Mery Crystal Ra’s solo exhibition “INVISIBLE”

On 17 April, Mery Crystal Ra's (Meeli Kõiva) solo exhibition "INVISIBLE" will open at the Tallinn TV Tower. The exhibition is dedicated to the 45th anniversary of the Tallinn TV Tower, and the 65th anniversary of Mery Crystal Ra. The exhibition remains open until 31 December 2025.

At the exhibition, the artist exhibits her latest works, WAITING FOR THE WHITE SHIP, and  RESIDENCE OF CICADAS. Also exhibited are her painting series COSMOSCACTUS and RESIDENCE OF CICADAS. The best of the artist's decades-long work on the posters will be on display. A short film, "MERY CRYSTAL RA," which summarises the artist's work, created by Igor Ruus will be presented.

"The exhibition is about my work over the past 40 years, and this journey of searching and experimenting from nothing to something /invisible to visible. Also featured will be my newer work," said the artist.

"All my life I have been looking for the very fine lines of air that are made visible by special light. Without light, they are non-existent, invisible. I have been looking for energies and synergies between people that would make sheets of paper fly. I have transformed them into my paintings, light sculptures and light works," said Mery Crystal Ra.

The philosophy of the exhibition lies in these lines of poetry: nothing turns into something / the invisible is made visible / i'm still chasing / after radical radiance / or the shiniest shining / is chasing after me / i seek the energies / i seek the synergies / between people / i seek the energies / which could make paper sheets fly / and i get the answers / from my dreams / at night

Why an exhibition at the TV Tower? In 1985, something unprecedented was born at the Tallinn TV Tower. Artist Mery Crystal Ra erected her glass light sculpture on the observation deck, the likes of which the world had never seen before. The sculpture used light-conducting materials, which at the time could only be found in scientific laboratories and military factories. Initially, the plan was to use lasers to illuminate the sculpture, but this was abandoned due to fire safety concerns. That sculpture survived the attack on the TV Tower by the Soviet Army in August 1991. There, the work welcomed the rebirth of the Republic of Estonia. Today, that legendary sculpture has disappeared under mysterious circumstances.

Tea Tammelaan designed the installation. Professor Jaak Kikas is the scientific advisor. 

Support for this exhibition comes from: William O'Keeffe, Safti Ltd USA (major sponsor); Klaasart OÜ, Jaan Laasik; Anton Jegorov, Videal Productions OÜ; Tintti Mikkonen, Firelady Finland; Margo Kõlar; Prof. Jaak Kikas; GlasStress OÜ; prof. Helle Metslang; Sirelpuu family; Tea Tammelaan; Lilleoru MTÜ; Anton Rütman, Netiabi; Hannes Hamburg; David Katz, U.S. Embassy. 

 

Mery Crystal Ra has won numerous international competitions for her experimental, innovative, and conceptual works. His light-glass sculptures were innovations, more than 30 years ahead of their time. The artist's first exhibition of light sculptures occurred in 1991. Her first light exhibition, which caused an international sensation, was in Pavilion 1 of the Estonian Fairs in Pirita, Tallinn, Estonia. An international conference commemorating the 30th anniversary of that pioneering exhibition, was held at KUMU Modern Art Museum in 2022.

In 2015, Mery Crystal Ra was selected in a global competition to exhibit at the closing ceremony of the UNESCO International Year of Light in Merida an interactive solo exhibition „LIGHT FOR PEACE". At the scientific conference for that event, she gave a presentation on her experimental glass-light sculptures for a NOBEL panel titled “The future of light and Art". In 2016, Mery Crysta Ra was chosen as the European Ambassador of Light. She won the  "Light in the City/Northern Light“ competition for European professional artists three times. The glass-light sculpture "Flying Sheets of Paper," created for Glaston, a Finnish glass company, won the People's Choice Award at the global public art competition of the US CODAworx magazine. World`s leading magazine for public art /architectural art.

Mery Crystal Ra's exhibition "Parasite Beach" at the Estonian Mining Museum, Kohtla Nõmme,  was selected as one of the five award-winning top 5 best culture works of the Year at the competition of the Estonian Chamber of Culture in 2016. The artist has been nominated for the Kristjan Raud Prize several times. The Kristjan Raud Art Award is the oldest and most prestigious art award in Estonia. The award is given out annually by the Estonian Artists' Association and Tallinn City Government. 

Mery Crystal Ra’s experimental painting, glass, video, and light works have been selected several times as one of the world's top 25 works in the US CODAworx magazine competition: the exhibition REACTIVE RIVER in the main building of the European Parliament, the sculpture FLYING SHEET OF PAPER in the Glaston headquarters building (Tampere, Finland), the work "Golden Gate meets Golden Gateway" in Mäetaguse, Estonia, the interactive global video sculpture "Flying sheet of paper"- the video about the Glaston light- glass sculpture.

Opinions:

Thomas Lawrence, arts critics, Manhattan Arts magazine: "Mery Crystal Ra's creative philosophy is constantly changing the glass environment through innovative glass and light art. Luminosity, spontaneity and movement are qualities that immediately come to mind when looking at Mery Crystal Ra's abstract work. Water, shadow, reflections and light are inseparable parts of the artist's works. A deep sense of freedom, flexibility and depth. Mery Crystal Ra's glass sculptures often create the illusion that the space around them is constantly changing. This impression has been achieved thanks to the vigorous use of innovative materials and technologies."

Rosemarie Montague-Tiesler, top art guru, art historian, and gallerist, Manhattan, NYC: "Mery Crystal Ra is one of our artists that we exhibited in our art gallery in Soho, New York, in the 90s! She is the Tesla of the art world. She is the most talented and internationally renowned artist of our time!"

Eric Saarinen, filmmaker, President, Eric Saarinen Films, Los Angeles: "Mery Crystal Ra understands the human spirit. She uses light, sound, and color to inspire us all to be better people and grow spiritually higher. She is very creative and technical at the same time – she uses modern technologies to tell stories. She is a true princess of light!"

 

Mery Crystal Ra Paintings:   Saatchi Mery Crystal Ra Paintings and Monumental Works: https://www.saatchiart.com/en-ee/account/profile/96344?srsltid=AfmBOorvmCQqcXD4MKj8r4_HKAvcI4329sUGGHVEI3Gjx_DdmkkD7drz

 Message of the exhibition on the TV Tower website: https://teletorn.ee/sundmused/mery-crystal-ra-nahtamatu-naitus/