Brüssel
Start Date:
21.04.2016
End Date:
24.04.2016
For Art Brussels 2016 the Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM), presents a reconstruction and a reinterpretation of Anu Vahtra’s site-specific installation 17,9°. The installation was originally realised for the III Artishok Biennale (curated by Liisa Kaljula, 2012) and rebuilt for the exhibition Feeling Queezy?! (curated by Rebeka Põldsam, 2014) in the EKKM.
It employs the most peculiar space of the museum, which is situated in the former transportation bridge that has a 17,9-degree angle with the ground, therefore holding a strong physical presence by default. However, the work manifests itself when the viewer is confronted with his/her own perception of the space – the significance lies not in learning what’s depicted on the image that hangs in the middle of the room, but in realising that the frame is hanging (seemingly) at an angle. By bringing a section of the above described space as a 1:1 scale model into the art fair context we allow ourselves and the audience to explore the potentialities for further interpretation and to introduce the museum through the representation of its spatial characteristics.
The installation is accompanied by an essay written by the EAA lecturer, architecture historian and critic Ingrid Ruudi in a publication designed by the EAA Graphic Design Associate Professor Indrek Sirkel, published on the occasion of Art Brussels 2016 in collaboration with Lugemik.
A wider event programme coordinated by the Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center (ECADC) will take place in conjunction with Art Brussels and the international audiences have the opportunity to get acquainted with the work of many former Köler Prize nominees and laureates: Flo Kasearu and Visible Solutions LLC (Temnikova & Kasela Gallery at Art Brussels), Marge Monko (Ani Molnár Gallery at Art Brussels and Lugemik at Poppositions alternative art fair), Paul Kuimet (solo exhibition at the center for contemporary photography Contretype).
Anu Vahtra is an emerging young Estonian artist who is renowned for her artistic approach to site-specific space-oriented problematics and for the diligent methods of articulating them. Her installations, which often include the medium of photography, capture the surrounding space into itself, making the site become both the subject and the physical form of the artwork. Furthermore, she is one of the founders of Lugemik Publishing and Bookshop, and is also the winner of Köler Prize 2015 grand prix.
The Contemporary Art Museum of Estonia (EKKM) is a self-established non-profit initiative, that situates itself somewhere between official state-run institutions and artist-run-do-it-yourself venues. It is an unconventional concept of a contemporary art museum that works towards producing, exhibiting, collecting and popularizing local and international contemporary art while altering the prevailing working methods of established art institutions. It is a tool of self-establishment for younger generation artists, curators and art students. EKKM was founded by Anders Härm, Elin Kard, Neeme Külm, and Marco Laimre in late 2006. Since 2016 it is run by Marten Esko and Johannes Säre who joined the team in 2011.
EKKM’s participation at Art Brussels is supported by: Estonian Ministry of Culture, Estonian Contemporary Art Development Center, European Regional Development Fund, Government Office of Estonia, Cultural Endowment of Estonia, Draka Keila Cabels AS, Lugemik
Thank you: Dénes Farkas, Kadri Villand, Mihkel Säre, Raivo Väliste, Raivo Plado
Art Brussels 2016
Tour & Taxis
Avenue du Port 86c, Brussels
www.artbrussels.com
EKKM in booth F5
Preview: 21 April, 11 am – 5 pm
Vernissage: 21 April, 5 pm – 10 pm
Open: 22 April to 24 April, 11 am – 7 pm
info@ekkm.ee
www.ekkm.ee
www.anuvahtra.com