EKA Gallery

“Carmen Electra” – like a bolt from the blue!

The band ants1 will perform their musical “Carmen Electra” at EKA Gallery three more times in March! The act combines contemporary dance, colorful costumes, disturbing music, and scandalous statements into its magical world. The libretto was collaboratively written by members of ants1, with the lead role performed by the eternally young and immortal Anumai Raska.

“Carmen Electra explores themes that feel both familiar and melancholic to a generation coming of age in a time when Europe is once again at war. It is a time when leaders of great nations won’t acknowledge climate change, when carrots cost more in Estonian grocery stores than in Belgium – even though the average income here is three times lower,” says a rabbit who wished to remain anonymous, commenting on the background of the production. “What will become of us like this?”

The band ants1 is a collective that emerged from the Estonian Academy of Arts, whose members work in various fields of contemporary art. When they come together, the collective is called ants1, whose music connects contemporary social problems with the painful yet fun language of punk music.

The musical “Carmen Electra” is not recommended for children under 12.

Performers: Ekke Janisk, Ats Kruusing, Andreas Kübar, Eke Ao Nettan, Anumai Raska, Henri Särekanno, Mattias Veller
Costumes by: Lisette Sivard
Light design by: Leon Allik
Sound design by: Roman Belov
Co-producer: elektron.art
Supported by: Estonian Cultural Endowment, City of Tallinn

Performances will take place on March 25, 26 and 28 at the EKA Gallery (Põhja pst 7, Tallinn). The performance is in Estonian with English subtitles. Entrance through the EKA lobby (from Põhja puiestee).

Tickets are available at Fienta:
https://fienta.com/ants1-muusikal-carmen-electra-156400

More info: https://elektron.art/projects/carmen 

Short films developed in 3D and puppet animation techniques by the 2nd year students of animation
EKA Gallery video booth 25.02.–22.03.2026
Open Tue–Sat 12–6 pm Sun 12–4 pm, free of charge

The films present intriguing characters, relatable situations, inner dialogues, beauty and absurdity. Quite literally, they take the viewer on a journey from outer space to a drop of water, from the macro world to the micro world. It is especially fascinating to observe how different techniques influence one another. Digital and material spaces enter into dialogue through form, texture, rhythm and atmosphere.

Step into the cinema space and allow yourself to be carried into the worlds created by these emerging filmmakers.

Participants: Paolo D’Angelo, Ailin Budõlina, Kätri Jaaguman, Maibrit Kaur, Aleksandra Nikolajeva, Tobias Oblikas, Karl Erik Pajo, El Soosalu
3D course supervisor: Hleb Kuftseryn
Supervisors of the puppet animation course: Anu-Laura Tuttelberg and Francesco Rosso.

Screened films:

1. “Fiore (Flower)” (3D) by Paolo D’Angelo
2. “Tangled Senses” (Puppet film) Maibrit Kaur, Aleksandra Nikolajeva
3. “Creature Therapy” (3D) by Maibrit Kaur and Aleksandra Nikolajeva
4. “A Nail in the Table” (3D) by Karl Erik Pajo
5. “Pain Killer” (Puppet film) by Paolo D’Angelo, Tobias Oblikas
6. “Still Raining” (3D) by Tobias Oblikas
7. “One More Time”  (Puppet film) El Soosalu, Kätri Jaaguman
8. “Lost and Found” (3D) by El Soosalu and Kätri Jaaguman
9. “Inner Wolf” (Puppet film) Karl Erik Pajo, Ailin Budõlina

The total duration of the films is 21 minutes.

“Image Is for Illustrative Purposes Only. Interventions in the Monumental Murals of the Old Airport Terminal’s Central Waiting Hall at Tallinn Airport”
EKA Gallery 21.02.–22.03.2026
Open Tue–Sat 12–6 pm Sun 12–4 pm, free entry (NB! EKA Gallery is closed on February 24.)
Opening: Friday, February 20 at 1 pm
Guided tour: Thursday, February 26 at 3.30 pm

What should be done with the legacy of totalitarian regimes? Should it be intervened in? And if so, in what circumstances – and how?

The exhibition grew out of a practical need to engage with two ideologically charged socialist realist monumental paintings in the old terminal of Tallinn Airport. One is View of Moscow by Viktor Karrus and the other View of Tallinn by Richard Sagrits (both 1955). In 2025, in cooperation with Tallinn Airport, a competition was held to create intervening artworks, but the winning proposal was ultimately not realised by decision of the commissioning body. For the exhibition, the paintings have been loaned to the Estonian Academy of Arts to present artists’ interventions in dialogue with the original works. Additional layers are revealed through archival materials related to the airport. After the exhibition, the painting will be given to the Art Museum of Estonia.

The exhibition has been created as part of “How to Reframe Monuments”, a collaborative project between the Estonian Academy of Arts and Tallinn University, funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture.

Artists: Hanna Piksarv, Kati Saarits, Anna Škodenko, Sigrid Viir, Jevgeni Zolotko and Viktor Karrus, Richard Sagrits
Curators: Linda Kaljundi, Kirke Kangro
Curator of archival materials: Jarmo Kauge
Designer: Anna Škodenko
Technical support: Margus Elizarov, Erik Hõim, Ain Kilk, Priit Laanekivi, Oliver Kanniste, Madis Kaasik, Visa Nurmi, Sofia Schneider-Sepping, Mattias Veller
Graphic designer: Kristjan Mändmaa
Language editors: Phillip Marsdale, Hille Saluäär
Näituse töörühm: Merike Kallas, Taavi Tiidor, Annika Tiko, Maris Veeremäe

The exhibitions at EKA Gallery are supported by Tallinn City and Sadolin Estonia.
Opening drinks from mirai™ and Põhjala Brewery.

DANCING WITH THE STARS!
EKA Billboard Gallery 16.02.–17.05.2026
Open 24/7, free admission

The exhibition “Dancing with the Stars!” by the 1st year students of graphic design showcases the designed letters and the process of the class Typography I. During 14 weeks, several exercises and experimentations were carried out, drawing was done both by hand and on the computer, using things like stencils, feathers, rocks, nail polish or even keys.

While the first seven weeks were dedicated to experimentation and playing, the last seven focused on creating an entire alphabet and going through the whole letter design process. Vectorised letters were created which in turn were made into working font files during a week-long workshop.

Students: Johannes Adrik, Art Allik, Helen Forsel, Mia Klooren, Art Kruus, Adele Markova, Ischa Mestdagh, Jaako Lauri Puudist, Ann Aotäht Sarv, Mia Greta Sepp,Ariana Sigin, Linnea Süvari, Jakob Tüür, Karol Henrik Vana, Rei Helin Varres
Supervisor: Agnes Isabelle Veevo
Supervisor of the workshop: Patrick Zavadskis

The fonts can be downloaded for free from the SUVA Type Foundry website: suvatypefoundry.ee

SUVA Type Foundry makes the typefaces designed by EKA GD students public.

Liisa Nurklik
WANDERING
Second floor of EKA Gallery 9.01.–15.02.2026
Open Tue–Sat 12–6 pm Sun 12–4 pm, free entry
Opening: Thursday, January 8 at 6 pm

Liisa Nurklik’s solo exhibition “Wandering” reflects on abstract painting and the accompanying desire to wander over a prolonged period of time. Explorations of color and surface allow one tone to smoothly shift into another; directions moving one way meet those moving oppositely. Playing with the boring of simplicity evokes a possibility for the painting to be longer looked at, lost and gradually rediscovered.

Liisa Nurklik is currently a third-year student of painting at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Her first solo exhibition “If I Were-a-Person” took place in the Showcase Gallery of the EKA library in the fall of 2025 and presented the viewer with a series of drawings made with charcoal, pastel and pencil, depicting various creatures and objects, skin and hair, and focused primarily on evoking a sense of the uncanny.

Exhibition texts by: Kirke Kits
Graphic design by: Sunny Lei
Technical support by: Ats Kruusing
The exhibitions at EKA Gallery are supported by the Sadolin Estonia.
Opening drinks from mirai™ and Põhjala Brewery.

WE NEED MORE INDOOR SPACES
Ground floor of EKA Gallery 9.01.–15.02.2026
Open Tue–Sat 12–6 pm Sun 12–4 pm, free entry
Opening: Thursday, January 8 at 6 pm

The group exhibition “We Need More Indoor Spaces” is catalysed by the moving process of Krulli Skate Hall, bringing together local and international artists from Tallinn’s skateboard scene, framing skateboarding as an art form. The makers of the exhibition want to draw attention to the availability of indoor skate parks in the inner city, in the hopes of opening more spaces for skaters.

Jaagup Mägi and Éric-Olivier Thériault, two artists studying installation and sculpture at the Estonian Academy of Arts, came together with the idea of temporarily transforming the gallery space into a gathering hub in honour of the perseverant local skateboarding culture. Working within the constraints of the gallery, their aim is to demonstrate how skateboarding, as an artistic practice, parallels contemporary art in many ways: through experimentation, resilience, and a strong DIY ethos. The exhibition seeks to channel that energy into a broader conversation: What could happen if greater awareness of indoor skateparks was fostered? If these creative environments built by skateboarders for skateboarders were more actively supported?

As part of the exhibition, in collaboration with the interactive video game museum LVLup! and Camille Laurelli, there will be an opportunity to play skateboarding-themed video games in the video box area of ​​the EKA Gallery during the opening times of the gallery.

You are welcome to ride the course with your personal skateboard at your own risk until February 11 on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 pm and Sundays from 4 to 8 pm.

Artists: Frank Abner, Nicolas Bouvy, Maik Grüner, Daniil Južaninov, Andrew Kuus-Hill, Kaisa Maasik, Jaagup Mägi, Reigo Nahksepp, Éric-Olivier Thériault, Raul Ulberg
Curators: Jaagup Mägi & Éric-Olivier Thériault
Graphic design: Sunny Lei
Technical support: Ats Kruusing
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia and Sadolin Estonia.
Opening drinks from mirai™ and Põhjala Brewery.

HOW TO REFRAME MONUMENTS
EKA Billboard Gallery 1.12.2025–15.02.2026
Open 24/7, free admission

The Past as Artistic Material
We live in a time when monuments cannot be ignored. Around the world, debates rage over their meaning and over whether – and how – contested monuments should be displayed in public space. Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine has brought one of the epicentres of monumental conflict to Eastern Europe. To date, a large number of Soviet-era monuments in Estonia, particularly World War II memorials, have been removed. 

The project “How to Reframe Monuments” is based on the premise that removing a monument does not resolve the problem – complex heritage cannot simply be bypassed, but must be worked through. By bringing together knowledge and expertise from multiple fields, we have developed solutions that, through academic research, heritage conservation and digitisation practices, as well as artistic interventions, enable dissonant heritage not to be demolished but to be reframed within a new critical context. 

At the heart of the outdoor exhibition is the potential of art in addressing memory conflicts in public space – and, through this, the social role of contemporary art. Three design competitions carried out in the frame- work of this project illustrate ways of reframing different types of dissonant heritage – memori- als, paintings and sculptures. To date, already one of the artistic interventions has been realised: the reframing of the Tehumardi memorial by Neeme Külm. 

Between 2024 and 2025, a total of 17 artists took part in the art competitions. The conceptualisation of the Tehumardi memorial complex on Saaremaa—now partially dismantled—involved Kirke Kangro, Neeme Külm, Anna Mari Liivrand, Johannes Säre, Kristina Norman, and Taavi Piibemann.

Anna Škodenko, Hanna Piksarv, Jevgeni Zolotko, Kati Saarits, and Sigrid Viir proposed their own solutions for redesigning the monumental paintings, completed in 1955, in the old passenger terminal of Tallinn Airport.

Trevor Kinna, Bob Bicknell-Knight, Hasso Krull, Camille Laurelli, Samuel Lehikoinen, Ülo Pikkov, and Yiyang Sun created digital artworks based on the monument “Vyatchko and Meelis Defending Tartu” (1950/1956) located in Tartu. These works are shown as part of the exhibition “The Monument and the Fairy Tale” in the EKA foyer during 1.–12.12.2025.

Exhibition team: Linda Kaljundi, Kirke Kangro, Annika Tiko, Maris Veeremäe
Design: Kristjan Mändmaa
Language editing: Hille Saluäär, Jason Finch
“How to reframe monuments” is a collaborative project between the Estonian Academy of Arts and Tallinn University, funded by the Estonian Ministry of Culture. 

The project’s follow-up exhibition will open in February 2026 at EKA Gallery.

The winter assessment marathon is here! For three weeks, you can once again experience works produced by students in the Faculty of Fine Arts as their term projects are presented: every day there will be a fresh showcase of university students’ works on display.

Works in animation, contemporary art, installation and sculpture, painting, photography, graphic art and scenography curricula will be on display. On almost each evening of the marathon, a new exhibition will be installed and in the following evening the exhibit will give way to the next one. Hopefully, viewers will be able to keep up with the pace of the young artists.

The assessments will take place in the main building of EKA Gallery (Kotzebue 1, Tallinn) and the new EKA monumental studio (1st floor of Kotzebue 1, Tallinn).

On the assessment day(s), the exhibitions are open from 2 pm to 6 pm, on Sundays the exhibitions are open from 12 pm to 4 pm.

SCHEDULE

Mon 1.12. Drawing, Fine Arts BA I, supervisor Matti Pärk (EKA Gallery)
Tue 2.12. Drawing, Fine Arts BA II, supervisor Eero Alev (EKA Gallery)
Wed 3.12. Drawing, Fine Arts BA III, supervisor Tea Lemberpuu (EKA Gallery)
Thu 4.12. Sculpture, Fine Arts BA I, supervisors Laura Põld, Taavi Talve (EKA Gallery)
Thu 4.12. – Fri 5.12. Scenography BA III, supervisor  Mark Raidpere (Kotzebue 10)
Fri 5.12. – Sat 6.12. Contemporary Art MA I & II, supervisors Sirja-Liisa Eelma, Merike Estna, Viktor Gurov, Tuukka Kaila, Eve Kask, Kristi Kongi, Karel Koplimets, Paul Kuimet, Camille Laurelli, Holger Loodus, Laura Põld, Sten Saarits, Liina Siib, Taavi Talve, Jaan Toomik, Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo (EKA Gallery)
Sun 7.12. – Mon 8.12. Contemporary Art MA I & II, supervisors Sirja-Liisa Eelma, Merike Estna, Viktor Gurov, Tuukka Kaila, Eve Kask, Kristi Kongi, Karel Koplimets, Paul Kuimet, Camille Laurelli, Holger Loodus, Laura Põld, Sten Saarits, Liina Siib, Taavi Talve, Jaan Toomik, Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo (EKA Gallery & Kotzebue 10)
Tue 9.12. Contemporary Art MA I & II, supervisors Sirja-Liisa Eelma, Merike Estna, Viktor Gurov, Tuukka Kaila, Eve Kask, Kristi Kongi, Karel Koplimets, Paul Kuimet, Camille Laurelli, Holger Loodus, Laura Põld, Sten Saarits, Liina Siib, Taavi Talve, Jaan Toomik, Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo (EKA Gallery & Kotzebue 10)
Wed 10.12. Painting, Fine Arts BA I, supervisors Karl-Kristjan Nagel, Tõnis Saadoja (EKA Gallery)
Thu 11.12. Graphic Art, Fine Arts BA II & III, supervisors Britta Benno, Charlotte Biszewski, Liisi Grünberg, Viktor Gurov, Eve Kask, Liina Siib (EKA Gallery)
Thu 11.12. Graphic Art, Fine Arts BA II & III, supervisors Charlotte Biszewski, Viktor Gurov,Eve Kaaret, Madis Kaasik, Eve Kask, Pawel Schulz (Kotzebue 10)
Fri 12.12. Graphic Art, Fine Arts BA II & III, supervisors Kadi Kurema, Marten Prei, Paul Rannik (EKA Gallery)
Sat 13.12. Drawing, animation BA I & photography BA II, supervisor Lilli-Krõõt Repnau (EKA Gallery)
Sun 14.12. – Mon 15.12. Photography BA I, supervisor Annika Haas (EKA Gallery)
Tue 16.12. Painting, Fine Arts BA III, supervisors Angela Maasalu, Jaan Toomik, Mart Vainre (EKA Gallery)
Tue 16.12. Photography, BA II, supervisor Kalle Veesaar (Kotzebue 10)
Wed 17.12. Painting, Fine Arts BA II, supervisors Sirja-Liisa Eelma, Holger Loodus, Tõnis Saadoja (EKA Gallery)
Thu 18.12. Animation BA I, supervisor Lilli-Krõõt Repnau (EKA Gallery)

COMPOSE◠DECOMPOSE
EKA Gallery 31.10.–30.11.2025
Open Tue–Sat 12–6 pm Sun 12–4 pm
Opening: Thursday, October 30 at 6 pm
Performance by Albertina Tevajärvi: Thursday, October 30 at 6.30 pm
Tour guided by the curators and artists: Friday, October 31 at 5 pm

The exhibition “compose◠decompose” submerges deep into a cyclical narrative of growth, decay, and renewal. Through the works of thirteen artists, the exhibition traces along the fragile balance of care and control.

The exhibition brings to light the hidden and often overlooked elements of our ecosystem— microscopic creatures, plant matter and organic systems that thrive beneath the surface of our mundane. Here Composition and decomposition do not appear as opposites, but rather as entangled acts of shaping and unshaping, of tending and of letting go.

The participating artists work with various ways to either mimic- or closely collaborate with the processes of the natural world. In this exhibition the artists dream about composing and decomposing. They dream about listening to, remembering and reimagining narratives that collaborate with insects, animals, plants, and microorganisms.

Participating artists: Alexis Brancaz, Albertina Tevajärvi, Alma Bektas, Augustas Lapinskas & Ditiya Ferdous, Freyja Tralla & Kassandra Laur, Janne Schipper & Andreas Andersen, Johanna Rotko, Julie Sjöfn Gasiglia, Kamilė Pikelytė, Paula Zvane
Curated by artists Inessa Saarits and Victoria Björk
Graphic design: Daria Titova
Technical support: Karel Koplimets and Karmo Migur
Supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Icelandic Visual Arts Fund, Sadolin Estonia and Tallinn City.
Opening drinks from mirai™ and Põhjala Brewery.

Download the leaflet here.

“Carmen Electra” – like a bolt from the blue!

On October 24 at 7 pm, the band ants1 will premiere their musical “Carmen Electra” at EKA Gallery. The act combines contemporary dance, colorful costumes, disturbing music, and scandalous statements into its magical world. The libretto was collaboratively written by members of ants1, with the lead role performed by the eternally young and immortal Anumai Raska.

“Carmen Electra explores themes that feel both familiar and melancholic to a generation coming of age in a time when Europe is once again at war. It is a time when leaders of great nations won’t acknowledge climate change, when carrots cost more in Estonian grocery stores than in Belgium – even though the average income here is three times lower,” says a rabbit who wished to remain anonymous, commenting on the background of the production. “What will become of us like this?”

The band ants1 is a collective that emerged from the Estonian Academy of Arts, whose members work in various fields of contemporary art. When they come together, the collective is called ants1, whose music connects contemporary social problems with the painful yet fun language of punk music.

The musical “Carmen Electra” is not recommended for children under 12.

Performers: Ekke Janisk, Ats Kruusing, Andreas Kübar, Eke Ao Nettan, Anumai Raska, Henri Särekanno, Mattias Veller
Costumes by: Lisette Sivard
Light design by: Leon Allik
Sound design by: Roman Belov
Co-producer: elektron.art
Graphic design: Jaan Evart
Supported by: Estonian Cultural Endowment, City of Tallinn

Performances will take place on October 24, 25 and 26 at the EKA Gallery (Põhja pst 7, Tallinn). The performance is in Estonian with English subtitles. Entrance through the EKA lobby (from Põhja puiestee).

Tickets are available at Fienta:
https://fienta.com/s/ants1-muusikal-carmen-electra-esietendus 

More info: https://elektron.art/projects/carmen