25/04/2017

The Grand Prix of the 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial was awarded to Belgian artist Octave Vandeweghe for his series of objects “Cultured Manners”. The second place went to Villu Plink and Silja Saarepuu from Estonia and the third prize was won by Lithuanian artists Jurgita Erminaité-Šimkuvienéle.

All three prize winners clearly present the leading idea of the main exhibition, time difference. They all showcase engagement with the past, present and future; all works make visible also the geological time. The jury appreciated the quality of the craft and the merging of idea, materials and a humorous approach.

The series of utensils made of polished precious stones titled “Cultured manners” by Belgian artist Octave Vandeweghe. Photo: Liina Lelov

The series of utensils made of polished precious stones titled “Cultured manners” by Belgian artist Octave Vandeweghe verges on the lines of functionality and beauty. In the words of the jury, it brings together hi-tech and low-tech, synthetic and natural. “The work presents hints to functionality, at the same time being impractical, and it also contains tension between made and found objects,” said the international jury. In the series Ocatve Vandeweghe uses citrine, phantom quartz and verneuil sapphire.

A still frame from the video “Carpet”. Authors Villu Plink and Silja Saarepuu.

The second prize was awarded to Villu Plink and Silja Saarepuu for their video “Carpet” showing the endless process of ploughing a field into a carpet. “It is a whimsical, light hearted, grounded work with multiple layers that also brings together traditional and modern techniques and media,” remarked the jury. This work also received the Purchase Prize of the Estonian Applied Art and Design Museum, which means the video will be bought for the museum’s collection.

Jurgita Erminaité-Šimkuvienét “It’s Only a Question of Time”. Photo: author

The third award was given to Lithuanian artist Jurgita Erminaité-Šimkuvienét, whose amber flypaper is titled “It’s Only a Question of Time”. The jury observed that the essence of this usually dirt-attracting everyday object is well captured and at the time transformed into something precious. “As the amber also contains ancient insects in its bubbles, the theme of capture is bringing different time scales together into a beautiful whole,” remarked the jury.

The jury was made up of Norwegian art critic and editor André Gali, Finnish jewellery artist and manager of Fine Arts in the Saimaa University of Applied Sciences Eija Mustonen, glass artist and Assistant Professor of Sculpture in the art field group at Pitzer College (USA) Sarah Gilbert, philosopher, critic and lecturer Eik Hermann and gallerist, translator and writer Keiu Krikmann from Estonia.

The grand prix included an award fund of 2500€, the second and third prize respectively 1500€ and 1000€.

The main exhibition of 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial “Ajavahe. Time Difference” at the Estonian Museum Applied Art and Design (Lai 17, Tallinn) is open until 23 July. The museum is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11–18, closed on Monday and Tuesday and Estonian national holidays.

 

Anu Almik


20/04/2017

The main exhibition of the 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial will be opened in the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design this Friday, 21 April. The opening weekend of the triennial will include guided tours at the main exhibition, but also artist talks. Prior to the opening of the main exhibition everyone is invited to take part in the seminar and extensive satellite programme.

The thematic main exhibition of the 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial features artists from Nordic countries, Central Europe, United Kingdom, Ireland, Spain, Israel, but also China, Taiwan, USA and Canada. Their artworks reflecting on the concept of time were chosen to the exhibition out of 256 works submitted to the open call. The exhibition includes ceramics, jewellery, glass, textile and blacksmithing, but also video and large-scale installations.

It is also possible to visit the main exhibition in the Estonian Applied Art and Design Museum (Lai 17) with a tour guide. The first guided tours will take place on Saturday, 22 April at 11.00 (in Estonian) and at 16.00 (in English) and on Sunday, 23 April (in Russian). To participate in the guided tour museum ticket is required; the duration of the tour is approximately an hour.

On Saturday, 22 April everyone is welcome to meet the artists taking part of the main exhibition. From 12.00–15.00 the artists will be giving presentations at the Loewenschede tower (Kooli 7).

In addition to the main exhibition the triennial features an extensive satellite programme. This week alone will include 10 solo and group exhibition openings, as well as sound and participatory installations, a glass art project taking place in various cafés in Tallinn, a seminar on art mediation and many other events. To get more information on the opening weekend programme, see here.

Anu Almik


06/04/2017

With the aim of improving the visibility of applied art and design, a seminar “Modes of mediating applied art and design” will take place on the day of the opening of the triennial, 21 April. Everyone interested is welcome to pre-register!

Bringing together artists, critics, curators and communications professionals and other esteemed experts, the seminar seeks an answer to the question of how to mediate applied art to a wider public, offer relevant feedback to artists and raise the overall design literacy in society.

The presenters include André Gali, a Norwegian art critic and editor (Norwegian Crafts Magazine), Sarah Gilbert, a glass artists and educator from United States, Karin Paulus, an Estonian critic and journalist, Liz Farrelly, a critic, editor, curator and educator from United Kingdom and Hanna Kapanen, a curator of educational programmes from Finland.

The registration form and more information about the seminar can be found here.

Anu Almik