THE ESTONIAN ARTISTS ASSOCIATION AND MAALEHT PRESENT: LIFE ON EARTH AND IN THE COUNTRY

For a large part of the art world, the spring exhibition is an important event that allows for artists to compare themselves to others. The Estonian Artists Association has sought to diversify the yearly event through the design, selection of participants as well as by proposing interesting themes. According to Vano Allsalu, the president of the Artists Association, the survey exhibition is like spring – it will surely arrive, but each can be dramatically different from the last.

This year, the spring exhibition is aspiring to map the situation and see how well the artists can engage with the rural population. There could be no better partners than the newspaper that reports on rural life and Mari Kartau who is close to both nature and art and was invited to curate the exhibition by the Artists Association. Andres Eilart, the Editor-in-Chief of the Maaleht said: “On the occasion of our jubilee we decided to bring rural themes to Estonia’s main square. We involved both the readers and the artists in order to achieve something grand and special. A thick piece of good Estonian art always helps to capture a topic most strikingly and record life most lastingly.”

Every exhibition organiser brings his or her own experiences to the table along with the artists that have shared those experiences. Mari Kartau, who has searched for alternatives to the capital’s art scene, has spurred herself to include artists from Pärnu, Uue-Antsla, Kõima, Mooste, Lauka, Viiratsi, Põlva, Võru, Lehola, Lihula, Türi, Läsna, Kõnnu and Tartu in the exhibition. This has changed the overall nature of the annual exhibition, which is usually quite reserved, and made it more energetic and colourful. The special March 2nd issue of Maaleht and the exhibition design both adhere to common thematic divisions and a large part of the newspaper, which functions as a guide to the exhibition, will be devoted to the artists and their works.

The artists participating in the exhibition include: Aleksei Shatunov, Andres Koort, Andrus Joonas, August Künnapu, Danel Kahar, Edgar Tedresaar, Eero Ijavoinen, Einar Vene, Enn Põldroos, Erika Tammpere, Erki Kasemets, Eve Viidalepp, Evelyn Grzinich, Evi Tihemets-Viires, Fideelia-Signe Roots, Grisli Soppe-Kahar, Hannah Harkes, Heli Tuksam, Jaan Elken, Jane Remm, Jarõna Ilo, Juhan Soomets, Jüri Kass, Kaarel Kütas, Kadi Kübarsepp, Kadi-Maarja Võsu, Kadri Bormeister, Kaire Nurk, Karl-Kristjan Nagel, Katrin Piile, Kelli Valk, Lembit Sarapuu, Leonhard Lapin, Liisa Kruusmägi, Loit Jõekalda, Maara Vint, Maigi Magnus, Mall Paris, Mare Mikof, Margus Sorge Tiitsmaa, Mari Roosvalt, Mari Prekup, Maria-Kristiina Ulas, Marje Üksine, Marju Bormeister, Martin Saar, Mauri Gross, Merike Sule-Trubert, Miljard Kilk, Naima Neidre, Nelly Drell, Peeter Laurits, Per William Petersen, billeneeve, Pille Ernesaks, Piret Ellamaa, Piret Meos, Piret Mildeberg, PUSA, Priit Pangsepp, Rait Prääts, Rait Rosin, Rao Heidmets, Rein Mägar, Siim-Tanel Annus, Silja Saarepuu and Villu Plink, Silver Vahtre, Silvi Liiva, Sirje Eelma, Sofi Aršas, Katrin Valdre and Sven Saag, Tanel Tolsting, Tarmo Roosimölder, Tarmo Puudist, Tarvo Kaspar Toome, Tauno Kangro, Terje Ojaver, Tiina Tammetalu, Tiit Jaanson, Tiit Pääsuke, Tiiu Kirsipuu, Tiiu Pallo-Vaik, Toomas Kuusing, —> Noolegrupp, Tuuliki Avango, Uno Roosvalt, Valev Sein, Juss Piho, Vilen Künnapu; the exhibition was designed by Terje Ojaver.

Thanks to: the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, the Ministry of Culture, Tallinn Tallinn Department of Culture, Veinisõber, Kuu Stuudio, Sadolin.