PhD Thesis Defence of Eik Hermann

On 1 October, 2025 Eik Hermann, external doctoral student of architecture and urban planning will defend his doctoral thesis „Toward Matter-Environmental Pragmapoetics: Studies of Theory-Practice Separation“.
The public defense will take place at 13.00 at EKA (Põhja pst 7), room A101.

Thesis is available in EKA digital repository.

Supervisor: Margus Ott, PhD (Estonian University of Life Sciences)
External reviewers: Prof. Rein Raud (Tallinn University), Prof. Randall Teal (University of Idaho)
Opponents: Prof. Rein Raud and Jacob C.T. Voorthuis, PhD (Eindhoven University of Technology)

Summary:
A key distinction in Western culture is between theory and practice. Ideally, these two domains support and nourish each other. Practice benefits from reflection and a broader perspective, while theory gains from experiences and skillsets stemming from engagements with the world. Still, while humanity is facing major, almost insurmountable challenges (such as climate warming, loss of biodiversity, and rising social inequality), which call for tight cooperation between theorists and practitioners, these domains have grown increasingly apart. Moreover, there are deep divisions within both theory and practice themselves. The current thesis examines how the conceptual schemes and broader conceptware in the West have contributed to this situation, and how alternative conceptual schemes and conceptwares might help to mitigate it.

The thesis begins with a conceptual-historical study, with particular attention to the social aspects of this history. The separation of theory and practice began already in Ancient Greece, where, under the influence of aristocratic values, the highest regard was given to knowledge that was not directly useful and could be pursued primarily by those who could afford leisure time. In addition to its detachment from practical usefulness, such knowledge was characterized by independence from spatio-temporal surroundings: ideal knowledge was supposed to hold true in every context. As revealed by a comparison with the conceptware of premodern China, this choice was by no means the only possible one. The early foundational choices in the West subsequently shaped the development of its later conceptual frameworks, resulting in a dominant scheme that views practice as the application (and so-called re-environmentalization) of theory. Among its other effects, this scheme has also influenced the formation of divisions and hierarchies between different domains of practice.

After conducting the initial conceptual-historical analysis, the thesis takes a more experimental turn. The aim is to explore and experiment with new concepts and conceptual schemes in the hope of untangling the web of current conceptual knots and behavioral patterns, and fruitfully reconfiguring the relationship between theory and practice. One important strategy guiding these experiments is a rethinking of the relationship between knowledge and surroundings. Another key strategy is to focus on the initial phases of both knowledge making and action – the underlying assumption is that different domains share more commonalities at the beginning of a work process than at its end. I outline a vision of human practice that is based on the “practice” of the world itself, sometimes engaging with it by riding its tendencies like a wave, and sometimes offering them resistance and shifting them. At the end of the thesis, I also propose the seeds or an outline for beginning-heavy research.

Loneliness is a significant challenge across all modern societies. Consequently, the way individuals and families establish and maintain relationships has become a considerable concern in design. In this open seminar, Japanese and Estonian design researchers will explore how design can help tackle this growing problem on both personal and societal levels.

Estonia × Japan: exploring design’s role in combating loneliness.

Keynote by Yasuyuki Hirai

“Inclusive Design for Loneliness”

Inclusive design is an individual-driven approach, while societal design is a society-driven approach. There is a relationship between individual loneliness and social exclusion, and the two can combine to form a vicious cycle.

This international collaborative project between EKA and Kyushu University offers an innovative approach to addressing loneliness and societal design. As an inclusive designer, Yasuyuki Hirai presents examples of how I have addressed this issue to date, drawing on principles of inclusive design.

Keynote by Ruth-Helene Melioranski

“Embracing Loneliness through Relational Design”

Ruth-Helene Melioranski explores how relational design shifts emphasis from isolated individuals to networks of care and connection. She illustrates this approach through a patient journey designed for the Estonian Health Insurance Fund’s endoprosthesis care pathway.

Case study by Janeli Peska

“Behaviourally Guided Intervention to Reduce Loneliness”

Janeli Pelska discusses how behavioural design can provide new tools to tackle the increasing problem of loneliness. Based on her master’s thesis, she introduces an intervention designed to promote social connections through behaviourally guided strategies.

Panel discussion

The seminar concludes with an open panel discussion to reflect on the role of design in combating loneliness. The conversation centres on how design can inspire new ways of fostering connection and belonging in our societies.

Moderated by Tanel Kärp.

Panelists:

Yasuyuki Hirai

Tokushu Inamura

Yanfang Zhang

Ruth-Helene Melioranski

This Friday, August 29th from 4 pm to 6 pm, the Erasmus+ BIP “Navigating Through the Complexities of the Digital Jungle” pop-up exhibition will be open in the monumental gallery of the EKA White House.

The Erasmus BIP workshop “Navigating Through the Complexities of the Digital Jungle” was held on 25–29 August 2025, organized by the Department of Ceramics of the Estonian Academy of Arts.

18 students from five partner universities are participating: Aalto University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, Latvian Academy of Arts, Saarland University of the Arts and Estonian Academy of Arts.

The students’ primary task was to recognize a specific spatial condition in the human environment where biodiversity and coexistence are limited. Based on this, they had to consider how the 3D design solution could connect and interact with the architecture or other specificities of the chosen location to increase species diversity and/or energy and matter circulation.

This project included lectures, presentations, discussions and practical sessions where they 3D modeled and adapted their files to be suitable for 3D clay printers. The workshop also covered different slicing software and other parametric path creation techniques. Our lecturers and invited expert from Belgium guided both the practical work and discussions and contextualized 3D clay printing in a broader theoretical framework.

Participants: Marcelo Guajardo, Mattia Anderle, Florêncio Justino João, Julie Ternus, Christian Schmidt, Stephan Andreas Petry, Ādams Sūna, Lauris Krauze, Laima Madara Lauriņa, Beatrise Kaktina, Beatrise Grudule, Jeva Šiaudvytytė, Rugilė Kriaučiūnaitė, Tauras Stuogis, Ruta Gedeikaite, Jonas Rakutis, Karl Otti, Olivia Jegorov.

Supervisors: Dries Verbruggen, Lauri Kilusk, Kaiko Kivi

Coordinator: Kersti Laanmaa

The opening of the joint work “Weather As a Conversation Topic” by Liisa Kruusmägi and Lukas Weidinger will take place on Thursday, September 11 at 6 pm in front of the EKA Billboard Gallery. During the event an artist talk will also take place. The event will be held in English and will be moderated by David Schilter. In case of bad weather, the conversation will take place indoors. The artwork is visible round the clock until October 26.

Read more about the exhibition here.

Liisa Kruusmägi & Lukas Weidinger
“Weather As a Conversation Topic”
EKA Billboard Gallery 27.08.–30.11.2025
Open 24/7, free
Opening & artist talk: Thu 11.09. at 6pm

The opening of the work and a talk with the artists will take place on Thursday, September 11 at 6 pm in front of the EKA Billboard Gallery. The event will be held in English and will be moderated by David Schilter. In case of bad weather, the conversation will take place indoors. The artwork is visible round the clock until October 26.

Invisible, all-encompassing phenomena such as heat, cold, wind, (un)happiness, desire, love, poverty, wealth play the leading roles in a fragmented narrative about the weather and its irritating omnipresence in the everyday life of the society that lives in it. The work contains many personal reflections and references to people and situations. Lukas Weidinger and Liisa Kruusmägi have created a joint work where one story is told within another. Some look at the outside – the weather in the cityscape, others colorfully depict life indoors.

Liisa Kruusmägi is a freelance artist working primarily with painting, drawing, and ceramics. Liisa Kruusmägi has been painting her thoughts and feelings, featuring people, animals, and the things around her in various environments often using bright colours in her practice . In addition to having held numerous exhibitions, she has also focused on creating public artworks, for example her large murals are on the north side of Paide Pritsumaja and above the entrance of Tops Bar in Tallinn.

Lukas Weidinger is a freelance graphic artist and comic author from Austria. Weidinger has studied in Vienna, Leipzig, and Strasbourg. Since then creating, editing and publishing a range of solo and collaborative comic books, anthologies, print series, besides working on commissioned illustration, screenwriting, tattoos and more. Weidinger takes us on a journey through landscapes bursting with life – from lively streets in modest, workingclass neighborhoods to front-row seats in a theatre where an orchestra plays joyfully out-of-tune.

David Schilter is the founder, director, and curator of Kuš!, the only comics publisher in Latvia. Since 2007, Kuš! has been regularly releasing comic books and anthologies, organising competitions, residencies, masterclasses, and other events, promoting alternative comic art in Latvia, and popularising local talent around the world.

Graphic design by Daria Titova
The exhibition is supported by Tallinn City.

EKA Back-to-School Sale will take place on 1–2 September in the EKA lobby. You can find EKA merch, including sustainably produced sweatshirts, T-shirts, socks, erasers, pens and pencils, but also professional art supplies, such as paints, pens, sketching paper etc. from Gallery-G and Skizze Vunder shops.

The EKA Back-to-School Sale is open on Monday and Tuesday from 12pm to 4pm.

Opening hours:
Thu, Fri, Sat 13:00 – 18:00
Sun 13:00 – 17:00

EKA invites you from September 29 to October 5 on a journey through different layers of young design.

The exhibition and event program bring together the heritage of EKA’s design past, the diversity of the present, and future directions, opening doors to fresh ideas and creative courage.

During EKA Design Week, a variety of events will take place:

Public lectures and discussion evenings – inspiring meetings where designers, faculty, and students discuss the role and meaning of design in today’s world.

Design workshops – our students and faculty offer the opportunity to experience the design creation process firsthand and explore new knowledge and skills in various fields. Workshops are open to all interested in contemporary design thinking and practical experimentation.

Pop-up shop – The pop-up shop offers visitors a rare chance to purchase unique products, support the journey of young designers, and take home a piece of EKA’s creative energy. Get young and fresh design directly from the creators.

Come and experience the vibrant and ever-changing landscape of young design – look back, be present, and peek into the future.

The EKA Design Week schedule:

September 29 – October 5 – Exhibition “Lines of the Past, Directions for the Future”
Open Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–15:00 at EKA White House, Kotzebue 10.
Exhibition opening: September 29 at 16:00.

September 29 – October 5 – Design & Innovation Program 10th Anniversary Exhibition
Open Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–15:00 at EKA White House, Kotzebue 10.

September 30 – October 1 – Two-day social design workshop “Designing Our Future for All”
Day 1: 09:45–13:00, Day 2: 14:00–17:15 + independent work between the two days.
Location: EKA White House, Kotzebue 10.

Workshop will be held in English.
Detailed description and schedule of the workshop.
REGISTER HERE.

September 30 at 17:30 – ERKI Fashion Show Discussion Evening
The discussion evening brings together the organizers, designers, and alumni of the ERKI Fashion Show to discuss the significance of the runway, behind-the-scenes stories of the creative process, and ERKI’s role in the Estonian design landscape. This is an opportunity to hear inspiring experiences, ask questions, and see how young fashion designers bring their ideas to life.
Location: EKA Main Building Foyer, Põhja pst 10.

The event will be in Estonian.

September 30, 14:00–16:00 – Open Workshop “Gardenly Slowness”
Instructors: Marta Põldma and Jane Remm (places are full).
Location: EKA White House Monumental Studio, Kotzebue 10.
(Join the waiting list, the event will be in Estonian.)

October 1 at 17:30 – Open Lecture “Creative Design Research: Body-Inclusive Play for Children and Their Grandparents Living Far Away”
Lecturer: Kristi Kuusk.
Location: EKA Foyer, Põhja pst 7
The lecture will be held in English.

October 2 at 18:00 – LEIDA Article Collection Presentation
Introduction of a new edition gathering reflections and analyses in the field of design.
Location: EKA Foyer, Põhja pst 7
(Please RSVP)

October 7 at 19:00 – Design and Innovation Program 10th Anniversary Celebration
Location: EKA White House Monumental Studio (invitation only)

EKA Design Week Facebook event here.

The Erasmus BIP workshop “Navigating Through the Complexities of the Digital Jungle” will be held on 25–29 August 2025, organized by the Department of Ceramics of the Estonian Academy of Arts.

19 students from five partner schools will participate: Aalto University, Vilnius Academy of Arts, Latvian Academy of Arts, Saarland University of the Arts and Estonian Academy of Arts.

The course will be supervised by Dries Verbruggen (Belgium), Lauri Kilusk, Kaiko Kivi and Martin Melioranski.

The workshop will focus on the application of 3D design and printing in design. Students will be tasked with identifying spatial conditions in the human living environment where biological diversity and coexistence are limited. They will then use 3D design to create site-specific interventions aimed at increasing species diversity and/or the circulation of energy and matter, while trying to respect the architecture and other specificities of the place.

The workshop will include lectures, presentations, discussions and practical activities. Technical sessions will cover various slicing software and parametric modeling techniques, placing the practice of 3D printing within a broader theoretical framework.

The project will end with a pop-up exhibition on August 29th and a roundtable discussion with participants and teachers.

Coordinator: Kersti Laanmaa