contemporary craft Archives – Tallinna rakenduskunsti triennaal

4/10/2024

This Saturday, on 5 October the main exhibition of the 9th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial The Fine Lines of Constructiveness opens at Kai Art Center. This year, the Triennial focuses on artists from the Baltic and the Nordic countries, exhibiting works around the idea of constructiveness in art and exploring how this could also be helpful in other areas of life.

The curator of the exhibition, Maret Sarapu selected 28 artists via an open call that attracted 470 submissions.

“I wanted to highlight the possibilities art has to address complicated issues, offer solace, hope and new perspectives,” said Maret Sarapu about the theme of the exhibition. “I wanted to explore how to orient yourself towards solutions, both in art and life in general, to experiment and be open to new things.”

The curator was also intrigued by the grounding effect of manual work. “Applied arts and making by hand is something people often turn to in order to find release. Thinking with hands helps to explore ideas and solutions intuitively, which may not emerge when we take a verbal or abstract thinking approach.”

The artists selected for the exhibition share common traits such as playfulness and a courage to experiment, as well as a fresh and caring perspective on material and its life cycle. Sarapu also sees a lot of concern about sustainability and people’s mental balance.

The opening weekend programme includes a curator’s tour by Maret Sarapu (5 October, 12.00) (in Estonian), a day of artist presentations (5 October, 13.30–17.00) (in English) and a workshop by Latvian artist Linda Vilka (& October, 14.00–16.00) (in English).

The main exhibition of the Triennial is accompanied by a multifaceted satellite programme made up of more than 20 events. The opening weekend includes exhibitions at A-gallery, Hop gallery, the library of the Estonian Academy of Arts and Texstudio hall at Baltika kvartal. As part of the satellite programme, on 5 October, artist Rait Rosin and his group of swervers are performing at 12.00–16.00 in Tallinn’s Põhja-Tallinn district, using unique vehicles for transportation and exploring unexpected locations in the city.

Artists participating at the 9th Tallinn Applied Art Triennial: 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), Severija Inčirauskaitė-Kriaunevičienė (Lithuania), Liisa Hietanen (Finland), Kati Kerstna (Estonia), Lauri Kilusk (Estonia), Karel Koplimets (Estonia), Arja Kärkkäinen (Finland), Krista Leesi (Eesti), Alves Ludovico (Soome), Jennie McMillen (Rootsi), Anda Munkevica (Latvia), Kadi Pajupuu (Estonia), Anu Penttinen (Finland), Tiina Puhkan (Eesti), Saara Renvall (Soome), Vilde Rudjord (Norra), 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.

Exhibition design: Kärt Maran Technical team: Tõnu Narro, Mihkel Lember and Arvi Anderson Graphic design: Laura Pappa

Exhibition The Fine Lines of Constructiveness is open at the Kai Art Center 5.10.2024–16.02.2025. Kai Art Center is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 12–18.

Guided tours: 5.10 at 12.00 and 26.10 (school break special), 9.11, 23.11, 7.12, 11.01, 25.01, 15.02 at 14.00.

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. The Triennial is supported by the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Tallinn Culture and Sports Department, DHL Express Estonia AS, OnTheGoSystems, Puumerkki, Raitwood and MULL°.

Anu Almik

20/09/2024

The graphic design for the 2024 Tallinn Applied Art Triennial titled The Fine Lines of Constructiveness was created by Laura Pappa and highlights the courage and joy of experimentation.

“For me, the theme of the Triennial evoked the beginning stages of any creative process, which from a designer’s point of view is often the most exciting stage,” said Laura Pappa about her inspirations. “I associate the title of the exhibition – the fine lines of constructiveness – with keywords like experimentation, temporal, volatile, seeking, experimentation. Above all, I wanted the design to have an experimental and dynamic character.”

The design elements feature collages of the artworks displayed at the exhibition, foregrounding the diversity of materials, techniques and approaches in contemporary craft.

“The selection of artworks is exciting and eclectic, which is why I was curious to create a symbiosis of different works and shapes,” added Pappa.

Laura Pappa is a graphic designer based in Amsterdam. She has studied at the Estonian Academy of Arts, the Gerrit Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam and Werkplaats Typografie in Arnhem.

Anu Almik

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.

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

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An exhibition about constructiveness in art opens at Kai Art Center

The Triennial’s graphic design highlights experimentation

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