Open call Archives – Tallinna rakenduskunsti triennaal

15/05/2024

A record number of 470 artists or artist groups applied for the open call of the 9th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial. Among the applicants, 28 artists were selected whose works will be exhibited at the exhibition The Fine Lines of Constructiveness, opening in October this year at Kai Art Center. Applications for the triennial’s satellite programme are open until the end of May.

According to Maret Sarapu, the curator of the exhibition, the open call gave a great overview of what is current on the art scenes in the Nordic and the Baltic art fields. “Fascinating experiments with material, slow technologies, finding new use to forgotten or marginal materials definitely stood out,” said Sarapu. The highest number of submitted applications presented installations, there was also a considerable number of works of textile and fibre arts.

In total, 28 artists or groups were selected for the main exhibition of the triennial with works addressing the notion of constructiveness in a way that spoke to the curator the most. Selected artists include (in alphabetical order): Karin Roy Andersson (Sweden), Riikka Anttonen (Finland), Ieva Baltrėnaitė-Markevičė (Lithuania), Sofia Björkman (Sweden), Per Brandstedt (Sweden), Vincent Dumay (Sweden), Signe Fensholt (Denmark), Hanne Haukom (Norway), Liisa Hietanen (Finland), Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė (Lithuania), Kati Kerstna (Estonia), Lauri Kilusk (Estonia), Karel Koplimets (Estonia), Arja Kärkkäinen (Finland), Krista Leesi (Estonia), Alves Ludovico (Finland), Jennie McMillen (Sweden), Anda Munkevica (Latvia), Kadi Pajupuu (Estonia), Anu Penttinen (Finland), Tiina Puhkan (Estonia), Saara Renvall (Finland), Vilde Rudjord (Norway), Taavi Teevet (Estonia), Margit Terasmees (Estonia), Ketli Tiitsar (Estonia), Linda Vilka (Latvia) and Ellisif Hals, Yuvia Maini and Cassius Lambert (Sweden and Norway) presenting a collaborative work.

For this edition of the triennial, application was open to artists from the Baltic and the Nordic countries. Among these, Finland was the most active with 118 applications, followed by 102 from Estonia, 81 from Sweden, 64 from Norway, 40 from Latvia and 39 from Lithuania. More modest interest was shown from Denmark and Iceland and in numerous cases, groups were made up of artists from several countries.

The main exhibition of the triennial, entitled The Fine Lines of Constructiveness takes place at Kai Art Center from 5 October 2024 until 16 February 2025.

As in previous years, the triennial is accompanied by a satellite programme consisting of exhibitions, performances, installations and other events that link to the theme of this year’s triennial and highlight applied art and contemporary craft in a broader sense.

Please submit information regarding potential events for the satellite programme no later than 31 May 2024 by filling out this form (LINK).

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial is an international applied art event, established in 1997 with the aim of supporting and empowering the development of the field of applied art and contemporary craft.

Anu Almik

The open call of the main exhibition of the 9th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial received 470 applications. The highest number of submissions came from our Nordic neighbour, Finland with 118 applications, followed by Estonia with 102, Sweden with 81, Norway with 64, Latvia with 40, Lithuania with 39, Denmark with 17 and Iceland with 5 applications. Some of the applications were presented by groups with members from different countries. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants – we are happy to see such strong interest.

The curator of the exhibition, Maret Sarapu will finalise her selection by 12 April after which we will contact all applicants. The list of artists selected for the main exhibition will be made public within the month of May.

Commenting on the submissions, Maret Sarapu highlighted the fact that artists are actively experimenting with material. “Artists are experimenting with new symbioses or exploring new uses for a variety of materials, they seek a place for materials that have been on the margins or forgotten. I also see a lot of concern about sustainability and the life cycle of materials,” says Sarapu.

Many use slow technologies, which raises the question whether craft as a calming activity is a basic need or luxury. “Working slowly means that the artist takes time to get to know something or someone better, to grieve or to pray,” she explains. Cyanotype, jacquard weave and embroidery were among the more popular techniques. We also received a considerable number of video works.

When it comes to material, textile was among the most popular as well. However, of the 470 submitted works, the highest number of applications presented installations featuring multiple materials.

The main exhibition of the 9th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial The Fine Lines of Constructiveness is open at the Kai Art Center from 5 October 2024 until 16 February 2025.

Anu Almik

22/01/2024

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial announces an open call for its 2024 main exhibition The Fine Lines of Constructiveness. The triennial is also seeking applications for its satellite programme.

The open call for the main exhibition of the 9th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial welcomes applications from artists from the Baltic and the Nordic countries. For the main exhibition, artists will be selected via open call as well as via invitation by the curator.

The 2024 triennial is curated by Maret Sarapu, focusing on constructiveness, rebuilding and moving towards solutions. “For me, constructiveness is above all a willingness to experiment, to look for unexpected collaborations, to innovate and make something new,” says the curator. “Constructiveness can emerge when means are scarce, energy low or when it is understood that we need to be gentle with one another.” It can also appear in natural clear-mindedness. Constructiveness does not mean merely “pointing to the sore points in society” and then stopping there. Thus, we are seeking works that showcase individual or collective methods to move towards solutions.”

The call is open to both individuals and groups from a variety of fields of applied art and contemporary craft. Tallinn Applied Art Triennial seeks works either in physical or digital form. More information about the open call and the thematic focus of the triennial is available HERE. Submissions are open until 15 March 2024 via Typeform HERE.
The main exhibition of the triennial, titled The Fine Lines of Constructiveness opens at Kai Art Center on 4 October 2024 and remains open until 16 February 2025.

As in previous years, the triennial is accompanied by a satellite programme consisting of exhibitions, performances, installations and other events that link to the theme of this year’s triennial and highlight applied art and contemporary craft in a broader sense.

Please submit information regarding potential events for the satellite programme no later than 15 May 2024 to info@trtr.ee. We kindly ask that you include the date, location and a short description of the event in the e-mail. Based on submissions, the triennial compiles the satellite programme by autumn 2024. The triennial introduces the satellite programme in its communications, however, (co)funding for projects is not available.

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial is an international applied art event, established in 1997 with the aim of supporting and empowering the development of the field of applied art and contemporary craft.

Anu Almik

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial extends the deadline for application to satellite programme until next week. The Triennial welcomes project submissions that relate to its theme, translucency or introduce the field of applied art in other ways until Thursday, 14 January. We kindly ask that you include the date, location and a short description of the event and send it to info@trtr.ee.

The main exhibition of the 8th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial “Translucency” opens at Kai Art Center on 28 May 2021 and will remain open to visitors until 15 August 2021. The satellite programme welcomes exhibitions, performances, installations and other events taking place in Tallinn between May and August this year. The Triennial introduces the satellite programme in its communications, however, (co)funding for projects is not available.

The main exhibition of the Triennial is curated by Danish glass artist and art historian Stine Bidstrup, who selected works from 24 international artists to interpret the theme. The exhibition includes various fields of applied art and focuses on the critical potential of translucency in contemporary craft. The Triennial’s main exhibition features the following artists from Estonia: Linda
Aasaru, Eeva Käsper, Sandra Kosorotova, Julia Maria Künnap, Eve Margus-Villems, Helena Tuudelepp and Hanna-Maria Vanaküla.

The satellite programme of the previous Tallinn Applied Art Triennial in 2017 featured 26 exhibitions, performances, open studios and installation in various locations in Tallinn. The main exhibition of the Triennial was visited by around 5000 people during its three-month opening period and including its satellite programme, the total number of visitors to the Triennial was estimated at 30 000.

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial is an international art event established in 1997, organised by NGO Tallinn Applied Art Triennial Society. The Triennial contributes to the development of fields of applied art and contemporary craft.

Anu Almik

The 8th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial, taking place next year invites artists to participate in its satellite programme. The Triennial welcomes projects that relate to its theme or introduce the field of applied art in a broader sense. Submissions are open until 7 January 2021.

Merle Kasonen, the Chairwoman of the Triennial says that the satellite programme welcomes exhibitions, performances, installations and other events taking place in Tallinn between May and August 2021. “The satellite programme of the Triennial allows focusing more attention on the field of applied art as a whole,” explains Merle Kasonen. “This provides the audience with a panoramic view of the field of contemporary craft – what themes artists working in various media are exploring and what the most exciting new directions are. The coherent programme gives the audience a better overview, while the events amplify one another and allow for a diverse experience.”

The main exhibition of the 8th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial titled “Translucency” opens at Kai Art Center on 28 May 2021 and welcomes visitors until 15 August 2021. The duration of the satellite programme is May–August 2021.

The main exhibition of the Triennial is curated by Danish glass artist and art historian Stine Bidstrup, who selected works from 24 international artists to interpret the theme. The exhibition includes various fields of applied art and focuses on the critical potential of translucency in contemporary craft. The Triennial’s main exhibition features the following artists from Estonia: Linda Aasaru, Eeva Käsper, Sandra Kosorotova, Julia Maria Künnap, Eve Margus-Villems, Helena Tuudelepp and Hanna-Maria Vanaküla.

The satellite programme of the previous Tallinn Applied Art Triennial in 2017 featured 26 exhibitions, performances, open studios and installation in various locations in Tallinn. The main exhibition of the Triennial was visited by around 5000 people during its three-month opening period and including its satellite programme, the total number of visitors to the Triennial was estimated at 30 000.

Please submit project proposals for the satellite programme of the Tallinn Applied Art Triennial before 7 January 2021 to info@trtr.ee. We kindly ask that you include the date, location and a short description of the event. Based on submissions, the Triennial compiles the satellite programme in early 2021. The Triennial introduces the satellite programme in its communications, however, (co)funding for projects is not available.

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial is an international art event established in 1997, organised by NGO Tallinn Applied Art Triennial Society. The Triennial contributes to the development of fields of applied art and contemporary craft.

Anu Almik

Open call for the main exhibition of the 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial was closed October 10th. 256 works/series of works were submitted altogether by 243 artists/designers from 32 countries. In the coming days an international five-member jury is going to gather in Tallinn to select the works for the main exhibition amongst the submissions.

Members of the jury are an art critic and editor André Gali from Norway, an artist and educator Sarah Gilbert from USA, a philosopher, critic and lecturer Eik Hermann from Estonia, a gallerist, writer, translator and lecturer Keiu Krikmann from Estonia and a jewellery artist and lecturer Eija Mustonen from Finland. The selection of the works is anonymous and the applicants will be notified about the jury’s decision by 21 November 2016.

Individuals and groups from all fields of applied art and design were invited to take part in the open call for the main exhibition. Works in both digital and physical form that deal with topics relating to time, tempo, different notions of time, and approaches to time were welcome.

The main exhibition of the Triennial on the theme “Ajavahe. Time Difference” will take place from 21 April 2017 to 23 July 2017 at the Estonian Museum of Applied Arts and Design in Tallinn, Estonia.

Anu Almik

In spring 2017, the 7th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial will once again invite applied arts and design professionals and fans to Estonia. The topic of the Triennial, taking place from the 21st of April until the 23rd of July, is “Ajavahe. Time Difference”, encompassing time and the different ways of perceiving it. The curatorial team of the Triennial asks artists and designers to explore whether people really are overwhelmed by the apparent overabundance of information and how they deal with it, how they perceive time and deal with extremely fast-paced life. To allow participants more time, the deadline of the open call for artists and designers to participate in the Main Exhibition of the Triennial has been extended from September 30th to 10th October 10th, 2016.

According to Merle Kasonen, the chairwoman of the Triennial, extensive time expenditure and the meaningful use of it is definitely one of the features that binds together various fields of applied art. “The current point in time seems to be a crossroad of two world views. Fast fashion and other types of fast consumption are starting to seem outdated – at least in the eyes of the responsible persons trying to see the bigger picture – and people are looking for new paths and directions. Both slowness (falling behind) and speed (extreme superficiality) have acquired equally negative connotations. At the same time, the sense of time is subjective – and this is what we invite artists and designers to explore,” Kasonen explains.

Until October 10th, the open call for the Main Exhibition of the Triennial is open to individuals and groups from all fields of applied art and design. Works in both digital and physical form, dealing with topics relating to time, tempo, different notions of time, and approaches to time are welcome. More information about the open call of the Main Exhibition can be found here. Works can be submitted digitally via Defolio.

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial is an international art event established in 1979. The goal of the Triennial is to offer new, topical and unexpected focus, which will serve to help examine contemporary applied art and design practices on as broad scale as possible. Every Triennial has new format and theme, but it has always been centered around the main exhibition with additional events and happenings supporting and explaining its main topic.

The triennial is organized by NGO Tallinn Applied Art Triennial Society.

Press contact:

Merle Kasonen
Chairwoman
Tallinn Applied Art Triennial Society
merle@trtr.ee
+372 528 1637

Anu Almik

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Announcing artist selection for the 9th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial

The open call received a high number of applications

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial announces open calls for its 2024 main exhibition and satellite programme

Satellite programme open to applications until 14 January

Tallinn Applied Art Triennial welcomes projects into its satellite programme

Open call of the main exhibition received 256 works

DEADLINE APPROACHING: Main Exhibition explores the concept of time