LAIVI “Mapping Paradise”

The opening of the exhibition “Mapping Paradise” by Laivi / I Λ I V I is held on February 13th, 6PM at ARS Art Factory’s Project Space.
The exhibition is open until February 23rd, Tue-Sat 12-6PM.

Mapping serves as a dynamic method, enabling a comprehensive understanding and mastery over a given territory. This potent tool not only facilitates observation of vast landscapes but also unveils dimensions previously hidden or unimaginable.
The map transcends mere representation, becoming a distinct territory, separate from its reflection. This dual projection exposes only a provisional fragment of its multidimensional identity. Empty surfaces symbolise untapped potential within the unknown, while dark areas conceal a captivating utopia within their multifaceted nature.
Portraying spatiality and multiple dimensions on a two-dimensional plane highlights the relativity of abstraction. Emerging paradoxes underscore the complexity of varied definitions and the challenge of encapsulating a wealth of data within limited space.
The outcome is a fragmented reflection, with open surfaces laid bare for insights to unfold. This poetic and aesthetic narrative engages in a profound dialogue with everyday reality, capturing both clarity and a distinctive sense of displaced space and time.
Navigating these ethereal landscapes encourages exploration beyond familiar boundaries, signifying shared territories of hopes and dreams. The journey extends beyond mere geographical coordinates, reaching into the unexpected twists and turns of an odyssey, creating a map of aspirations and undiscovered possibilities.

Laivi / I Λ I V I (Laivi Suurväli) is an Estonian artist currently based in Tallinn. Her work is characterised by a material-centred and experimental approach to textiles and expands from garments and accessories to large-scale works on canvas and in resin, two-dimensional painting-like collages, three-dimensional sculptures, installations and performances.
In her creative practice, Laivi explores alternatives to analyse fashion as a phenomenon. With a focus on the experiential nature of clothing, she examines its conceptual possibilities through lenses such as visual aesthetics, functionality, and forms of expression. Recurrent themes within her works include the exploration of value and identity, the interplay of desire and addiction, the dynamics of production and consumption, and the delicate balance between preservation and destruction.
Laivi holds a Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design from the Estonian Academy of Arts, complemented by a Master's degree from Aalto University in Helsinki. Her artistic journey has been enriched through internships and residencies in London, Copenhagen, Barcelona, and Brussels. Since 2014 she has held several solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group exhibitions of contemporary art.
Laivi was awarded the Annual Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Visual and Applied Arts, for her outstanding artistic works in 2021, including her solo exhibition “Collecting and Preserving” at Hobusepea Gallery, series “Goods and Services” with Kasia Gorniak, and “Notes, Shed Skins and Dissolved Memories” displayed at Helsinki Design Museum.

The exhibition is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Estonian Artists’ Association and Liviko AS.