group exhibition “Peculiarities of South-West Estonian Anarchism”

On Friday, 12 April at 5 p.m., the group exhibition “Peculiarities of South-West Estonian Anarchism” will open in the large gallery of the Tartu Art House as part of the art project “Pärnu-Tartu-Pärnu Art Express”. The curator of the exhibition is Janno Bergmann.

The exhibition introduces the work of artists with some connection to the city of Pärnu, from the late 90s to the present day through photo and video documentation. The focus is mainly on performance and installation.

The term “South-West Estonian anarchism” is not an official term, it was coined by art historian and curator Eha Komissarov in a rather random situation. However, it is perfectly suited to characterize the Pärnu School, being logical in essence and intriguing as a brand. South-West Estonia is exactly where Pärnu, known as a resort town, is located on the map of Estonia. Anarchism does not refer to a political position here. Rather, this definition refers to the Pärnu School operating outside the hierarchies and established traditions of the art world.

When evaluating the visual aspects, there may not always be similarities between the artists of the South-West Estonian anarchist School, but they are essentially united by their performativity - their work is seen as a process rather than a diligent striving towards a goal. Performance is also often a basis for artworks, in painting, graphics, sculpture, installation, photography, and of course, video.

The exhibition consists of nearly 100 photo documentaries and 50 video documentaries. The Tartu Art House exhibition will also include a selection of physical art objects from participating artists. In various combinations, the exhibition has previously been shown at the Pispala Centre of Contemporary Art in Finland (2019), the Batumi Gallery of Contemporary Art in Georgia (2016), the Kaliningrad Centre for Contemporary Art (2016) and the Diaghilev Museum of Contemporary Art in St Petersburg, Russia (2014).

Participating in the exhibition with documentation of their works will be Billeneeve, Ville-Karel Viirelaid, Andrus Joonas, Tanel Saar, Siram, Sorge, Rauno Teider, Janno Bergmann, Cnopt, Art Container, Rubens, Circus Art Theatre “Giraffe with the Flaming Neck”.

The exhibition is supported by the Tartu 2024, Cultural Endowment of Estonia and the city of Pärnu.
The exhibition will remain open until 19 May.

Art project “Pärnu-Tartu Art Express” is part of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 additional programme.

Additional information:
Urmo Teekivi
Producer of Tartu Art House 
E-mail: produtsent@kunstimaja.ee
Tel: +372 511 0883

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Tartu Art House (Vanemuise 26) is open Wed–Mon 12.00–18.00. Exhibitions are free.
Tartu Art House is supported by Tartu City and Cultural Endowment of Estonia.