“Scenic Shop” by Estonian Association of Scenographers

On Friday, November 14, at 6 p.m., the Estonian Association of Scenographers (ELKL) will open a group exhibition entitled Scenic Shop at Vabaduse Gallery. The opening speeches are scheduled for the same evening, starting at 7 p.m.

The exhibition is dedicated to Eldor Renter, a leading figure in Estonian theater painting, who would have celebrated his 100th birthday this year. 

The exhibition features works by ten artists – paintings by Malle Leis, Eldor Renter, Andres Koort, Mauri Gross, Hardi Volmer, Pille Jänes, Erki Kasemets, Liisi Eelmaa, Illimar Vihmar and Estookin will be on display. Many of the artists are exhibiting their paintings for the first time. 

There was a time when everything on the theater stage was painted – large background images measuring several dozen meters flashed up and down during the play, pieces of furniture made from simple materials were painted over to look like fine salon furniture, and all the costumes were also brushed over. Painting was the main tool of a scenographer.

Times have changed, theater has changed and needs new techniques and instruments. But good old painting has not disappeared anywhere. It can still be found in the theater and in the studios of stenographers.

Not all of the authors participating in the exhibition are (or have been) active theater artists. However, while studying scenography at school, they took their first steps in painting – with the theater's scenic salon on the horizon.

The curators and designers of the exhibition are Mae Kivilo and Marge Martin.

Scenic Shop – an exhibition from the ELKL exhibition series 1:10 – will remain open at Vabaduse Gallery until December 10, 2025.

The Association of Estonian Scenographers (ELKL) brings together 66 professional scenographers, whose main area of activity is creation of scenography for plays, films, television studios and exhibitions. The association is a sub-association of the Estonian Theatre Union and the Estonian Artists Association.
Since 2017, ELKL has been organising the exhibition series 1:10 (1 to 10 scale), which over the years has featured stage designers as well as costume, lighting, and video artists, with each exhibition opening up a new facet of the synergistic nature of scenography.

Additional information:
Vabaduse Gallery
Tel: +372 5805 0009
E-post: vabaduse@eaa.ee
Vabaduse väljak 6
10146 Tallinn
Mon–Fri 11.00–18.00
Sat  11.00–17.00