhibition ”Hardware” – Pika jala torn (Long Leg Tower), Pikk jalg 3
20:00 Social gathering