Idealists
Exhibition of applied art, curator Karin Paulus
Curator Karin Paulus has invited artists to participate in the exhibition who are united by a wish to use their art to accept responsibility for the consumption craze, social and industrial catastrophes and loss of ethical spirit and to improve the world. The exhibition at the Tallinn Art Hall includes designs made from waste, DIY furniture, designs for children and the visually impaired, as well as jewellery and everyday items that require lasting craftsmanship.
Applied art and design are usually related to our daily consumption of products and services. An exhibition called Idealists will be open at the Tallinn Art Hall in July and August that introduces Estonian artists that want to change the world with their art, that is, do something other than just throwing a few Euros in a donation box, or participating in the yearly “Let’s Do It” cleanup campaign.
“At this curated exhibition I want to show that in today’s cultural space idealism not only mean seeking the common denominator between religions as possible mitigation for peace and the refugee crisis, but that a totally different approach is possible. Values can also be based on the sharing and gifting of one’s knowledge and skills, a cleaner environment, more meaningful surroundings,” says the curator Karin Paulus, emphasising the broader reasoning behind the exhibition.
The designers knowingly sought ways to avoid the polluting and socially unsustainable mass production and consumption chain. Instead, the faculty members of the Viljandi Culture Academy offer their centuries-old skills and knowledge; zero-waste designers focus on recycling modern manufacturing wastes; and artists and charitable organisations inspired by a new spirituality help to change people’s way of thinking.
Karin Paulus: “The idea for the exhibition was inspired by Kalle Aasamäe, Estonia’s most original menswear designer, who went to Kenya to organise a school uniform procurement and deal with product development. He also taught the local sewers and encouraged them to continue implementing their skills.”
Introductions of the exhibition’s artists and workshops will take place every Thursday at the Tallinn Art Hall, where the possibility of using design and manual skills to improve the world will be discussed and demonstrated.
The artists participating in the exhibition include: Kalle Aasamäe, Andres Ansper, Reet Aus, Rene Haljasmäe, Monika Hint, Madlen Hirtentreu, Sandra Jõgeva, Kadri Jäätma, Erki Kannus, Karmo Kiilmann, Andrei Kormašov, Kraam (Killu Sukmit, Minna Hint), Eva Liisa Kubinyi, Urve Küttner, Tarrvi Laamann, Krista Leesi, Veiko Liis, Tarmo Luisk, Ave Matsin, Marta Moorats, Müürileht, Oaas (Maria Pukk, Ivar Lubjak), Aet Ollisaar, Anu Paal, Kristina Rajando, Martin Rästa, Aune Taamal, Erika Tammpere, Kristel Saan, and Urmas-Ott (Urmas Lüüs, Hans-Otto Ojaste)
The exhibition was designed by the Laika Belka & Strelka design office. A special edition of the Müürileht, dealing with the themes of the exhibition and introducing and expanding on the works, will appear in connection with the exhibition.
Thanks to: Mondo MTÜ
