Organisers: Merle Kasonen, Anu Almik, Katre Ratassepp, Keiu Krikmann, Linda al-Assi, Kertu Tuberg, Maarja Niinemägi, Ketli Tiitsar, Kristiina Nurk, Kateriin Rikken, Maret Sarapu, Kadi Pajupuu, Triin Jerlei
Exhibition design: Karli Luik (ab Kontekst)
Graphic Design: Marje and Martin Eelma (Tuumik Stuudio)
Installation: Valge Kuup
Artists: Naama Agassi, Ulla Ahola, Monika Auch, Beverly Ayling-Smith, Sofia Björkman, Chloe Brenan, Lin Chang-Rong, Eunmi Chun, Sara Chyan, Johanna Dahm, Hilde A Danielsen, Patricia Domingues, Jurgita Erminaitė-Šimkuvienė, Sabin Garea, Ellen Grieg, Adam Grinovich, Dainis Gudovskis, Kay Guo, Anita Hanch-Hansen, Maarit Helistvee, Nils Hint, Trine Hovden, Katrin Kabun, Pille Kaleviste, Joshua Kosker, Eero Kotli, Riikka Latva-Somppi, Thérèse Lebrun, Krista Leesi, Felieke van der Leest, Jaakko Leeve, Ivo Lill, Nanna Melland, Johanne Ness and Hanne Overland, Silja Saarepuu and Villu Plink, Debra Sloan, Céline Sylvestre, Aet Ollisaar, OTSE! and A5 (Nils Hint, Annika Kedelauk, Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav, Annika Pettersson, Adam Grinovich), Yuka Oyama, Ruudt Peters, Annelies Planteijdt, Edu Tarin (in collaboration with Klein & Becker GmbH & Co), Octave Vandeweghe, Tanel Veenre, Estela Saez Vilanova, Lin Wang, Hedvig Winge, Kiyoshi Yamamoto
In 2017, the 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial „Ajavahe. Time Difference“ invited audiences to reflect on the concept of time. While Greek mythology used to depict time as the wise old man with a grey beard known as Chronos, the contemporary personification of him seems to be a younger scatter-brained individual who is rather nervous and constantly rushing about. Both slowness (falling behind) and speed (extreme superficiality) have acquired equally negative connotations. At the same time, the sense of time is subjective. The pace of passing of time is not inevitable – its tempo and meaning are determined by our own choices and value systems.
At the main exhibition of the 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial applied artists and designers were working with different concepts of time through material artifacts. Alongside jewellery, glass, textile, blacksmithing, ceramics and traditional smaller formats, video and large-scale installations were featured as well. The main exhibition, took place in the Estonian Applied Art and Design Museum, displayed 49 works by artists from 19 countries. These works were chosen out of 256 submissions by an international jury. The jury also awarded three prizes to works exhibited at the main exhibition.
In addition to the main exhibition the triennial had a substantial satellite programme, featuring numerous solo and group exhibitions. A seminar discussing mediation in applied art took place and audiences were invited to take part in artist talks and guided tours. The catalogue covering the Triennal’s main exhibition and all the other events of the Triennial was published.
Grand Prix – Octave Vandeweghe (BEL)
II prize – Villu Plink and Silja Saarepuu (EST)
III prize – Jurgita Erminaité-Šimkuviené (LTU)
Acquisition Prize of the Estonian Museum of Applied Art and Design – Villu Plink and Silja Saarepuu (EST)
André Gali, art critic and editor (NOR)
Eija Mustonen, jewellery artist and teacher (FI)
Keiu Krikmann, gallerist, writer, translator and lecturer (EST)
Sarah Gilbert, artist and educator (USA)
Eik Hermann, philosopher, critic and lecturer (EST)
The seminar invited everyone to listen and discuss the topic of how to talk about and introduce applied art in a way that it would attract a wider audience as well. How to mediate applied art and design to different audiences and provoke meaningful discussions that would develop an overall design literacy? How does the small number of analytical texts about applied art affect artists?
The seminar provided a platform for artists, curators, gallerists and marketing and communications specialists.
Moderators: a gallerist, writer, translator and lecturer Keiu Krikmann and a historian of design and a lecturer Triin Jerlei.
Norwegian art critic and editor André Gali “Critical Issues in Contemporary Crafts: It’s time to Think Through Materials”
A Los Angeles based glass artist and educator Sarah Gilbert “Materials Push Back: Cultivating Naivety at the Intersections of Art, Craft and Design”
A freelance journalist and researcher Karin Paulus from Estonia “Surviving practice: Mixing and Multitasking”
A museum educator specializing in design Hanna Kapanen from Finland “Design Matters: Learning about the values and impact of design”
A critic, editor, curator and lecturer Liz Farrelly from United Kingdom “Mediating Design: a case study in diversity at London’s Design Museum”
The satellite programme consisted of 26 exhibitions, performances and installations that took place in galleries, cafés, open studios and other exciting locations all over Tallinn. There were solo and group exhibitions, sound and participatory installations, a glass art project involving 17 cafés in Tallinn, as well as open studios in the satellite programme.
Students of the Estonian Academy of Arts
Textile artists’ group Free Will
Kätrin Beljaev, Rita-Livia Erikson, Nils Hint, Pilleriin Jürisoo, Annika Kedelauk, Mart Kekišev, Kairin Koovit, Keiu Koppel, Katrin Kosenkranius, Katarina Kotselainen, Triin Kukk, Siim Kuusemäe, Kadi Kübarsepp, Andreas Lichfeld, Helen-Kristi Loo, Marita Lumi, Liina Lõõbas, Urmas Lüüs, Anneli Oppar, Rauno Paju, Ettel Poobus, Darja Popolitova, Anna-Maria Saar, Merilin Tõnisoja, Paul Villemi
Rainer Kaasik-Aaslav
Andra Jõgis, Kristiina Oppi, Aleksandra Pavlenkova, Birgit Pählapuu, Maria Tamm, Raili Velt
Andra Jõgis, Birgit Pählapuu, Marilin Kristjuhan, Eve Koha, Merle Lobjakas, Kateriin Rikken, Merle Kannus, Aleksandra Pavlenkova, Maret Sarapu, Kai Kiudsoo-Värv, Sofi Aršas, Maria Tamm, Kristiina Oppi, Piret Ellamaa, Anna-Maria Vaino, Eeva Käsper, Tiina Sarapu, Eili Soon, Malle Karik-Hallimäe, Kati Kerstna
Risto Tali and Rait Siska
Sarah Gilbert
Urmas Lüüs
Marit Ilison
Lisa Kröber and Kätrin Beljaev
Sharon Massey, Jo Pond, Panjapol Kulp, Deborah Rudolph, Kätrin Beljaev and Lisa Kröber
Julia Maria Künnap
Anne Metsis, Anu Hint, Juta Piirlaid, Katre Arula, Kärt Karjatse Lee Reinula, Liivika Põvat Straus, Maire Valdma, Mari Aakre, Merje Rääbis, Yumiko Okazakiand Sirje Laansoo / Estonian Association of Fashion Designers
Students of the Estonian Academy of Arts, Departament of Glass Art
Urmas Puhkan, Külli Kõiv, Aigi Orav, Kärt Seppel, Lauri Kilusk / Asuurkeraamika
Duo Retz&Sööt
Jaan Pärn
Sofia Hallik
Sandra Kossorotova
Cathy Saarm, Merilin Tartes, Mariliis Kapp, Mart Vaarpuu, Joosep Pihl /2nd year ceramics students of the Estonian Academy of Arts
Anastassia Nikitina, Claudia Lepik, Liisbeth Kirss, Liina Lelov, Kätlin Kokk, Veronika Ovsyannikova, Sigrid Kuusk, Ljubov Kedrina, Marilin Laas (glass art), Kaia Ansip, Liisbet Linntamm / 2nd year students of the Jewellery and Blacksmithing Department of the Estonian Academy of Arts
Sarah Johnston
Ksenja Kuligina
Christel Allik, Mari Haavel, Kertu Sillaste, Riste Laasberg, Piret Valk and Siiri Minka / Group RXII
Karin Kalman
Publisher: NGO Tallinn Applied Art Triennial Society
Compiled by: Linda al-Assi, Keiu Krikmann
Translation and language editing: Re:finer, Keiu Krikmann, Katre Ratassepp, A&A Lingua
Design: Marje Eelma, Martin Eelma (Tuumik Stuudio)
Colour correction of photos: Marje Eelma (Tuumik Stuudio)
Printing house: Tallinn Book Printers
ISBN: 978-9949-9906-0-3
Measures: 217 x 280 mm (72 pages)
Print run: 600 copies