Exhibitions 2007
The Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design's permanent exhibition, entitled Patterns of Time 2, is open as of June 2006.
This survey of Estonian applied art also takes an unprecedented look at the development of design. The two areas have at times been closely intertwined in both an Estonian and a broader context.
Estonian applied art began to be collected in an active, systematic manner in the mid-1950s: For a long time, the focus lay predominantly on one-of-a-kind artwork. In 2000, a design collection began to be created in order to preserve a record of examples of Estonian product design. The museum’s collection was thus for the most part assembled in the late 20th century.
As in the case of any historical overview, the main criterion tends to be based on what one or another phenomenon seemed to be at the time it was considered. The multifaceted nature of applied art and design makes it like a crossword puzzle without any one perfect solution. Instead time imposes its conditions and brings out certain things that it later casts aside or erase entirely.
The exhibition is on display on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the museum.
01.12.2006-14.01.2007 "We did the eating, we did the drinking..." Food culture in Soviet Estonia
The exhibition, compiled by the Estonian National Museum, presents contemporary artefacts, photos and text in order to create a picture of the rich and intriguing legacy of food culture in Soviet Estonia. The exhibition takes a look into both home kitchens and public eateries.
The exhibition was curated by Reet Piiri, Terje Anepaio and Ellen Värv.
25.01.-25.02.2007 "Estonian glass 70". Works of Estonian glass artists, 1996-2006
Dedicated to the 70th anniversary of Estonian glass, the exhibit surveys the state of the art, including the best works by Estonian artists in the medium, completed in the ten years preceding the exhibition. None of the trends, techniques or other parameters is preferred over others. A jury will make the final selection of works.
The exhibition is produced by the Association of Estonian Glass Artists.
03.03.-08.04.2007 " My World: Craft and Autonomy in Contemporary Design " This exhibition is part of a project that is an inquiry into the meaning and status of handicrafts at the dawn of the 21st century. The exhibition shines a light on the work of British designers and collectives of the younger generation working in the medium, such as the product designers Peter Draag, Doshi Levien, Committee and WOKMedia; the textile designer Alison Willoughby; the animator Danny Brown; and the Neutralist group of film-makers. Estonian textile designers provide counterpoint to the British artists, discovering new freshness in the topic.
The exhibition is made possible by the British Council.
13.04.-13.05.2007 “Transformation. Paper-clay-paperclay.” The compositions of Annika Teder
In her personal exhibition, ceramic artist Annika Teder presents three new large ceramic compositions made of paperclay, which continues to gain popularity among ceramic artists as a medium. In terms of their properties and appearance, Teder’s works in this material are informed by her earlier large forms, where she used nerikomi, a coloured clay technique.
14.04.-13.05.2007 "2+2". Jüri Kermik, Riina Kermik, Liisa Kermik, Jürgen Kermik
In this exhibition, 2 and 2 stands for an art family made up of two parents and their children, all of them artists or designers in various fields. Works by members of this family, which has resided for years in Great Britain, include Jüri’s installation of chairs in the “Äksi” collection, as well as folding tables and lights, Riina’s three-dimensional objects and a selection of her earlier works, Liisa's furniture and lights and Jürgen’s metal objects.
19.05.-22.06.2007 “When the model strode the catwalk…”
Retrospective: 50 years since the founding of Tallinn Fashion House
For decades the centre of the local fashion world, Tallinn Moemaja turns 50 this spring. From 1957-1992, the institution employed over 30 professional fashion designers and applied artists, graduates of the Estonian State Art Institute (ERKI). The retrospective exhibition gives an overview of the activity of this organization over three decades.
The exhibition takes place in cooperation with the Association of Estonian Fashion Artists and the fashion design department of the Estonian Academy of Arts.
The exhibition curator is Ana Ojavee.
01.06.-22.06.2007 Exhibition of works by students of the Estonian Academy of Arts - LEVEL '07. Faculty of Design
The traditional exhibition of BA and MA thesis works by students of the Academy of Arts – in an untraditional venue.
06.07.-19.08.2007 “Non-Stop”. Annual exhibition of the Association of Metal Artists
This is a non-stop exhibition that rotates every two weeks. An open competition adjudicated by a jury, the exhibition comprises works created by artists in the last three years. Artists from abroad are also represented alongside Estonian artists.
The exhibition is produced by the Metal Artists Association.
07.07.-19.08.2007 "The Story of Estonian Pots". Estonian Ceramics: Small Industries and Training Shops in the First Half of the 20th Century
As a rule, ceramics (and china) surrounding us is taken for granted and usually we do not give much thought on the origin of these articles.
Still, there are some older, decorous or just interesting items that make us wonder where these pieces come from.
The retrospective ceramics (and china) exhibition in ETDM is an attempt to paint a picture of the production of Estonian small industries and shops in the first half of the previous century, relying on the items preserved in museums and private collections. The task is by no means an easy one as often the ware lacks markings and, taking circumstantial evidence into account, just an educated guess can be made that it is an item of Estonian origin.
Airi Ligi, exhibition curator.
01.09.-14.10.2007 CHALLENGING THE CHATELAINE! International exhibition of jewellery art
The exhibition is initiated by Helen Williams Drutt English, known American jewellery curator and collector.
This exhibition includes jewellery created by seventy eight internationally known artists (from Europe, North and South America, Australia and Japan; from Estonia Kadri Mälk, Kristi Paap and Eve Margus-Villems) for role models of their choice reviving the tradition of chatelaine – a waist hung ornament with appendages.
The exposition was first shown in Designmuseo, Helsinki 29.09.2006 -14.01.2007
25.10.-02.12.2007 "10 years of group Vaba Tahe"
Vaba tahe (Free Will) is a group of twelve textile artists from different generations. All of the members are graduates of the Estonian Academy of Arts.
The goal of the group was to help Estonia’s embroidered rug tradition survive and flourish. Members are all independent artists who use the same technique and similar materials.
The exhibition was produced by Vaba Tahe and the Association of Ceramic Artists, with whom they have also collaborated in years past.
15.12.2007-03.02.2008 "Classics". Textile artist Lea Valter
In her work, Lea Valter (1926-) has used practically all techniques of weaving known to ,man, but tapestry woven rugs account for the greatest number of her works.
From 1951-1961, she worked as a sketch artist at the Art Products Plant. From 1967-93 she was artistic director of Ars’s decorative weaving studio, then a freelance artist.
Gaining recognition early in her career primarily for her tapestries, she became known in the early 1960s as an interpreter of Estonian folk ornamentation, using the flame motif and geometric patterns on the example of traditional striped folk rugs. From the 1970s, Valter’s work has predominantly featured monumentalism, clear compositions, compelling use of colour and tone and a consistent rhythm.
The exhibit presents earlier Valter work, including table mats, and woven sports outfits, as well as monumental stylized woven rugs inspired by folk ornamentation.
The exhibition curator is Kai Lobjakas.
The exhibition schedule is subject to change.
More info:
Kristi Paap
+372 627 4600
kristi@etdm.ee