Exhibitions

You are cordially invited to a series of Urban Studies final semester presentations and events.

THE LAST CRASH
Urban Studies, 1st year studio final presentation (outdoors)
Tutors: Andra Aaloe, Keiti Kljavin
In-front of barbie-pink garage at Maakri 30a
7 December 2016, 10:00-17:30

More info and programme: www.facebook.com/events/592232500984744

Dear Tallinn. After this crash course, this intensive ABC of one strange little-big town in the edge of nowhere but in the centre of everything, something has changed in us. We have learned to admire every wrinkle and fold, every crook and cranny your in times turbulent past has drawn on you, the vacancies left behind by the changes of systems, and also these somewhat violent fillings of your urban fabric. We think… we may have a crush on you.
And thus we made this festival. We took one holey and haunted slice of you – Maakri and Keldrimäe subdistricts – and worked with it, dug deeper in, just to learn to read the fractures in you, learn to accept them, and… love. We hope everyone will come to see our display of affection, the festival called Last crash, where we’ll perform, install, present, exhibit, lecture and walk through physical and idea spaces of Maakri and Keldrimäe.
Because it is you, Tallinn, dark and bleak Northern capital we’ve lost our hearts to.

THE AWKWARD AGENCY
Art & City, final exhibition
Tutor: Mattias Malk
Rävala puiestee 8, follow the signs
7 December 2016, 19:00 (doors open at 18:30)

More info: www.facebook.com/events/747270955425827

The birth of intimacy is often awkward. In search for a more intimate awareness of and a better sensibility to what Tallinn has to offer as a city, urbanists and creatives of all walks of life embarked on a two-day journey. It led them out of the city, out of the county and for brief glimpses out of the respective comfort zones of the participants. In the search to act on their right to the city they now seek your attention. The exhibition will showcase the results of the walk as well as expand on the idea of awkwardness and sociability in and around urban environments.

THE NEW POWER GRID
Urban Studies, 2nd year studio final presentation (indoors)
Tutor: Kaie Kuldkepp / Co-tutor: Han Dijk
Estonian Academy of Arts, Department of Architecture, Pikk tn 20, 3rd floor
8 December 2016, 10:00-14:00

An electric grid network occupies a linear strip of land, cross-secting a city. What will happen to this strip once the grid is put underground? This is a future challenge in Tallinn. What are the opportunities for developing public spaces and enhancing urban fringes?

STRATEGIES FOR A HEALTHY CITY
Lecture by Han Dijk (Posad, NL)
Estonian Academy of Arts, Department of Architecture, Pikk tn 20, 3rd floor, main lecture hall
8 December 2016, 18:00

More info: www.facebook.com/events/582952211900027

Han Dijk is a teacher in urban design at the Academie of Bouwkunst in Rotterdam and is guest lecturer in different universities in the Netherlands and abroad. Han worked as spatial designer on large city planning assignments with an international context in Antwerp (Belgium) Sao Paulo (Brasil), Warsaw (Poland) and for UN Habitat in Yangon (Myanmar)

The EAA Department of Animation is celebrating its 10th anniversary and we are happy to invite you to join our birthday party on November 18th at 6 pm at the BFM Nova building, Narva mnt 27, 4th floor at the animation department.
6 pm
– Croquis by Kristjan Holm, the legendary animation student and current lecturer at the Department of Interior Architecture
– GIF workshop by Sander Joon, a recent graduate and awarded animation director.
6 pm
– Presentation of the new DVD and screening of the best student films from the 10 legendary years of the animation department. Free entry.
7 pm
– Cake and Turkish coffee, brewed by the animation fan and Artistic Director of ЭТО experimental lab, Aleksey Savinsky aka Mr Vuu from St. Petersburg.
Magusaid unenägusid ja tere tulemast animatsiooni osakonda!!!
PS. There will be several open lectures and presentations in celebration of the same event at BFM, check out at www.anima.ee

Exhibition “Encounter Estonian Design. An Introduction”

Exhibited designs:
Anna von Maydell / Atelier für Kunstgewerbe, A.M. Luther furniture factory, J. Lorup glass factory, E. Taska workshop, Tarbeklaas, Standard, Estoplast, Kunst ja Kodu, Tallinna Ehituskeraamikatehas, Kunstitoodete Kombinaat, Punane Ret, Salvo, Ruum ja Vorm, Martin Pärn, Tarmo Luisk, Veiko Liis, Jaanus Orgusaar, Kärt Ojavee, Raili Keiv, Keha3, HUUM, Iseasi, Scheckmann, Kärt Põldmann, Marit Ilison, Warm North, Johanna Tammsalu, Monika Järg, Anton Koovit, Kelpman Textile, etc.

Curator: Kai Lobjakas, Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design

On 29 September, an overview of the history of Estonian design curated by the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design will be opened in Tartmus. It concentrates on the most important aspects and trends in Estonian design. For Tartmus, this is the first overview of Estonian design. “Encounter Estonian Design. An Introduction” will remain open until 1 January 2017.

Over the last decades the various aspects and layers of Estonian design have been thoroughly researched. Design, like most other labels and ideas with a prolonged history, has been redefined to reflect the needs of any era. The rise of new meanings, however, has meant that understanding design has become harder and some of the newer definitions might not be compatible with the older ones. To some, “design” might mean a specific technical detail or an especially valuable chair, but others might define it as life altering innovation. This raises the questions: is design an object or a service, visible or invisible, a product, a unique item or an idea?

The spatial and temporal borders have also been changing. The history of design either begins with human civilization, with the industrialization period of the end of the 18th century, or with the years following the Second World War. All of these definitions, however, see design as a means of change – either for a group or an individual. It makes life easier, safer and happier.

Although Estonians have participated in the creation of many important design solutions – like the spy camera Minox or the communication platform Skype – our design has been historically associated with light industry and everyday life.

The Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design has used the last 15 years to map the local design landscape and to place its history into context. With new information, the idea of Estonian cultural heritage has grown. The present exhibition is based on this research and connects the history of design with contemporary ideas. Using a selection of examples that have been considered the most prominent of their time, it contextualizes the Estonian design landscape and reveals the various aspects that are its most distinguishing characteristics.

An educational programme for various age groups will accompany the exhibition. More information at www.tartmus.ee

Pseudo
22 September – 30 October at the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM)
Vernissage on Wednesday 21 September at 6pm
Artists: Dénes Farkas & Taavi Talve, Dora García, Flo Kasearu, Jevgeni Zolotko, Kristiina Hansen & Sigrid Viir, Neeme Külm
There is no beginning. I was begotten – just like you – and since then I’ve been lumbered.
Émile Ajar > Paul Pavlovich > Romain Gary, Pseudo
These are the first lines from a novel titled Pseudo (translated: Hocus Bogus), written in 1976 by French author Émile Ajar, drawing only modest attention during the time. This novel could be taken as pseudo-autobiographical writing by Émile Ajar. Pseudo was his third work, which was published a year after prix Goncourt winning The Life Before Us. Émile Ajar was Romain Gary’s pseudonym. For Gary, this was the second time to win a prize that could not be won twice. With increased media attention Gary asked his cousin Paul Pavlowitch to impersonate Émile Ajar. Pseudo is a novel written by Romain Gary, impersonating Paul Pavlowitch, in order to prove that Paul Pavlowitch was Émile Ajar, and it worked, but the exhibition does not speak of that.
This exhibition does not speak the language we understand, similarly to the protagonist of the novel Pseudo, who tries to avoid any connection to the context. The exhibition does not speak English, “but not well enough”. We still comprehend something, or at least apprehend, even if there is no speaking taking place.
Of course straightforwardness does not exist here. There is nothing given, nothing stated, except for this very thing here. But here one can sense universality, topicality as well as obscurity; the construction of parallel realities, which might seem more real than everyday or identically lukewarm; stagings, portraits and renditions caught in between graveness and absurdity, that are playful and rigorously composed at the same time; things that do not accommodate, that are searching for an exit, that wish to detach themselves, that would fit elsewhere; an exhibition that is pseudo, and tries to be a whole, while at least consisting of wholes.
Curator: Marten Esko
Graphic design: Allan Appelberg
Supporters: Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Ministry of Culture, Draka Keila Cables AS
More info:
www.ekkm.ee
info@ekkm.ee
www.facebook.com/ekkmtallinn/

On 29 September, the exhibition “Who Creates the City?” asks who has shaped the urban environment of Tartu, for what reasons and with what resources and results. Three galleries introduce the activities and spatial outcomes of the city government, the developers and the citizen activists. The fourth contains contemporary visual and textual works representing the notable locations of Tartu and shaping the face of the town. The exhibition is curated by the architectural historian Pille Epner and co-curated by architect Kaja Pae. “Who Creates the City?” will remain open until 4 December.

The aim of the exhibition is to look at the town from the viewpoint of different participating groups. The intelligent development of urban environment is determined by the visions of various participants, their ability to carry out dialogues and to achieve co-operation. We can create a better city together by understanding what possibilities and means for developing the urban space are held by the city government, the real estate developers and the citizens themselves.

The exhibition offers a map for an active citizen, an overview of designs for public spaces and shows architectural objects that understand their context. Glimpses of the mysterious edges of Tartu that shape the atmosphere in the town in their own hidden ways can also be found. In addition, 15 interviews representing various relevant groups are displayed, including architects and officials who plan the town, real estate developers and citizen activists.

According to the curators, the exhibition concentrates on the most important processes and initiatives that shape the urban environment of Tartu. “Over the last years, a heated discussion has been carried out asking critical questions about a high-quality urban environment that would follow the historic traditions of Tartu. On the one hand, it is a sign that a more thorough approach to urban planning is needed, on the other it also suggests that the different parties are prepared to hold dialogues.”

The exhibition is accompanied by a map for an urban connoisseur that introduces the contemporary architecture of Tartu and shows the ways off the beaten path.

Between June 10 to 20, 2016 in Nida Art Colony stdents of glass and ceramics specialties from Estonian, Latvian and Vilnius (Lithuanian) Academies of Art are working with several media to research, visualize and find solutions to problems connected with WATER. In most approaches the issue of clean water, its endangered situation and several ecological and social problems have come up. The event will be concluded with an exhibition starting on June 17 in the Nida Art Colony.

NITHIKUL NIMKULRAT The White Forest
20. – 30.05. 2016
Hop Gallery
Tallinn
Hobusepea 2
On Thursday 19th May at 17.00, the opening of Nithikul Nimkulrat’s exhibition “White Forest” will be held.
The growing of “The White Forest” began in July 2008 in in Reykjavik, Iceland when Nithikul was an artist-in-residence at the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists (SÍM). Travelling around the country and experiencing Iceland’s wonderful landscape to seek inspiration, a question occurred to her mind: Why is Iceland treeless? Unlike Iceland, Finland – a country locating in the same continent as Iceland – has prosperous forests that surround people’s everyday life. As a textile artist and a designer who had lived in Finland for over a decade at that time, Nithikul was fascinated by it. Having researched this topic further, she found that Iceland was trying to revive their forests, but due to strong wind and little sunshine, trees grew extremely slowly (only 5cm a year). To contribute to their mission conceptually, “The Birch Tree” was made using paper string, a product of Finnish forests, to represent the beginning stage of growing trees or the becomingness of Iceland’s forests. After two years spent to complete “The Birch Tree”, Nithikul has continued growing a forest.
Since then, “The White Forest” has kept growing slowly. The slow growing gives an environmental message – although the process of growing “The White Forest” requires tremendous time and patience, to grow an actual forest can take much longer time, greater efforts and collective contribution.
“The White Forest” has been exhibited in Berlin (2012) and London (2013). It is now shown in Tallinn, the city in which it is currently being grown.
Nithikul Nimkulrat is Professor of Textile Design and Head of Department of Textile Design at the Estonian Academy of Art. Nithikul received a Doctor of Arts (2009) and a Master of Arts (2002) from Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture (Finland) and a Bachelor in Industrial Design (1997) from Chulalongkorn University (Thailand). For over a decade, she has exhibited her worked internationally, and has worked as a researcher and an educator in universities in Finland, UK and now Estonia.
Thanks: Piret Valk.
The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.
Hop Gallery exhibitions supported by the Estonian Ministry of Culture and the Cultural Endowment of Estonia.

Raja Spring Show
May 6 – 8, 2016

Opening: May 6th, 6PM

Department of Installation and Sculpture, Estonian Academy of Arts, Raja 11A (bus 23, Trummi stop).

The periphery of EAA, the department of Installation and Sculpture, is opening its doors and studios to show, in addition to everything else that’s exciting, the freshest artworks. To add more to the excitement, another Young Sculptor’s Prize is given out.

Participating artists:

Art Nõukas
Billy Sassi
David Wittinghofer
Harry Maberly
Jakob Tyroller
Jenny Grönholm
Kadi-Maarja Võsu
Karl Johanson
Katrin Enni
Kristin Reiman
Laurien Bachmann
Madlen Hirtentreu
Marti Kikojan
Rosa-Violetta Grötsch
Triinu-Liis Rahe

The opening is followed up by a party at 10PM!
https://www.facebook.com/events/634991099990054/

How to get here on friday!
Take Bus 23: http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/#bus/23/b-a/12402-1/map/en
or Bus 3: http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/#trol/3/b-a/21206-3/map or
or Bus 36: http://soiduplaan.tallinn.ee/#bus/36/b-a/map…
—
RAJA SPRING PARTY
6TH OF MAY 22.00

We would like to invite you all to join us on FRIDAY for the installation- and sculpture department’s SPRING PARTY, wich is a followup to the previously opened Spring Exhibition.
We have a PING-PONG table!! And OPEN GRILL/fireplaces, where you can weather cook your food on or cook yourself beside it (vegetarian, and meat separately). We advise you to load your store-carts full as soon as possible, ’cause the evening promises to be long and fun! All your thirst needs, and dreams will be satisfied by our POP-UP BAR, where you can find everything you need for toasting, comforting, or celebrating!
Music is taken care of by:
Eleonora Šljanda
Mihkel Maripuu
Antti Mäss
Katja Adrikova
Ellen Vene
Nikolajev

The party starts at 10PM, but everyone who will be coming for the Spring Exhibition opening, will be entertained, don’t you worry! No need to run, we won’t bite!

The weather will be nice! We installed the Sun, just come!
Department of Installation and Sculpture, Estonian Academy of Arts, Raja 11A (bus 23, Trummi stop, 24A Raja stop, also trolley nr 3 Keemia stop). We added the map with links to the bus schedules in the discussion of the event. Go check it out if you’re confused!

More information about the Raja Spring Show here:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1809848455903008/

For Art Brussels 2016 the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM), presents a reconstruction and a reinterpretation of Anu Vahtra’s site-specific installation 17,9°. The installation was originally realised for the III Artishok Biennale (curated by Liisa Kaljula, 2012) and rebuilt for the exhibition Feeling Queezy?! (curated by Rebeka Põldsam, 2014) in the EKKM.
It employs the most peculiar space of the museum, which is situated in the former transportation bridge that has a 17,9-degree angle with the ground, therefore holding a strong physical presence by default. However, the work manifests itself when the viewer is confronted with his/her own perception of the space – the significance lies not in learning what’s depicted on the image that hangs in the middle of the room, but in realising that the frame is hanging (seemingly) at an angle. By bringing a section of the above described space as a 1:1 scale model into the art fair context we allow ourselves and the audience to explore the potentialities for further interpretation and to introduce the museum through the representation of its spatial characteristics.
The installation is accompanied by an essay written by the EAA lecturer, architecture historian and critic Ingrid Ruudi in a publication designed by the EAA Graphic Design Associate Professor Indrek Sirkel, published on the occasion of Art Brussels 2016 in collaboration with Lugemik.
A wider event programme coordinated by the Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center (ECADC) will take place in conjunction with Art Brussels and the international audiences have the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of many former Köler Prize nominees and laureates: Flo Kasearu and Visible Solutions LLC (Temnikova & Kasela Gallery at Art Brussels), Marge Monko (Ani Molnár Gallery at Art Brussels and Lugemik at Poppositions alternative art fair), Paul Kuimet (solo exhibition at the center for contemporary photography Contretype).
Anu Vahtra is an emerging young Estonian artist who is renowned for her artistic approach to site-specific space-oriented problematics and for the diligent methods of articulating them. Her installations, which often include the medium of photography, capture the surrounding space into itself, making the site become both the subject and the physical form of the artwork. Furthermore, she is one of the founders of Lugemik Publishing and Bookshop, and is also the winner of Köler Prize 2015 grand prix.
The Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM) is a self-established non-profit initiative, that situates itself somewhere between official state-run institutions and artist-run-do-it-yourself venues. It is an unconventional concept of a contemporary art museum that works towards producing, exhibiting, collecting and popularizing local and international contemporary art while altering the prevailing working methods of established art institutions. It is a tool of self-establishment for younger generation artists, curators and art students. EKKM was founded by Anders Härm, Elin Kard, Neeme Külm, and Marco Laimre in late 2006. Since 2016 it is run by Marten Esko and Johannes Säre who joined the team in 2011.
EKKM’s participation at Art Brussels is supported by: Estonian Ministry of Culture, Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center, European Regional Development Fund, Government Office of Estonia, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Draka Keila Cabels AS, Lugemik
Thank you: Dénes Farkas, Kadri Villand, Mihkel Säre, Raivo Väliste, Raivo Plado
Art Brussels 2016
Tour & Taxis
Avenue du Port 86c, Brussels
www.artbrussels.com
EKKM in booth F5
Preview: 21 April, 11 am – 5 pm
Vernissage: 21 April, 5 pm – 10 pm
Open: 22 April to 24 April, 11 am – 7 pm
info@ekkm.ee
www.ekkm.ee
www.anuvahtra.com

Lugemik Publishing is participating at Poppositions, an alternative art fair taking place for the fifth time in Brussels during 21–24 April. Making its premiere at the fair is the performance “Don’t Wind It Up, Turn It On” by the Estonian artist Marge Monko, as well as the publication of the same name.
Monko’s performance “Don’t Wind It Up, Turn It On” is based on the construction of desire used in advertising photography – a genre in which stylistic means have changed over time, but its semantic meaning has always remained the same. Two actors – female and male – read sentences from different wrist watch advertisements from the 1970s and 1980s, and re-enact the compositions of hands used in these advertisements.
“Don’t Wind It Up, Turn It On” is Monko’s first performance piece which will be performed at Poppositions once a day by choreographers Kathryn Vickers and Sandy Williams, technical assistance is provided by Isjtar. The performance is accompanied by a photographic series and a publication which contains the complete script of the performance as well as the re-staged photographs of the used advertisements. The book is designed by Indrek Sirkel, and it is the third publication by Marge Monko published by Lugemik.
Lugemik’s first time participation at an art fair is curated by Laura Toots, whose project was selected by an international jury. A total of 25 exhibitors of different galleries and project spaces with more than 50 artists from 21 different countries are participating at the fair.
In addition, a selection of Lugemik’s publications will be on display during Poppositions in the Reading Room organized by La Houle project space. Books by the following artists are presented: Tuukka Kaila, Mari Laanemets, Paul Kuimet, Marge Monko, Tõnis Saadoja, Anu Vahtra, Johan Tali, Johanna Jõekalda, Siim Tuksam, Flo Kasearu, kadrinoormets, Anna-Stina Treumund and Merike Estna.
Poppositions is one of the most progressive alternative art fairs in Europe introducing non-profit initiatives next to commercial galleries and providing a platform for new artists’ positions. Poppositions will take place at the same time as Art Brussels, one of the largest art fairs in Europe, where Marge Monko’s work is also exhibited by Ani Molnar Gallery.
Marge Monko (born 1976) is an artist living and working in Tallinn, Estonia. Monko works with photography, video and installation. Most of her works have a link to historical images and are influenced by theories of psychoanalysis, feminism and visual culture. Monko has had solo exhibitions at galleries in Tallinn, Helsinki and Budapest, and in the Museum of Modern Art, Vienna (Mumok). She has participated in a number of group exhibitions in Estonia and abroad. In 2012, she was awarded the Henkel.Art.Award for Eastern and Central European artists. During 2013–2014, she took part in the studio programme at HISK (Higher Institute for Fine Arts), in Ghent, Belgium. In 2015 she was selected for a residency at ISCP (International Studio & Curatorial Program) in New York.
Lugemik is an independent publishing initiative based in Tallinn, Estonia, founded in 2010 by graphic designer Indrek Sirkel and artist Anu Vahtra. Lugemik publishes books and other printed matter, working closely together with artists, writers, designers, printers in every step of the publishing process. In 2013 Lugemik opened a bookshop on the premises of Contemporary Art Museum Estonia (EKKM) and is currently working on opening a new bookshop in collaboration with Tallinn Art Hall. In 2015 Lugemik was joined by the curator and artist Laura Toots for extended activities with artists beyond publishing projects.
Lugemik’s and Marge Monko’s participation at Poppositions is supported by: Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center, Estonian Ministry of Culture, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, European Regional Development Fund, Government Office of Estonia, Outset Estonia.
Lugemik and Marge Monko would like to thank: Oskar Unt, Maria Arusoo, Tom-Olaf Urb, Reimo Võsa-Tangsoo, Liisa Toots, Tiiu Parbus, Tõnis Saadoja, Alissa Nirgi, Fidelia Regina Randmäe, Peeter Kuimet, Paul Kuimet, Ingel Vaikla, A&G Kaubanduse AS, Kraam artist-run space.
Poppositions 2016
LaVallée, Rue Adolphe Lavallée 39, Brussels
Opening: 21 April 12:00–20:00
Opening times: 22–23 April 12:00–22:00; 24 April 12:00–18:00
Marge Monko’s performance: 21–23 April 18:30; 24 April 17:00
www.poppositions.com
www.margemonko.com
Press release by:
Lugemik Publishing
info@lugemik.ee
www.facebook.com/lugemik
www.lugemik.ee